Reader’s Question:

I am 17 years old and I live in Boston Massachusetts. Is it possible for me to insure a car under my name?

Karen

Boston Massachusetts

According to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) young driver under the age of 18 can insure a vehicle depending on the guidelines of the car insurance companies in Massachusetts.

Generally car insurance providers do not allow a person below the age of 18, to sign on a car insurance policy contract without a parent or legal guardian.

Since you said you are 17 years old thus still a minor, you typically need to have a parent or a guardian to insure a vehicle in Massachusetts. As you likely are aware getting car insurance is part of the registration process in Massachusetts therefore you would need to acquire car insurance on your vehicle before you can register it.

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that if you get married you will get lower car insurance rate than being single? I live in Massachusetts and I will get married next month. I just want to make sure this is true so I can take advantage of the lower premium.

Frank

Boston, Massachusetts

Yes it is possible that you can get lower car insurance premium if you are married. It would be much better if your spouse also have clean driving record. It is viewed by car insurance companies that married couples are safer drivers than single individual. Maturity and being responsible are also seen in married couples. If your spouse has a driving record, thats a different case already.

The Division of Insurance in Massachusetts lists a 5% discount on your car insurance premium rate that can be applied for compulsory coverage and, if chosen, optional coverages if you own 2 or more vehicles insured by the same car insurance company. Usually this is known as a multi-car discount.

Reader’s Question:

I’m looking for an affordable new driver car insurance here in Boston MA but so far, everything seems so expensive. Can you help me?

Desmond

Boston MA

I am assuming that you are a new driver since you are looking for a coverage for first-time drivers in Boston Massachusetts. As such, a new driver car insurance is likely to be expensive especially that you are male. This is because based on statistics, many of the car accidents on the road involve male drivers. Worse, a lot of these accidents were fatal. As more and more young, male drivers get into accidents, the overall population of your gender and age group are affected. You all share in the risk that insurance companies will associate with your group. Because of this, it is not surprising that you have not found anything affordable.

The first thing you need to do is to get the new driver car insurance from the same provider as the rest of your family. Insurance companies could offer you a discount if your family buys all of its insurance needs from one company. Aside from getting a discount, you experience the convenience of getting coverage from only one company. Don’t expect a huge discount though because you are still new to driving and would need to prove your responsibility on the road. Within the next three years, drive as safety as you can and avoid using your car too much. That way, you are already assured of a lower rate when you next renew your new driver car insurance.

Another thing that can lower your premium rate is by paying annually. This may seem like a lot of money but you’ll ultimately save money from doing this. Paying annually lets you save about 12 percent compared to paying monthly. Even if the monthly payments sound more affordable, the total premiums you pay at the end of the year is considerably higher.

Finally, you can enroll in defensive driving. As a new driver, you’ll benefit from this. Tell the insurance company that you are taking these lessons. They normally give some discounts for drivers taking this course.

Reader’s Question:

My license got suspended in Providence, Rhode Island. I was required to get an SR22 insurance. I now live in Boston Massachusetts. How can I purchase SR22 here in MA.

Leah

Boston Massachusetts

If your drivers got suspended RI, that means your license is also suspended in MA. Some said that it is not easy to get SR22 insurance in Massachusetts because of the number of insurers that only operate Massachusetts. If you are having a hard time finding an insurer that will file the SR22 insurance for you in Boston MA, you can contact the Massachusetts’s Division of Insurance.

To help you reinstate your driving privilege and get SR22 insurance, here are some steps to follow.

1. Go to the RMV. Provide the documentation that shows the need for an SR-22 insurance from the state mandating this filing.

2. If there are no other issues with your Massachusetts driver’s license the officer will restore your Massachusetts driving privileges for thirty days so you can legally operate a vehicle in MA for a period of thirty days, but not yet in the state mandating the SR-22 insurance.

3. File the SR22 insurance and the state mandating it should issue you a release therefore restoring your driving privileges in that state. A copy of this release will then need to be given to the hearing officer at the RMV. You need to meet the requirement within the thirty day period given to you otherwise your drivers license will be suspended again.

Reader’s Question:

I live in Massachusetts and Im 17 years old. I was just wondering if I it is possible to get car insurance. I bought my own car and would like to register it under my name.

Ricky

Boston, MA

Yes, but it depends on the car insurance providers in Massachusetts if they can allow a teen to buy car insurance. Generally, car insurance providers do not allow teens under the age of eighteen, to sign on a contract without a parent or legal guardian because the car insurance policy is a legal contract. The insurance providers want to protect themselves in that laws. So therefore if you are you will probably need a parent or guardian signing on as well the contract can be enforced with the parental party if the you try to back out of it.

Since you are 17 years old in the state of Massachusetts you can purchase Massachusetts auto insurance but will typically need a parent or guardian to sign on with you to obtain an insurance policy for the vehicle you own.

In addition to that obtaining insurance is part of the registration process in the state of Massachusetts so you would need to obtain Massachusetts auto insurance on your vehicle before you can register it under your name.

Reader’s Question:

I miss the days when it was the state that determined the premiums for auto insurance in Massachusetts. It is a headache now that I have to sift through all the paperwork!

Madeleine.

Boston, MA

While it was convenient for insurance companies and the general public alike when the state fixed premium charges on auto insurance in Massachusetts, it was not cost effective, either. It used to be that people pay the same premiums depending on which rate category he or she belongs to. This was rather unfair for insurers, especially when the driver is high risk.

If you think about it, it is quite unfair for the consumer too. There will be people who would be shortchanged by the fact that no matter how safe they are, how clean their driving records is, or even if they do not need some of the coverage being offered, they would have to pay for it.

Fortunately, auto insurance in Massachusetts is now moving towards managed competition, thereby giving consumers more flexibility and more chances to save.

To make it easier for you, the State of Massachusetts has a set compulsory coverage for auto insurance. These include coverage of:

• $20,000 per son for bodily injuries;
• $40,000 per accident for bodily injuries of all persons involved in the accident;
• $8,000 for personal injuries; and
• $5,000 for damages to property.

All the other insurance types are optional. Take note, however, Massachusetts ranks among the highest in terms of property damage claims and injury claims in the country, even as it follows a no-fault system. Therefore, it is advisable to take out additional insurance coverage.

Here are some tips to save on auto insurance:

• Shop around for the best coverage at the best price. This includes ensuring that you only pay for the coverage you need.
• Ask for discounts. Senior citizens often have a special discount for auto insurance premiums.
• Try to get a group policy.
• Drive safely and maintain a clean driving record.
• Get a good anti-theft device for your car.

Reader’s Question:

Insurance for young drivers in Massachusetts is certainly hard to find in my state. I’ve tried my local shopping mall, looked on the internet but they are all so expensive. I’m 19, and I drive an old Ford that my dad gave me.

Richard,

Boston, Massachusetts

Hi Richard,

Unfortunately, your age, and being a man counts against you when it comes to insurance for young drivers in Massachusetts. Many drivers from Massachusetts find insurance for young drivers expensive to say the least. However, there may be a few avenues you could explore.

Firstly, you say your dad gave you the car. If you still live at home and your dad also drives it may be cheaper for him to own the car and get the insurance quote with you named as an insured driver. This sometimes helps. But make sure this is actually the true situation because misleading to insurance for young drivers in Massachusetts companies leads to all kinds of problems.

Secondly, decide what level of to insurance for young drivers in Massachusetts you require. Whilst you will want to ensure you have adequate liability insurance you might not need to over the ‘old Ford’ that may not cost much to replace or repair if it was damaged or destroyed by fire or stolen.

Thirdly, review your annual mileage estimate and try to minimize this. Furthermore, consider taking additional driver training to help you avoid trouble on the roads.