Hello everyone! I just moved to Massachusetts early this year, and I’m thinking of buying a car soon. Can anybody tell me the insurance requirements for this state?

Alex

Boston, MA

Hi, Alex, and welcome to Massachusetts! Here’s some facts on Massachusetts auto insurance to make sure that you can register your vehicle and drive legally. The minimum Massachusetts auto insurance coverage required are as follows:

• A Bodily injury coverage of $20,000 per person injured in one accident with a maximum of $40,000 for all injured persons in one accident.
• A Property damage coverage of $5,000 for damages to or destruction of other people’s property one accident.
• Lastly, a Personal injury protection of up to $8,000 in medical and work loss expenses, regardless of who is at fault.

When registering your vehicle, you will need an RMV-1 form from your dealer which is an application for registration. Get this form and take it to your Massachusetts auto insurance agent and have them affix their stamp on it after you purchase your auto insurance. Remember, without the Massachusetts auto insurance company’s stamp, you will not be able to register your vehicle.

By the way, I personally think that the minimum requirements of Massachusetts auto insurance are kinda low, so you may want to look into purchasing additional insurance coverage. Just to make sure you don’t use up all your savings paying for the bills if you do get into an accident. Think about it, okay?

I heard that auto insurance in Massachusetts fall under the no fault system. I need to have some information regarding this because I am about to purchase my first car.

Samson

Cambridge, MA

You are correct that auto insurance in Massachusetts function under the no fault auto insurance system. This is the system which the state of Massachusetts, along with 11 other states (Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, New York, Kansas, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Utah, Kentucky and Minnesota) and Puerto Rico, have in answer to the numerous problems of the traditional tort system.

Although, at first, you may think that it automatically means that motorists are covered in an accident regardless of who is at fault, I am afraid that this is not the case. What the no fault auto insurance system means that it is mandatory according to the laws of the state to be provided with personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, and at the same time be only allowed to sue under certain conditions.

What are these conditions? They are normally referred to as thresholds. The states of Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan have verbal thresholds. Massachusetts, along with Kansas, Hawaii, Minnesota, North Dakota, Utah and Kentucky, has a monetary threshold. But in New Jersey, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, drivers may still have the right to sue for any vehicle-related injuries because they function under the “choice” no fault system.

Anyway, under the no fault law in Massachusetts, motorists may only be able to sue for damages if the severity of damages exceeds the specified lawsuit monetary threshold. It is in the same way that you are protected from being sued. So, basically, if you involve yourself in an accident, your auto insurance provider shall cover for all the payments if it does not exceed the specified limit. You will also not be allowed to sue the other party if the amount of damages and losses does not exceed the specified monetary limit.

To get more information, you should go to Massachusetts’ Department of Motor Vehicles Web site.

I moved to a few months ago to Brockton. My car is registered and insured in Georgia I was advised by friends to get a Massachusetts license and transfer my auto insurance here, and I’m in the process of doing just that. I want to know what are the insurance requirements to help me with my Massachusetts auto insurance quotes?

Jack

Brockton, MA

Jack, the basic coverage for the state of Massachusetts includes Bodily Injury Liability from $20 thousand up to $40 thousand; Property Damage Liability with a limit of $5 thousand, while the Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury has limits between $20 and $40 thousand, and lastly, Personal Injury Protection of $8 thousand.

The state of Massachusetts has one of the most expensive average auto insurance in the country. Though there is a decreasing trend from 2005 to 2006, the amount is still considerable when compared to Georgia. So, some saving tips: You might want to look out for discounts. You could get insurance discounts from changing auto insurance companies from Georgia to Massachusetts; I would suggest getting in touch with your current provider regarding the move. You might qualify for some discounts, so be aware of statistics. The type of car you are driving would matter. If you are driving a regular inexpensive passenger vehicle, then you can save, but if the type of car you are driving has a high theft rate, you might be paying more. Brockton in 2005 registered 738 auto thefts, so the type of car you would be driving, the model and the brand, where you park your car at night or you garage address, would all be taken into consideration. So, it would be best if invested in anti-theft devices.

I recently moved to Boston. I’m not very knowledgeable with auto insurance in Massachusetts. Is it a no fault state or is it a tort state? Also, could you please tell me more about their mandatory and optional coverage?

Kim

Boston, MA

Most people think that shopping for auto insurance policies in Massachusetts is difficult, The state may have strict rules with regard to auto insurance, but I do not see problem with that, especially if you’re talking about the safety of yourself, your personal belonging, your family and the people around you who could get involved in any car accident. Most insurance companies don’t like the way the state sets the rate yearly and dictates the price, but this is good for people as insurers won’t be able to manipulate insurance rates.

Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state, wherein your insurance company makes the payment regardless of whose fault it is but with a specified limitations. The state requires a minimum amount of auto insurance of $20K per person for a total of $40K per accident of Bodily Injury Liability, and Property damage with a minimum of $5K also known as 20/40/5 coverage. Another required element is the Personal Injury Protection, which requires a minimum coverage of $8K. Uninsured motorist and bodily injury caused by an uninsured car is another compulsory element in auto insurance in Massachusetts with a minimum coverage of $20K per person and $40K per accident required. There are also eight optional coverage (examples are medical payments, collision, limited collision, etc), which your agent will surely be happy to explain further.

What does a beginner driver need to know about Massachusetts auto insurance?

Tara

Boston, MA

Massachusetts is one of several American states that have adopted the no-fault policy. In the unfortunate event of a car accident, the motorists involved can immediately be recompensed through their own auto insurance policy. This type of auto insurance policy, known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), is the foremost requirement mandated by the state for its resident motorists. By using the no-fault policy, the state has cut back on the number of litigations that result from car accidents every year. Since PIP is not dependent on who will be declared responsible for causing the accident, motorists no longer have to wait for the resolution of tedious legal proceedings in order to receive benefits. Such benefits can help in the expenses for much-needed medical treatment and can also recompense lost wages or even funeral expenses if the need arises. PIP can work well in tandem with one’s health insurance. In fact, most motorists who already have a good health insurance policy purchase only the minimum coverage of PIP.

The no-fault policy, however, accommodates certain exceptions. There are cases when the injuries caused by a car accident can be quite severe. The resulting medical expenses can turn out to be high enough to exceed auto insurance coverage limits. When this occurs, the injured party can file a lawsuit against the one responsible for the accident, to sue him or her for injuries and damages. Thus, liability coverage is also a requirement in this state. The minimum limits for liability in Massachusetts are $20,000 for the medical expenses of a single driver, $40,000 for the combined medical expenses of all occupants in the vehicle (if there was more than one), and $5,000 for property damage.

Hi, I’m a 61-year-old retired teacher. I just bought a 1993 Honda Civic and moved to this place three months ago. I was wondering: How much would auto insurance in Massachusetts cost me?

Dennis

Springfield, Massachusetts

Hi, Dennis. In these times of financial uncertainty, the cost of auto insurance in Massachusetts has gone past the $1,000 mark. However, the cost of insurance will depend on a lot of factors. For example, being a senior citizen not above 65 means you are viewed by auto insurance companies as a low risk driver, and therefore they will give you a cheaper price for auto insurance (however, rates go up if your age is past 65 or 70). Some companies will offer discounts also to car owners that have white-collar jobs. Your driving record also will matter. “Good” drivers are charged lower premiums while drivers with DUI records are charged insanely high auto insurance costs.

Where you live will also be taken into account in auto insurance costs. In Springfield, for example, the average travel time is about 30 minutes. The heavier the traffic you have in your area, the greater the chances of a car accident. Where you park your car will also be a factor especially at night. If you live in a neighborhood that is not safe, your car insurance costs are bound to increase. Your car (1993 Honda Civic) is also included in the top ten lists of cars stolen in the Massachusetts area, so even if it is less expensive, if your car is easily stolen, then that will be factored into auto insurance costs.

The best way to find the lowest auto insurance available is to compare rates online. Go to the top insurance companies, and they will give you a precise quote on your auto insurance. Some even offer online chat service, where you can get advice from car insurance agents on how to lower your premium.

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If I get involved in a car accident outside my state, will my Massachusetts auto insurance provide me with coverage?

Richard

Boston, MS

Most auto insurance companies in the State of Massachusetts do not provide coverage to their policyholders if they get in a car crash outside of the state. It is then very important to read your Massachusetts auto insurance policy thoroughly and discuss this possible issue with your local insurance agent. In most cases, to have coverage when driving outside your home state, you would need to obtain Optional Bodily Injury to Others. This is a type of liability insurance that extends coverage to a driver who may be operating a motor vehicle anywhere in the United States and Canada. This coverage also shoulders the costs incurred for medical treatments of guest passengers in your car. Since medical care and car repair costs are gradually increasing, there is a more than even chance that the minimum liability coverage you are carrying may not be enough to cover the expenses of the other party. If that turns out to be the case then the other motorist has every right to file a lawsuit against you in order to collect for the remaining costs. This can happen even in a no fault state. It would then be very sensible to purchase higher Bodily Injury to Others coverage limits especially if there are properties and other assets you wish to safeguard.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance policy, Car Insurance Company, liability insurance