Car Insurance in Massachusetts
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Car Insurance in Massachusetts
What is car insurance?
Anytime you get behind the wheel there could be an accident, and any number of things could happen to your car even when it’s parked. Car insurance may not prevent accidents from occurring, but it does offer Massachusetts drivers essential financial protection if something happens on the road (or in the parking lot).
Car insurance provides extensive coverage for personal vehicles. Most policies protect against accidents and many other risks.
Are Massachusetts drivers required to have auto insurance?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts generally requires drivers to carry minimum amounts of auto insurance. Purchasing more coverage for better protection is highly recommended.
The state’s minimum requirements primarily involve four types of coverage. The coverage and corresponding minimum limit that most drivers are required to carry are:
- Personal Injury Protection (of $8,000/person)
- Bodily Injury Coverage (of $20,000/person and $40,000/accident)
- Property Damage Liability (of $5,000/accident)
- Uninsured Auto Coverage (if $20,000/person and $40,000/accident)
All of these limits can be increased in most cases, and there are other important coverages to consider in addition to these.
What types of protection do auto insurance policies offer to drivers?
Auto insurance policies normally offer many coverage options beyond the state’s minimum requirements. Some examples of coverages that drivers can often get include:
- Personal Injury Protection: Usually protects the driver and passengers in the insured car from injuries sustained in an accident. Abbreviated PIP.
- Medical Expenses Coverage: Usually protects the driver and passengers by covering medical costs for injuries.
- Bodily Injury Coverage: Usually protects other drivers, passengers and pedestrians from injuries sustained in an accident.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Usually protects the insured vehicle from damages not related to collisions, such as instances of theft, vandalism, fire, animal strikes and falling tree branches.
- Collision Coverage: Usually protects the insured vehicle from damages sustained in accidents with other vehicles.
- Gap Coverage: Usually covers the difference between a loan or lease’s remaining balance, and a vehicle’s actual value after depreciation.
- Property Damage Liability Coverage: Usually protects against damage to other property, including other drivers’ vehicles, during an accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Usually protects against accidents caused by drivers with no or inadequate insurance coverage.
The limits and deductibles of coverages can usually be adjusted on a coverage-by-coverage basis, and much higher limits than the minimum requirements are available. An insurance agent who specializes in auto insurance can help drivers select coverages and limits that are right for them.
What coverages do lenders mandate for financed or leased vehicles?
Besides the state requirements, drivers who finance or lease a vehicle are generally required by lenders to carry specific coverages. Lenders typically require collision, comprehensive and gap insurance coverages. These together help ensure that the lender can recoup their costs in full even if the financed vehicle is totaled.
Is Massachusetts an at-fault or no-fault state?
Massachusetts is considered a no-fault state, meaning that a driver’s own auto policy usually pays claims regardless of who might be responsible for an accident. The no-fault system generally provides prompt payments on claims, and reduces litigation costs between insurers.
Are insurance companies permitted to use credit scores when determining premiums?
Massachusetts prohibits insurers from factoring credit scores into premium calculations. While other states still allow this practice, Massachusetts hasn’t for years. It was one of the first states to pass laws keeping insurance companies from doing this.
How can drivers obtain car insurance for their vehicles?
If you have a vehicle in Massachusetts and want to explore new insurance options, contact the independent insurance agents at Platinum Insurance. We’ve worked with many drivers, and have the expertise necessary to assist you in finding a good car insurance policy.
