The Best Car Insurance Companies in Massachusetts in 2024

The car insurance Massachusetts drivers are offered is among the most affordable for a no-fault state. Additionally, the Bay State’s minimum policy has relatively low limits, meaning you can get around by paying very little for auto insurance.

Nonetheless, it’s smarter to find the least expensive insurer and buy a policy with higher limits from them. To help you with that, we compared quotes from all the major MA auto insurance providers. We also ranked the best companies using the most recent and reliable studies in customer service and financial strength.

Finally, we compared prices in the six most populous cities in Massachusetts, as well as provided a detailed guide on the state’s auto insurance laws. If you’re looking for affordable, high-quality protection insurance in MA, you’ll find all the resources for your search here.

The Overall Winner: Amica Insurance

The choice for the best insurer in Massachusetts wasn’t easy since various companies excelled in different categories. In the end, we opted for Amica due to its reasonable rates and highly reliable customer service. To begin, Amica holds first place in J.D. Power’s 2019 ranking in the New England region. It’s the only company besides USAA to achieve the full five stars. Amica also scores well in financial strength. Its A. M. Best rating is “A+,” or “Excellent,” which is the second-best rating possible.

One small downside of Amica is that you’ll find more exciting features and a higher number of optional coverages from bigger companies like Allstate. Amica’s offer seems comparatively plain. Also, Progressive and Geico offer less expensive policies. Nonetheless, if you can stretch your budget a little bit, Amica is worth every dime—it provides the best car insurance in MA.

Choose Amica for the finest customer service and reasonable prices.

Look elsewhere if you want a variety of optional coverages or the lowest rates.

The Runner-up: Allstate Insurance

Allstate—the fourth biggest insurer in the US by market share—takes second place in our Massachusetts rankings. It’s a combination of various factors that make it a solid option. For starters, Allstate holds fourth place overall in J.D. Power’s 2019 rankings in the New England region, scoring four out of five stars. Furthermore, doing business with Allstate provides all the advantages of a bigger insurer. You’ll enjoy the benefits of many optional coverages, various discounts, and excellent financial stability.

However, that privilege comes at an extra charge—Allstate is among the most expensive options in Massachusetts. Nonetheless, there’s no auto insurance company in Massachusetts that offers great prices without forcing a compromise. Progressive and Geico, for instance, score lower in customer satisfaction. That’s why if you want superior customer service and all the perks a bigger insurer offers, Allstate is the one to choose.

Choose Allstate for reliable customer service, multiple discounts/optional coverages, and solid financial strength.

Look elsewhere if you want the cheapest insurer.

The Cheapest Option: Geico Insurance

If you want the most affordable car insurance in MA, Geico is the way to go. And the great news is, its customer service record is impressive to boot. Geico boasts of a four-star rating in J.D. Power’s 2019 rankings in New England, and holds third place overall. Furthermore, its NIAC ratio—another indicator of the quality of customer service—is 0.62. This confirms that Geico gets 38% fewer complaints about its auto insurance services in MA than an average company of its size.

In other departments, Geico gets admirable results too. For starters, it’s the second largest insurer by market share in the US, indicating strong financial stability. Its A. M. Best rating of “A++,” the highest possible, only confirms this narrative. Additionally, the company’s website is intuitive and looks polished, while its mobile app is among the highest-rated insurance apps on the market. It’s worth noting that Geico doesn’t offer certain notable optional coverages, like GAP insurance. Still, if we’re choosing our insurer by getting car insurance quotes in MA from different companies, Geico would be near the top of our list.

Choose Geico for the lowest prices and the best financial strength ratings.

Look elsewhere if having the most reliable customer service is your cup of tea.

The Best for High-Risk Drivers: Progressive

If you’re a young or an inexperienced driver, or you recently piled up some citations, Progressive is the company for you. It was founded as a niche insurer that specializes in high-risk drivers, but it grew to become the third largest car insurance company in the US. Still, it stayed true to its roots: Progressive offers the best car insurance in MA for new drivers and those with a driving record that’s not pristine.

And it’s not just high-risk customers who should consider Progressive. The company is the second most affordable insurer in Massachusetts. It also scores well in the customer service department. Progressive ranks fifth overall in J.D. Power’s 2019 regional study, scoring three out of five starts. Additionally, it’s financial strength isn’t shabby either. Progressive has the second best A. M. rating, “A+,” proving that the company is capable of paying customers’ claims.

On top of that, Progressive, like all major insurers, offers many optional coverages and interesting features. Our favorite is the Name Your Price tool. You just need to provide some basic info and enter how much you would like to pay for your policy, and the AI creates a policy for you. All in all, Progressive auto insurance in MA offers a combination of low prices and strong performance that’s hard to ignore.

Choose Progressive for affordable rates and solid overall performance.

Look elsewhere if you want the most reliable customer service or the absolutely lowest prices.

The Best for Military: USAA

Aside from our Oregon guide, USAA dominates our state-wide studies. The situation is no different in Massachusetts. Still, we should first note that USAA offers its insurance only to former and current US army members and their close families. But that particular category will be hard-pressed to find a better insurer. In addition to its many optional coverages and discounts, USAA offers some of the cheapest MA auto insurance quotes available.

Also, its website and mobile app are intuitive and sleek. On top of that, USAA has the strongest A. M. Best rating: “A++,” or “Superior.” Finally, USAA gets a full five stars and the highest possible scores in the 2019 J.D. Power studies on the national and regional level. And if you want to stretch your cooperation with USAA beyond car insurance, the company offers banking services and financial advice. If you’re eligible, we urge you to give USAA a chance.

Choose USAA for its superior overall performance.

Look elsewhere if you are not a US army member or close relative.

The Cheapest Car Insurance in MA by City

Car insurance prices vary substantially depending on the place you call home. To check how much premiums cost in each city, we collected quotes with full coverage limits from all the prominent insurance companies available in Massachusetts. We opted for the full coverage instead of the legal minimum since we think this option provides superior protection for a relatively small price hike. We would advise any customer who can afford full coverage to buy such car insurance in MA.

Boston

Boston is Massachusetts’ most populous city and its capital. It’s also one of the oldest towns in America. Puritan settlers from England founded the city in 1630 and named it after their hometown. It’s also arguably the most historically significant city in early US history—what with the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Boston Tea Party, and the Boston Massacre. That’s why it’s no surprise that over 20 million tourists visit the city annually.

Today, Boston is a leading center of higher education and home to many students. Harvard, the oldest university in the US, and MIT, Boston University, and Tufts are all nearby. However, back in 1984, the state banned alcohol-focused happy hour specials, so the younger population won’t be unwinding after class that way!

First thing you should know about car insurance in Boston is that our overall winner, Amica, is unavailable. Additionally, our runner-up, Allstate, is too expensive for our liking in this city. Our top choice would be Geico, followed by Progressive car insurance. MAPFRE, the biggest regional insurer in Massachusetts, is also a solid pick.

Worcester

Worcester is the second most populous city in Massachusetts. It’s located 40 miles west of the capital. Worcester was separate from Boston, but the recent rapid expansion made it the westernmost part of Greater Boston. The symbol of the city is a heart because Worcester is often called the heart of the commonwealth. Speaking of hearts and love, Esther Howland, a Worcester native designed the first ever Valentine card.

Amica auto insurance is the best in MA, and that’s also true in Worcester, despite being the most expensive option. If you can’t stretch your budget that much, Geico and Progressive are worthwhile alternatives.

Springfield

Springfield was the first American city to get that name. Like Boston, it had a turbulent and historically significant past. George Washington decided it should be home to the Springfield Armory due to its central position. Consequently, Springfield played a pivotal role in the American Revolution since it was the site of Shays’ Rebellion. Today, you can see the largest collection in the world of historic American firearms in Springfield.

Although Amica is our overall best car insurance company in MA, it’s just too expensive to recommend univocally. In our opinion, Allstate is the finest option here. It brings the perfect balance of high customer service ratings and reasonable prices. If you want even more affordable coverage, Progressive, Geico, and MAPFRE are all solid picks.

Lowell

Lowell was one of the birthplaces of the American Industrial Revolution since many factories and textile mills are located in the city. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Lowell carries the name of Francis Cabot Lowell, a local notable in the Industrial Revolution. The city is also home to many Cambodians since it accepted refugees after the Cambodian genocide.

According to our comparison of car insurance quotes in MA and considering its overall excellent performance, Amica stands out as the clear winner. Our runner up, Allstate, is too expensive in Lowell to recommend. If you’re looking for a budget option, Geico is the number one pick, while Progressive and Liberty Mutual are all worth considering.

Cambridge

Cambridge is where Harvard and MIT are located. It was the capital of Massachusetts until 1630, and for most of its history, it was a port. Canals were dug through the marshland to enable ships to access the city. Because Cambridge was a port, many immigrants from all corners of the world came looking for a job. This made Cambridge one of the most ethnically diverse places in the US.

Based on our Massachusetts auto insurance comparison, Geico is the optimal choice in Cambridge. It’s by far the cheapest option, and it offers reliable customer service and premier financial strength. Amica and Allstate outperform Geico in customer service, but they charge more than twice as much for their policies. Still, we would pick them over Progressive, since this company is more expensive than usual in Cambridge.

Brockton

Brockton is the seventh most populous city in Massachusetts. It’s often called the City of Champions, because all-time boxing greats Rocky Marciano and Marvin Haggler are Brockton natives. Did you know that Marciano is the only heavyweight boxing champion to retire undefeated? He was undersized for a heavyweight, especially by today’s standards, but he had a strong jaw and devastating power.

Our Amica auto insurance quote in Brockton, MA, was just too expensive for us to recommend this company universally. In fact, insurers charge more in Brockton than in any other place in Massachusetts. Geico and Progressive seem like the most affordable and appealing option, despite scoring only three out of five stars in customer service. If you can stretch your budget a little bit, give Allstate a chance too.

The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Massachusetts

The average in MA is $247 per month, based on our research in multiple cities across different age demographics. We selected the full coverage option in our quote comparison. Our annual mileage was 10,000, and our reference vehicle was a 2018 Honda Accord.

Since Massachusetts is a no-fault state, it has relatively inexpensive car insurance. The affordability can’t match the cheapest states like North Carolina, but considering how the no-fault system drives prices up, MA drivers have it good.

The main reason for the state’s comparatively affordable car insurance prices is the low number of uninsured drivers. According to recent research by the Insurance Information Institute, there are only two states with fewer uninsured drivers than Massachusetts. Additionally, MA ranks in a lower tier in its number of car crashes in the US.

Massachusetts Car Insurance Laws

Massachusetts’ Minimum Insurance Requirements

These are the minimum limits your car insurance policy in Massachusetts must carry according to the state government.

• Bodily Injury Liability – $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident

This coverage pays for the injuries you’ve caused to others in an at-fault accident (it may include other medical-related expenses too, such as legal fees or lost income).

• Property Damage Liability – $5,000 per accident

This covers any damage you caused to another person’s property. Usually, that property is their vehicle, but it can include personal belongings such as tablets, watches, or stationary objects like fences and mailboxes.

• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury – $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident

This car insurance coverage for Massachusetts residents reimburses medical expenses for the injuries you suffered from being hit by a driver without auto insurance.

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – $8,000 per person

This coverage pays yours and your passengers’ medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.

Massachusetts’ minimum requirements are extensive, but none of the limits are particularly high. This means that, despite MA being one of 12 no-fault states, its minimum car insurance prices are still only slightly above the average. Consequently, we would advise any driver that can afford full coverage auto insurance in MA to get it. It provides substantially better protection for a relatively small price increase.

SR22 Insurance in Massachusetts

SR22 is not a type of coverage but a certificate your insurer provides to the local DMV as proof that your policy limits are adequate. The authorities will often order you to get SR22 after a severe violation such as a DUI or reckless driving. You’ll have to provide SR22 for three years. After that, you’ll become eligible to buy regular car insurance.

There’s no SR22 program in Massachusetts for full-time residents. The state has a unique procedure for license reinstatement. Nonetheless, you’ll still need SR22 in Massachusetts if you had a violation in another state that triggered the suspension of your driving privileges.

The Massachusetts Auto Insurance Plan (MAIP)

MAIP is a plan introduced by the MA government for drivers who were denied car insurance. As of April 2009, auto insurance companies in MA are no longer required to accept every customer. You are eligible to enter the MAIP program after just one insurer rejected you.

Once you do that, an agent must submit a MAIP application on your behalf, and you’ll be randomly assigned to a company licensed in MA. They’ll be obliged to offer you coverage in most instances. However, it’s reasonable to expect they’ll charge you more for car insurance. If one insurer rejects you, it’s best to try with 3–4 more companies before you take the MAIP route.

Driving in Massachusetts When You Aren’t a Full-Time Resident

Massachusetts has relatively strict rules for out-of-state drivers. If you aren’t a full-time resident, you can spend up to 30 days in the state annually without getting an MA license and Massachusetts auto insurance. It doesn’t matter if this period is consecutive or not.

Non-resident students attending a Massachusetts university or military personnel on active duty can be exempt from this rule.

No-Fault Laws

Massachusetts is one of 12 no-fault states, meaning you’ll rely on your PIP coverage and you’ll have to make a claim against your insurance company if you suffered an injury in an accident. That’s why it’s smart to buy higher limits than the minimum $8,000, especially given how affordable auto insurance in MA is for a PIP system.

You should also know that Personal Injury Protection doesn’t cover “pain and suffering” or any similar non-monetary damage you suffered in an accident. That’s why MA allows you to sue the at-fault driver in some instances.

According to Nolo, you can start litigation against the at-fault driver for one of the following reasons:

– The injury expenses the damaged party suffered is $2,000 or more.

– The injuries are such that they include substantial loss of hearing or sight, permanent and severe disfigurement, or fractured bones.

Price Optimization

The authorities in Michigan have taken no action thus far against the practice of price optimization. This means that Massachusetts auto insurance companies can rely on non-underwriting factors when calculating rates. And according to the data by Insurance Journal, nearly 45% of the largest US insurers use price optimization software like Earnix. Essentially, the software estimates the maximum amount you’ll pay for car insurance, and the company tries to charge you that exact price.

That’s why it’s prudent to shop around every now and then—and let your insurer know you’re looking at other quotes before committing to a renewal. They’ll offer you their best deal to keep you as a customer. Remember, there’s no reward for loyalty in car insurance, no matter what the advertisements say.

Tips for Finding Cheap Car Insurance in MA

Compare Multiple Quotes

Comparing quotes whenever renewal time comes around does more than just help you avoid being a victim of price optimization. Every insurer has its procedure of calculating premiums, meaning one driver may get vastly different offers from different insurers.

Moreover, some companies, like Geico and Progressive, have a more aggressive approach and offer low prices from the get-go. On the other hand, companies like Allstate and State Farm (not available to new customers in MA) focus more on an extensive list of extra features and strong marketing.

For all these reasons, the only way to get the cheapest coverage is to compare what the different auto insurance companies in MA have to offer. We would make a shortlist of at least five insurers to get quotes from and add more if we don’t like the results. The whole process of getting quotes shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.

Read Reviews

Once you’ve found which companies are the most affordable, you’ll need to know if their products are any good. Reading car insurance reviews will help you do just that. You’ll learn how each insurer scores in customer service and financial strength and what discounts and optional coverages they offer. We would even advise, at our peril, that you check reviews from different sources of your shortlisted Massachusetts automobile insurance companies before you commit.

Check the Discounts

Even if the insurer of your choice is an affordable one, you can get a better deal by taking full advantage of the discounts. That’s why you should always select all the car insurance discounts you’re eligible for. If you’re getting an online quote, that’s just a couple of clicks.

If you communicate with an agent by phone, you’ll need to put your game face on (or game voice, we should say). Insist that the agent list all the available discounts. Often, it even pays off to take proactive measures—like enrolling in a defensive driving course or maintaining good grades—to get cheap auto insurance in MA.

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