Massachusetts Car Insurance

Massachusetts requires all motorists who wish to register a vehicle in the state to carry the minimum amount of liability coverage that is required by state law. Drivers must carry a minimum of bodily injury coverage totaling $20,000 dollars or more per person in any one accident and $40,000 for all parties who are injured in one accident. They are also required to carry $5,000 for property damage and a PIP policy that is worth $8,000. Massachusetts drivers are not required to carry underinsured or uninusred motorist coverage, but as in other states, this coverage is highly recommended. In the state of Massachusetts, drivers can exclude household members from driving under their policy by filling out an exclusion form, and anyone in the same household who is driving under the policy must be listed as a deferred operator.

Massachusetts is a no fault state, so anyone who is driving under a Massachusetts auto insurance policy and experiences an accident will be covered, regardless of which party is at fault. Lapsed auto insurance in Massachusetts is illegal, and there may be various fines imposed. It is very important for vehicle owners to have current and up to date Massachusetts liability insurance.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Carriers and Ratings

There are various ways to obtain auto insurance in Massachusetts. It is always a wise idea for individuals looking to purchase auto insurance to compare the Massachusetts auto insurance ratings of various carriers. The current average for car insurance in Massachusetts is $1,042, and it is considered the sixth highest state in the US. Individuals looking to purchase auto insurance can also obtain free Massachusetts auto insurance quotes from local insurance companies. Working with an agent is a good idea, as they can personalize an insurance plan and assist in finding cheap Massachusetts auto insurance for their clients. Many companies offer discounts for safe drivers, as well as drivers who have installed anti-theft devices or have extra safety features in their vehicles.

Rates are determined through credit analysis as well as the age, gender, and driving record of the person looking to purchase a policy. Past claims histories are also considered. In Massachusetts, Amica Mutual received a 100 for their Smart Rating and has a five- star rating out of five for customer satisfaction. State Farm received a 98 for their Smart Rating and also has a five out of five star rating for customer satisfaction. Local carriers also include Commerce Insurance, who offer a variety of discounts including a Homeowner/Auto insurance combination special, and a discount for drivers 65 years of age or older. By taking some time to learn about various insurance companies and comparing Massachusetts car insurance ratings, motorists will be able to find Massachusetts cheap auto insurance plans that will suit their particular driving needs.

Seat Belt Usage

Massachusetts currently has The Belts Ensure a Safer Tomorrow Coalition that is working hard to push a primary enforcement seat belt law. Primary enforcement means that an officer can stop a vehicle for the sole reason that the driver or passengers are not wearing seat belts. The change in the law should increase seat belt usage up to 13 percent, which in turn could save the lives of many drivers and passengers on Massachusetts roads. At the present time, the only time a law officer can cite a driver or passenger for seat belt usage is if they are stopped for another reason. At the present time, seat belt usage in Massachusetts is below 69 percent.

Roads and Road Conditions

Massachusetts gets its share of bad weather, including both severe rains and heavy snowfalls. Drivers can take extra precautions by adding chains and snow tires to their vehicles in the winter, and taking extra care when driving during heavy rains. Road construction can also cause issues for drivers. The Massachusetts DMV offers information on their Massachusetts 511 page that updates drivers about current road conditions like closures, flooding, ice, and heavy traffic. By assessing this information before starting out for the day, drivers can save time as well as protect themselves from potential driving issues.

Theft

The Governor of Massachusetts currently has an Auto Theft Task Force in place that is working hard to put a stop to auto theft in Massachusetts. The number of auto thefts is definitely decreasing. In 2007, there were 14,992 auto thefts in Massachusetts. In 2008, the number dropped to 12,775, and in 2009, the number dropped further to 11,735. Massachusetts motorists can add extra protection to their cars by adding alarm systems, anti-theft devices that are affordable for all budgets, and they may also invest in an immobilization system that will stop the fuel in the tank from reaching the motor so a vehicle cannot be stolen. Auto thieves steal cars for a variety of reasons, and the fact is that auto theft is often a crime of opportunity. There are specific vehicles that tend to be stolen more than others, and many models remain the same year after year. Surprisingly, many cars that are stolen are not what one would expect. They are not always expensive sports cars and luxury vehicles. The top ten most stolen vehicles in Massachusetts are listed here:

1. Honda Accord and Honda Civic

2. Toyota Camry

3. Ford F-150

4. Dodge Ram

5. C/K 1500

6. Dodge Caravan

7. Toyota Corolla

8. Nissan Sentra

9. Acura Integra

10. Jeep Cherokee

It is important for Massachusetts vehicle owners to contact law enforcement and file a police report as soon as they find out that their vehicle has been stolen, so the police can do their best to recover the vehicle and apprehend the thieves.

In Massachusetts, it is very important for all drivers to carry the required insurance. The legal and financial issues that can arise from being uninsured are just too large to take that risk. Auto insurance is easily accessible, and there is absolutely no reason for a driver not to carry insurance. Drivers can obtaincheap Massachusetts auto insurance plans online, and they can also work with a skilled auto insurance agent who will do their best to find them a plan that suits their driving needs as well as their budget.

http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/government/oca-agencies/doi-lp/