Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, Massachusetts compulsory bodily injury liability coverage must be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (raised from $20,000/$40,000), and property damage liability must be at least $30,000 per accident (raised from $5,000), i.e. 25/50/30. Every policy must also include personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage at no less than the bodily injury liability limits. A motor vehicle liability bond or deposit may be used in place of a policy.

Question 2

Is Massachusetts a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts is a no-fault state for injuries: every auto policy must provide personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, which are paid in place of damages otherwise recoverable in tort. Policyholders may choose a PIP deductible ($100 to $8,000) for themselves and household members. An injured person may sue for pain and suffering only if reasonable and necessary medical expenses exceed $2,000, or the injury causes death, loss of a body member, permanent and serious disfigurement, certain loss of sight or hearing, or a fracture.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured motorist coverage is required: no auto policy may be issued for a Massachusetts-registered vehicle unless it covers bodily injury caused by uninsured and hit-and-run drivers in at least the amounts required for bodily injury liability. Underinsured motorist coverage (when the at-fault driver's limits are lower than your UM limits) is optional; the policyholder must be notified that it may be purchased.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts ties insurance to registration: an insurer's certificate of coverage is filed with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and when an insurer gives notice that a policy is cancelled, the Registrar revokes the vehicle's registration on the cancellation date unless a new insurance certificate for the same vehicle has been received.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Operating, or allowing to be operated or to remain on a way, a vehicle without the required insurance, bond or deposit is punishable by a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to one year in a house of correction, or both (a first offense may be handled with a fine of not more than $500). A person convicted or pleading guilty also owes the state's residual market plan the greater of $500 or one year's premium for the highest-rated territory and class, and the driver's license is suspended for 60 days, or for one year for a second or later conviction within six years.

Question 6

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Auto policies must be noncancellable by the insurer except for nonpayment of premium; fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or renewal; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or a regular household driver during the policy period; failure to allow a required vehicle inspection; or certain coverages insurers may refuse to offer (with separate rules for the first 90 days of a renewal period). Written notice of cancellation stating the specific reasons must be given at least 20 days before the effective date. A person aggrieved by a cancellation notice may appeal to the Board of Appeal on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds. Refunds due after cancellation must be paid within 30 days of demand.

Question 7

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Private passenger auto rates may not be based in whole or in part on credit information (including credit-based insurance scores), and insurers may not refuse to issue or renew a policy based on credit information. Risks may not be grouped by sex or marital status, and may not be grouped by age except to give drivers 65 and older the required 25% reduction from the lowest applicable rate. Premiums may not be increased for an at-fault accident that does not meet the statutory definition of a minor or major accident. The Insurance Commissioner sets a classification with at least 15 rating territories.

Question 8

When is a car a total loss in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts does not use a fixed percentage. A "total loss salvage motor vehicle" is one that was stolen and not recovered, or damaged to the point that the owner (or the insurer, if insured) considers it uneconomical to repair. An insurer that acquires such a vehicle must surrender the title and apply for a salvage title within ten days; if the owner keeps the vehicle after a total loss settlement, the owner must surrender the title and apply for a salvage title within ten days. A salvage vehicle cannot be titled or registered for road use until the reconstruction requirements are met.

Question 9

How do you transfer a car title in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

When selling a titled vehicle, the owner must, at delivery, sign the assignment on the certificate of title, including the actual odometer reading and warranty of title, and give the title to the buyer or the Registrar. The buyer must promptly sign the application for a new certificate of title and mail or deliver it, with the required fee, to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. A transfer is not effective between the parties until these steps are completed.

Question 10

How long do you have to register your car after moving to Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

A vehicle registered in another state may not be operated in Massachusetts beyond thirty days after its owner acquires a regular place of abode, business or employment in Massachusetts, unless the owner maintains the required liability insurance (and then only within the limits of the law).

Minimum coverage required	For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, Massachusetts compulsory bodily injury liability coverage must be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (raised from $20,000/$40,000), and property damage liability must be at least $30,000 per accident (raised from $5,000), i.e. 25/50/30. Every policy must also include personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage at no less than the bodily injury liability limits. A motor vehicle liability bond or deposit may be used in place of a policy. Property damage: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section34O Source: Mass. Acts 2024, c. 275, §§1-4; M.G.L. c. 90, §34O; M.G.L. c. 90, §34M; M.G.L. c. 175, §113L
At-fault or no-fault	Massachusetts is a no-fault state for injuries: every auto policy must provide personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, which are paid in place of damages otherwise recoverable in tort. Policyholders may choose a PIP deductible ($100 to $8,000) for themselves and household members. An injured person may sue for pain and suffering only if reasonable and necessary medical expenses exceed $2,000, or the injury causes death, loss of a body member, permanent and serious disfigurement, certain loss of sight or hearing, or a fracture. Tort threshold: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleII/Chapter231/Section6D Source: M.G.L. c. 90, §34M; M.G.L. c. 231, §6D
Uninsured motorist coverage	Uninsured motorist coverage is required: no auto policy may be issued for a Massachusetts-registered vehicle unless it covers bodily injury caused by uninsured and hit-and-run drivers in at least the amounts required for bodily injury liability. Underinsured motorist coverage (when the at-fault driver's limits are lower than your UM limits) is optional; the policyholder must be notified that it may be purchased. The 2024 law raised the minimum for bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto to 25/50 together with liability limits (Acts 2024, c. 275). Source: M.G.L. c. 175, §113L(1)-(2)
Proof of insurance	Massachusetts ties insurance to registration: an insurer's certificate of coverage is filed with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, and when an insurer gives notice that a policy is cancelled, the Registrar revokes the vehicle's registration on the cancellation date unless a new insurance certificate for the same vehicle has been received. Source: M.G.L. c. 90, §34H

Cancellation and nonrenewal	Auto policies must be noncancellable by the insurer except for nonpayment of premium; fraud or material misrepresentation in the application or renewal; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or a regular household driver during the policy period; failure to allow a required vehicle inspection; or certain coverages insurers may refuse to offer (with separate rules for the first 90 days of a renewal period). Written notice of cancellation stating the specific reasons must be given at least 20 days before the effective date. A person aggrieved by a cancellation notice may appeal to the Board of Appeal on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds. Refunds due after cancellation must be paid within 30 days of demand. 20-day notice: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section113A Source: M.G.L. c. 175, §§22C, 113A
What insurers can use to set rates	Private passenger auto rates may not be based in whole or in part on credit information (including credit-based insurance scores), and insurers may not refuse to issue or renew a policy based on credit information. Risks may not be grouped by sex or marital status, and may not be grouped by age except to give drivers 65 and older the required 25% reduction from the lowest applicable rate. Premiums may not be increased for an at-fault accident that does not meet the statutory definition of a minor or major accident. The Insurance Commissioner sets a classification with at least 15 rating territories. Credit underwriting ban: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section4E Source: M.G.L. c. 175E, §4; M.G.L. c. 175, §4E
Total loss rules	Massachusetts does not use a fixed percentage. A "total loss salvage motor vehicle" is one that was stolen and not recovered, or damaged to the point that the owner (or the insurer, if insured) considers it uneconomical to repair. An insurer that acquires such a vehicle must surrender the title and apply for a salvage title within ten days; if the owner keeps the vehicle after a total loss settlement, the owner must surrender the title and apply for a salvage title within ten days. A salvage vehicle cannot be titled or registered for road use until the reconstruction requirements are met. Definition: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90D/Section1 Source: M.G.L. c. 90D, §§1, 20

Massachusetts Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

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