Tuesday 18 February 2020

Massachusetts Car Insurance

Comparing free quotes is the best way to get cheap Massachusetts car insurance. To speed up your search, enter you Zip Code at the top of the page and you will be presented with the list of the cheapest auto insurance providers in MA, all of which provide free online quotes. Comparing these quotes will most definitely allow you to save on your auto insurance. Although Massachusetts auto insurance is generally cheaper than national average, the last thing you want is to over pay on your premium.

If you are curious to find the vehicle insurance requirements in the state of MA, please keep reading this page.

Massachusetts Car Insurance Requirements

The minimum requirement for a Massachusetts car insurance will include liability and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as well as personal injury protection.  For liability insurance, the minimum coverage amount for bodily injury is $20,000 for every injured person or a total of $40,000 for every accident.  For property damages, the minimum coverage amount is at least $5,000.  For the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, the minimum amount for bodily injuries is $20,000 for every person or $40,000 for the accident.  In addition, a personal injury protection plan is also required where the minimum coverage amount should be at least $8,000.  The state’s basic coverage is also known as the 20/40/5 coverage with 20/40 UM limits.

Under the state of Massachusetts, the No Fault system is followed when it comes to vehicular accidents and collisions.  Under this system, your car insurance provider would have to pay your claim for bodily injuries no matter who is the one at fault but only up to a certain amount.  In a No Fault system, you will also lose some of your rights to sue.  In the event that you got involved in an accident caused by a motorist who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance, you are covered by your insurance policy where you could get reimbursement of up to $20,000 for every injured person in your party or a total of $40,000 for the whole accident.  The amount of $20,000 per person or $40,000 per accident is the minimum coverage amount required by the state.  The personal injury protection plan or PIP will help pay for the medical expenses that you and your passengers need at the time of the accident.

Some Tips on How to Save on Insurance Cost in MA

There are various ways that could lower your car insurance cost in the state of Massachusetts.  Here are some of them.

Inquire and compare car insurance quotes with as many insurance providers as possible.  It is not a difficult or time consuming task because you can simply do it online.
Every coverage that you add will increase your car insurance costs.  It is important that you know what coverage you need and at what amount if you want to keep the cost of your car insurance down.
It does not hurt to look and ask for any available discounts from the car insurance provider.  Most discounts automatically given by car insurance companies are based on the obvious information you provide.  If you know what the different kinds of discounts are available and you are qualified to at least one of them, do not hesitate to inform the insurance company about it.  That discount will lower your car insurance cost considerably.
The DUI Law in the State of Massachusetts

In Massachusetts driving under the influence (DUI) is also known as operating under the influence or OUI.  The following drivers are considered driving under the influence of alcohol.

Any driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 percent or greater.
A driver who is under the age of 21 and has a BAC level of .02 percent or greater.
A driver of a commercial vehicle and has a BAC level of .04 percent or greater.
Penalties for First Time DUI or OUI offenders in Massachusetts

A first time offender faces the possibility of jail time that could reach a maximum period of 30 months or 2 ½ years.
A first time offender will have to pay fine that can range from $500 up to a maximum amount of $5,000.
Additional amounts of $250 for assessment and $50 for the DUI Victim Trust Fund will also be paid by the first time offender.
The driver’s license of the first time offender can be suspended for a period that can reach one year.
The court can also order the first time offender to undergo alcohol treatment program.Penalties for Second Time DUI or OUI Offenders in Massachusetts

A second time offender faces the possibility of jail time that can range from a period of 30 days up to 30 months or 2 ½ years.
Fines for a second time offense can get higher as the amount can range from $600 to $10,000.
The driver’s license of the second time offender can be suspended for a maximum period of 2 years.
A hardship license can be availed only if the requirements are met and a period of 1 year has already lapse.

Any vehicle that the second time offender will drive or operate must have an ignition interlock device installed.
Implied Consent and the Melanie Law in Massachusetts

In the state of Massachusetts, driving within the state implies that the motorist consents to the chemical test that will check for his or her blood concentration level to determine if he or she is drunk while driving.  In 2005, the state enacted a bill known as the Melanie law.  This particular law lengthens the driver’s license suspension period of any motorist who refused to submit to a breathalyzer or chemical test.  If the driver has no previous DUI offense, the suspension period will be 180 days.  If the motorist has already one DUI conviction and refuse to submit to the chemical test, the suspension period will be 3 years.  If the driver has already 2 DUI convictions and has refused the chemical test, the suspension period is 5 years.  If the driver has already 3 DUI convictions and has refused to take the chemical test, the penalty will be a lifetime suspension.

DUI and Child Endangerment in Massachusetts

If at the time of the DUI arrest, the driver has passenger who is under 14 years old an additional charge of child endangerment will be filed against the offender.  If convicted, the offender will face the possibility of jail time that can range from a period of 3 to 30 months.  The offender may also have to pay a fine that can range from a minimum of $1,000 up to the maximum amount of $5,000.  His or her driving license will be suspended for a period of 1 year.

The Average Car Insurance Cost in Massachusetts versus the National Average

In Massachusetts, the average car insurance cost is estimated to be around $1,052 which is substantially lower the national average which is around $1,437.  However, the car insurance rates in Massachusetts are steadily rising every year and this trend is likely to continue in the foreseeable future.

Top Ten Vehicles Stolen in the State of Massachusetts

Owners of these listed vehicles are expected to pay higher car insurance premiums because of the higher risks of theft.  Drivers should carefully choose the place where they parked or leaved their vehicle and should also exercise reasonable precautions to protect their car from thieves.  Installing car alarms and other security gadgets is just one way to secure the vehicle and maybe even lower its insurance premium.

Honda Civic 2000 Model
Honda Accord 1994 Model
Toyota Camry 1990 Model
Acura Integra 1994 Model
Toyota Corolla 1995 Model
Dodge Caravan 2000 Model
Ford Explorer 2002 Model
Nissan Maxima 1998 Model
Jeep Cherokee / Grand Cherokee 2004 Model
Nissan Altima 1997 Model

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