The average monthly car insurance rate for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts with a past incident is $149 per month, while drivers with clean records pay an average of $119.
Insurance companies might consider you high-risk and charge you higher premiums if you have multiple incidents in your driving history, including speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs. The state requires all drivers to carry certain minimum liability insurance limits, and you may have to file an SR-22 certificate if you’re high-risk.
Here’s what you should know about finding car insurance as a high-risk driver in Massachusetts.
Who is a high-risk driver in Massachusetts?
A high-risk driver is a driver that insurance companies consider to be risky to insure. Insurance companies may view you as risky to insure if you have numerous incidents in your driving history or past lapses in coverage. If you have a DUI, insurers will almost certainly classify you as a high-risk driver and charge you significantly higher premiums.
Massachusetts has a point system known as the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP). Though not required in Massachusetts, many insurers use the SDIP to determine surcharges for traffic violations and at-fault accidents and apply credits to account for years free of incidents.
Insurance companies in the state can either use the SDIP or their own merit-rating plans.1 The SDIP adds points to your record as follows:
Minor traffic law violation: 2 points
Minor at-fault accident: 3 points
Major at-fault accident: 4 points
Major traffic law violation: 5 points
The more points you have on your record, the higher your insurance premium will be.
Best Massachusetts auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers
The cost of car insurance can vary widely depending on numerous factors, such as your age, your location, and what traffic violations you have in your driving history.2 The best car insurance company for you depends on these factors, your specific coverage needs, and how insurance companies weigh your risk.
Start your search with three of the best Massachusetts car insurance companies for high-risk drivers below.
Safeco: Best for affordability
Liberty Mutual: Best for discounts
USAA: Best for military members and their families
Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts with an at-fault accident
An at-fault accident will almost always increase your car insurance rates in Massachusetts, unless you have a policy with accident forgiveness. Insurers see you as more likely to file additional claims.
The table below shows the average monthly rates for drivers in Massachusetts with at-fault accidents on their records.
Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts with a DUI
A DUI conviction in Massachusetts will increase your car insurance rates significantly because it’s one of the most severe driving infractions. Some insurers may even refuse to cover you after a DUI.
Here are the average monthly rates for drivers in Massachusetts with a past DUI on their records.
Cheapest auto insurance in Massachusetts with a speeding ticket
Even a single speeding ticket can increase your car insurance rates in Massachusetts, as it indicates that you pose some risk as a driver. If you get two or three speeding tickets, your rates will increase even more.
Below, you can compare the average monthly rates for drivers in Massachusetts with speeding tickets on their records.
How to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts
Even if your insurance company considers you high-risk, you can still find cheap car insurance in Massachusetts. Consider the following strategies:
Take advantage of discounts. Car insurance discounts are a great tool when it comes to saving money on car insurance. Most insurers offer various discounts, and you probably qualify for a few. Just make sure you ask about your discount options. Discounts, especially for bundling your auto insurance with a renters or home insurance policy, can save you hundreds per year.
Raise your deductible. Increasing your car insurance deductible will automatically lower your car insurance premium. Make sure that you can afford to pay this new, higher deductible out of pocket if you need to file a claim.
Compare car insurance quotes. Regardless of your driver status, you should compare quotes from at least three different car insurance companies before buying a policy. Every insurer determines rates differently, so it’s crucial to compare multiple companies to find the right one for you.
How to improve your driving record in Massachusetts
You can take a few steps to improve your driving record as a high-risk driver in Massachusetts: