The average monthly cost of car insurance in Somerville is $122, which is lower than the state average of $119 and the national average of $144.
The relatively low insurance rate in Somerville may be attributed to less driving in the area. Only about one-third of Somerville residents drive to work, which means fewer cars on the road and a lower risk of accidents.
But every car insurance company has a different way of setting rates, so the amount you pay will depend on your age, marital status, driving history, coverage needs, and other factors. That means it’s still important to compare car insurance rates with several companies.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Somerville
While it’s possible to find cheap car insurance in Somerville, the best car insurance company for you is the one that meets your unique needs. For example, you might want to look for military discounts or get coverage that other insurance companies don’t offer.
Whatever your needs, you can find the best insurer for you by getting quotes from several insurance companies and comparing the price as well as the coverage.
Here’s a brief look at three of the top insurers in Somerville. The rates shown in the table below are for Massachusetts.
Best insurer for cheap rates: Midvale Home & Auto
Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco
Best insurer for bundling: Liberty Mutual
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Somerville
To find the cheapest car insurance in Somerville, it may help to know what factors insurers look at. Your driving record and the car you drive heavily influence your premium rate, but so do characteristics like your age, gender, marital status, and ZIP code.
Here are some tips to help you find cheap car insurance in Somerville:1
Compare car insurance quotes. Because rates can vary among insurers, it’s a good idea to review quotes from multiple companies. Comparison shopping can help you find the coverage you need at the best price available to you.
Adjust your coverage amount. About one-third of Somerville residents commute by public transportation and may drive infrequently. If you do, you have a lower chance of getting into an accident, and you may be fine with less coverage. You can save by increasing your deductible, dropping comprehensive or collision coverage, or lowering your liability amounts.
Consider a telematics program. Many insurance companies use telematics programs, which require you to install a device in your car or use an app that tracks your driving behavior. If you demonstrate safe driving habits, you could save up to 30% off your auto insurance policy, depending on the insurer.
Maintain a clean driving record. Insurers generally consider you to be a safe driver when you avoid speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents. This lowers risk for the insurance company, so it may offer you lower premiums.
Ask about discounts. Your insurance company may offer discounts for things like driving safely, receiving good grades, or bundling your auto coverage with another type of insurance policy with that company. These discounts could help you save, so ask your insurer to see what you might qualify for.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Somerville: State Farm
If you cause a car accident, liability-only car insurance will cover the other party’s medical bills and the costs of repairing or replacing their property.
However, car insurance requirements differ in Massachusetts because it’s a no-fault state. Massachusetts drivers must carry liability insurance in addition to personal injury protection (PIP), which pays for the policyholder’s medical expenses after an accident, no matter who’s at fault.
You also must carry uninsured motorist insurance, which pays for your property damage if you’re in an accident with an at-fault driver without coverage.2
Liability-only car insurance in Somerville costs an average of $108 per month. The following insurers offer the cheapest liability-only car insurance in Somerville.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Somerville: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance typically refers to a policy that contains collision and comprehensive coverage on top of the state’s minimum liability coverage.
Collision coverage pays for your injuries and your car’s repair bills when you’re in an accident with another car or object, while comprehensive coverage pays for your car repairs after non-collision events, like theft or falling objects.
Full-coverage insurance in Somerville costs $136 per month, on average. The following insurers offer the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Somerville.
Car insurance requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means your insurance company covers your medical costs following an accident, regardless of who caused it. But if you’re at fault, your liability coverage will pay for the other party’s costs.
Because the Bay State follows no-fault rules, all drivers must carry bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage.
The minimum requirements for each of these coverages are below.2
While the following coverages are optional in the state of Massachusetts, you might want to consider them for more protection:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Having a traffic violation on your record is more than just an inconvenience — it can also cause your car insurance rates to increase.3 Insurers generally consider you a higher risk when you have a speeding ticket, driving under the influence violation, or an at-fault accident on your record, and they’ll take that into consideration when pricing your policy at renewal.
But you can still find car insurance at an affordable price even if you don’t have a spotless driving record. The table below shows how different driving incidents can affect your car insurance rates.
Average cost of car insurance by age
Car insurance rates are highest for young drivers because they’re more likely to be involved in car accidents and are easily distracted on the roads.4 Rates start decreasing around age 35 and decline steadily over a few decades. But premiums go up for senior drivers around age 70, when the risk of an accident rises again.5
The table below shows average monthly quotes for Somerville drivers by age group.