f you are planning on driving in Massachusetts you need carry auto insurance. Furthermore, you must be able to provide proof of adequate insurance if/when you are pulled over for any reason by an officer of the law. If you do not have proper insurance, you could face fines, license suspension, and even jail time. You will also have a harder time finding cheap car insurance in future, as insurance companies will see reckless actions as an indication that you are a high risk driver.

Liability Insurance

All Massachusetts drivers must purchase the state minimum amount of liability coverage in the amount of 20/40/5. This ratio equals to $20K in bodily injury liability for one driver, $40K in bodily injury liability for more than one driver, and $5K in property damage. In addition, Massachusetts residents must purchase $8K in Personal Injury Protection.

While purchasing the state minimum amount of liability will allow you to drive legally, please be advised that these numbers only represent the bare minimum amount of liability insurance needed. Because car accidents can be extremely expensive, you should strongly consider purchasing more than the minimum amount required.

Massachusetts Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Massachusetts drivers are not required to purchase Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) coverage; however, because this type of insurance covers any damage that may be done to your car if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it is strongly advised that you do so.

Think you can afford to go without UM/UIM coverage? Remember: you can only control your own actions on the road—not the actions of others. With so many uninsured drivers on the roads these days, you may be left paying for damages if you are involved in an accident. So do yourself a favor and purchase it. You’ll be thankful in the long run.

No Fault vs. Tort State

As a no-fault state, Massachusetts’s car insurance laws require that drivers purchase no-fault insurance. When you are in an accident in Massachusetts, it doesn’t matter who is at fault—your company must foot the bill for the damage done to your car.

If you are a driver, you must purchase car insurance, whether you are in Massachusetts or another state. How much you buy is up to you, but you need to have at least the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage in order to drive legally. You should also purchase UM/UIM coverage as well. If you are looking for cheap car insurance rates, you should consider comparing quotes from different companies before purchasing a policy.