Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts for a bad driving record?

Drivers with a poor record in Massachusetts will find the lowest rates from State Farm, GEICO and Safety Insurance. Among these, State Farm provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $964 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, you'll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
State Farm	$689	$964
GEICO	$1,269	$1,722
Safety Insurance	$1,517	$2,439
Progressive	$2,016	$2,702
Arbella Insurance	$1,708	$2,793
Farmers	$1,966	$3,116
Travelers	$2,274	$3,348
Allstate	$2,694	$5,579
USAA	$1,442	$2,219

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Massachusetts?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Massachusetts, high-risk car insurance costs $2,639 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $964 annually from State Farm.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Massachusetts, MA is $2,695

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
State Farm	$689	$1,037
GEICO	$1,269	$1,890
Arbella Insurance	$1,708	$1,937
USAA	$1,442	$2,096
Safety Insurance	$1,517	$2,751
Progressive	$2,016	$3,072
Travelers	$2,274	$3,590
Farmers	$1,966	$3,760
Allstate	$2,694	$4,439

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Massachusetts?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts after a DUI?

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm has the lowest rate at $1,257 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Massachusetts.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
State Farm	$689	$1,257
GEICO	$1,269	$2,175
Progressive	$2,016	$2,456
Arbella Insurance	$1,708	$2,866
Safety Insurance	$1,517	$3,347
Travelers	$2,274	$3,443
Farmers	$1,966	$4,109
Allstate	$2,694	$5,579
USAA	$1,442	$3,542

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What is the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts with multiple tickets?

State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $785 a year or $65 a month.

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.

This table shows Massachusetts drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
State Farm	$689	$785
GEICO	$1,269	$1,419
Safety Insurance	$1,517	$1,889
Farmers	$1,966	$2,454
Progressive	$2,016	$2,699
Travelers	$2,274	$3,285
USAA	$1,442	$1,676

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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Massachusetts?

State Farm offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $1,207 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
State Farm	$689	$1,207
GEICO	$1,269	$2,175
Arbella Insurance	$1,708	$2,719
Progressive	$2,016	$2,956
Safety Insurance	$1,517	$3,182
Travelers	$2,274	$3,443
Farmers	$1,966	$4,109
USAA	$1,442	$2,528

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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

What company has the cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts after an accident?

State Farm has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,037 a year. GEICO also offers affordable rates, averaging $1,890 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single at fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
State Farm	$689	$1,037	$1,291
GEICO	$1,269	$1,890	$2,333
Arbella Insurance	$1,708	$1,937	$2,921
Safety Insurance	$1,517	$2,604	$3,941
Progressive	$2,016	$3,072	$4,608
Travelers	$2,274	$3,546	$4,929
Farmers	$1,966	$3,760	$6,412
Allstate	$2,694	$4,439	$5,707
USAA	$1,442	$2,096	$3,765

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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts?

Newburyport has the cheapest car insurance rates in Massachusetts at $2,237 per year. But the most expensive city is Chelsea with rates of $4,105 per year.

Your location in Massachusetts also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Newburyport	$1,470	$2,237
Andover	$1,587	$2,422
Leominster	$1,644	$2,509
Beverly	$1,696	$2,591
Fitchburg	$1,781	$2,729
Lowell	$1,971	$3,014
Boston	$2,103	$3,206
Worcester	$2,198	$3,373
Springfield	$2,400	$3,687
Chelsea	$2,693	$4,105

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Massachusetts?

Finding affordable car insurance in Massachusetts is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Massachusetts?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Are Massachusetts's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Massachusetts, you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: