Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Massachusetts

Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts for a bad driving record

If you have a poor driving record in Massachusetts, State Farm, GEICO, Safety Insurance are the cheapest options. State Farm has the lowest annual rate at $964 per year.

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay 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.

Many things can make you a high-risk driver, but some affect your rates more than others. For example, having multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for speeding in a school zone will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

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 high-risk for insurance 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.

Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm provides the average cheapest coverage for $1,257 annually.

A DUI is one of the most serious traffic violations to have on your record. Not only do you have to pay fines, but you'll also see vastly higher car insurance rates for up to 10 years. Multiple DUIs will cause your premiums to skyrocket.

The table below compares average car insurance rates with a clean driving record and rates after 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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Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts with multiple tickets

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple tickets is State Farm, with rates averaging $785 annually or $65 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your 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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Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm has the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,207 a year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers 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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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Massachusetts

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

Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one 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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Cheapest car insurance in Massachusetts by city

In Massachusetts, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Newburyport, averaging $2,237 annually. On the other hand, Chelsea has the highest rates at $4,105 a year.

Where you live in Massachusetts matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood 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 to reduce car insurance rates in Massachusetts for a bad driving record

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

Where you live in Massachusetts also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

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.

Massachusetts car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're considered a high-risk driver in Massachusetts, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don't need special insurance coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers and not all carriers insure such drivers.

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:

A 40-year-old driver
A clean record
Good credit
State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage

Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:

Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.