Best car insurance in Boston, MA (2024)

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Gianetta PalmerContributing WriterGianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

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Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|2 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

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The average cost of a full coverage insurance policy in Boston is $1,966 per year. Compared to the Massachusetts state average of $1,553, Boston drivers pay $413 more per year for the same coverage, which makes sense considering Boston’s busy roads, noteworthy traffic and high cost of living.

Ready to shop car insurance?

But that doesn’t mean Boston drivers can’t save on car insurance. The best way to find affordable rates is to compare quotes before you buy, and Policygenius makes it easy to see options from top car insurance companies.

Key takeaways

  • GEICO has the cheapest car insurance rates in Boston at $1,106 per year for full coverage

  • 02163 and 02222 are the cheapest ZIP codes for car insurance in Boston, with an average rate of $1,906 a year

  • Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means Boston drivers must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to pay for their medical bills after a car accident

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Boston, MA

Insurance companies use information like your age, address, driving history and past claims to set your rates, so the cost of car insurance can vary widely from driver to driver. But it can also vary from company to company, which is why it’s so important to compare quotes before you buy a car insurance company.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

GEICO

$1,106

874

USAA

$1,355

890

Norfolk & Dedham

$1,476

--

MetLife*

$1,661

--

Quincy Mutual

$1,783

--

* MetLife is now owned by Farmers Insurance

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Boston, MA

Where in Boston you live will have a big affect on what you pay for car insurance. From Jamaica Plain to South Boston to Allston, what you pay for coverage depends on things like the number of accidents and reports of car theft and vandalism in your neighborhood.

ZIP code

Average cost

02163

$1,906

02222

$1,906

02110

$1,930

02115

$1,930

02111

$1,930

02109

$1,930

02133

$1,930

02116

$1,930

02113

$1,930

02210

$1,930

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Boston, MA

There’s no one right company for every driver. While GEICO does offer the cheapest average rates in the city, that might not be the case for every individual driver, so it’s important to shop around and compare quotes before picking a policy. Policygenius can show you quotes from top car insurance companies, so you can feel confident you’re making the right choice.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Boston, MA

Driving history is one of the biggest factors insurance companies use to establish the cost of your car insurance. Any recent accidents or moving violations on your record will mean higher rates, and the more serious the violation, the more you’ll pay for car insurance coverage.

Violation

GEICO

USAA

Norfolk & Dedham

MetLife

Quincy Mutual

At-fault accident

$1,653

$1,915

$2,836

$3,385

$2,738

DUI

$1,877

$3,374

$3,548

$3,682

$3,507

Suspended license

$1,877

$3,051

$4,338

$3,984

$4,273

Open container

$1,262

$2,404

$3,415

$3,682

$3,341

Expired registration

$1,262

$1,713

$4,338

$3,682

$4,273

Driving without lights

$1,262

$1,472

$1,549

$1,745

$1,821

Running a red light

$1,262

$1,600

$1,964

$2,186

$2,188

Following too closely

$1,262

$1,600

$1,964

$2,186

$2,188

Hit and run

$1,877

$3,697

$3,415

$3,682

$3,341

Not-at-fault accident

$1,149

$1,391

$1,549

$1,745

$1,821

Passing a school bus

$1,262

$2,058

$1,964

$2,186

$2,188

Reckless driving

$1,877

$2,404

$3,415

$3,682

$3,341

Speeding

$1,262

$1,600

$1,964

$2,186

$2,188

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Boston, MA

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

GEICO

$1,877

USAA

$3,374

Quincy Mutual

$3,507

Norfolk & Dedham

$3,548

MetLife

$3,682

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Boston, MA

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

GEICO

$1,262

USAA

$1,600

Norfolk & Dedham

$1,964

MetLife

$2,186

Quincy Mutual

$2,188

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Boston, MA

In many states, drivers with low credit scores pay more for car insurance, but Massachusetts is one of a small handful of states that prohibits car insurance companies from considering a driver’s credit score. So whether your credit is poor or spotless, it won’t change what you pay for car insurance in Boston.

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Boston, MA

Boston drivers must have at least the state minimum amounts of car insurance. The law in Massachusetts says drivers must carry minimum amounts of the following types of auto insurance:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $40,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $5,000

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $8,000 per person

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $20,000 per person; $40,000 per incident

Massachusetts minimum insurance requirements are very low, so most drivers will need well over the state minimums in order to be fully protected in case of an accident.

Massachusetts is a no-fault state when it comes to car accidents. This means that if you’re hurt in a car accident, you must seek reimbursement for your medical expenses from your own car insurance company, even if another driver was at-fault.

How to get cheap car insurance in Boston, MA

  • Drive Safely: Follow the rules of the road and drive carefully to earn lower rates 

  • Compare quotes: Compare options from multiple companies before you buy to make sure you’re not overpaying 

  • Bundle policies: Get your home and auto insurance from the same company and save on both policies

  • Know your discounts: Find out which car insurance discounts you qualify for, like discounts for paying your premiums in full, taking a defensive driving course or insuring more than one car under the same policy

Frequently asked questions

Who has the lowest car insurance rates in Boston?

According to our research, GEICO has the lowest insurance rates in the city, at an average rate of $1,106 per year for full coverage.

Does gender affect my insurance rates in MA?

Many states allow gender to be used when determining insurance rates, but Massachusetts isn’t one of them, so your gender won’t affect what you’ll pay for car insurance.

Does Massachusetts require full coverage insurance?

No, full coverage is not a legal requirement in Massachusetts. Drivers are required to carry liability insurance, PIP coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. If you have a loan or a lease on your vehicle, you may be contractually required to carry full coverage car insurance.

How much is car insurance per month in Massachusetts?

On average, the monthly cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $129. That comes out to $1,553 per year.

Authors

Gianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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