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Massachusetts is one of the few no-fault states in the Northeast, and its compulsory package is built around four parts: bodily injury to others, personal injury protection, bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto, and damage to others' property. Since July 1, 2025, the liability minimums are 25/50 for bodily injury and $30,000 for property damage, up from 20/40/5. PIP of $8,000 pays your own medical bills and lost wages first, whoever caused the crash.
Massachusetts also stands out for how insurers set prices. The state does not allow credit-based insurance scores to be used for auto rates, so other factors carry more weight. Dense Boston-area traffic, snowy winters and a new, higher property damage minimum all shape coverage choices, which is why a conversation with a licensed agent or the Division of Insurance can help you understand what the compulsory package leaves out.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/30 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | Personal injury protection (PIP): $8,000 per person; Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Fault system | No-fault |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Not allowed |
Massachusetts minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Massachusetts you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $30,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Massachusetts raised its compulsory limits effective July 1, 2025, from 20/40/5 to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to others, plus $30,000 for property damage.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Besides liability, Massachusetts requires:
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $8,000 per person
- Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Collision, comprehensive and medical payments are not part of the compulsory package; a lender or lessor may still require collision and comprehensive.
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Massachusetts a no-fault state?
Massachusetts is a no-fault state. After most crashes, your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays your medical bills and some lost income first, whoever caused the accident. You can usually step outside the no-fault system and claim against the other driver only if injuries pass a legal threshold.
Massachusetts is a no-fault state: your own PIP pays medical and lost-wage benefits first regardless of fault. You may sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only if medical expenses reach $2,000 or the injury meets a listed serious-injury category. Massachusetts also uses modified comparative negligence, which bars recovery if you are more than 50% at fault.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Massachusetts?
Status: Not allowed. Massachusetts is one of a handful of states, with California, Hawaii and Michigan, that do not allow credit-based insurance scores to be used for auto insurance rates.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Tips for Massachusetts drivers
- Check that your policy reflects the 2025 minimums. The Division of Insurance raised mandatory coverage limits for policies effective July 1, 2025, with bodily injury to others at 25/50 and property damage at $30,000.
- Remember how PIP works: it pays your medical bills and lost wages up to $8,000 regardless of fault, so keep records of treatment to document the $2,000 medical-expense threshold if you later need to sue.
- Compulsory coverage does not include collision or comprehensive, so a repair after a crash that you cause is out of pocket unless you added those optional coverages or a lender requires them.
- Because credit-based insurance scores are not used for auto rates in Massachusetts, rates are driven by other factors such as driving record; review your driving record for errors before renewal.
- If you move to Massachusetts, update your policy: your old state's coverages may not match Massachusetts' four compulsory parts, including PIP and uninsured-auto bodily injury protection.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Massachusetts Division of Insurance
- Motor vehicle agency: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the minimum car insurance limits in Massachusetts?
Since July 1, 2025, compulsory limits are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to others, and $30,000 for damage to someone else's property. Massachusetts also requires $8,000 in personal injury protection and bodily injury coverage for injuries caused by an uninsured auto. The old limits were 20/40/5.
Is Massachusetts a no-fault state?
Yes. Your own personal injury protection pays medical expenses and a portion of lost wages up to $8,000 regardless of who caused the crash. To sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, you generally need medical expenses of $2,000 or more or a qualifying serious injury. Massachusetts also uses comparative negligence, with recovery barred above 50% fault.
Can Massachusetts insurers use credit scores for auto rates?
No. Massachusetts is one of a small number of states that do not allow credit-based insurance scores in auto insurance pricing, along with California, Hawaii and Michigan. Insurers rely on other rating factors, which is one reason rates and eligibility rules can look different from those in states where credit is used.
Did Massachusetts raise its auto insurance minimums?
Yes. Under guidance from the Division of Insurance, the compulsory limits for new motor vehicle policies changed on July 1, 2025. Bodily injury to others rose from 20/40 to 25/50, and property damage rose from $5,000 to $30,000. Your insurer generally applies the new limits at your first renewal after that date; check your declarations page.
Does Massachusetts require collision or comprehensive coverage?
No. The compulsory package covers bodily injury to others, PIP, bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto, and damage to others' property. Collision and comprehensive, which pay to repair or replace your own vehicle, are optional unless your lender or leasing company requires them as part of a loan or lease agreement.
Sources
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance - Filing Guidance Notice 2025-A: New Motor Vehicle Mandatory Coverage Limits
- Insurance Information Institute - Background on no-fault auto insurance
- MoneyGeek - States where credit affects car insurance rates
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.