Automobile Insurance

You are legally required to have auto insurance in most states, including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At a minimum, your insurance policy must include basic liability coverage that includes bodily injury to others and damage to someone else’s property. Your minimum coverage also includes bodily injury caused by an uninsured or unidentified driver and personal injury protection, which covers medical expenses and lost wages.

Most drivers need more than just the minimum coverage. Your car insurance is there to protect your vehicle, yourself, the other passengers in the car, and your financial assets. Car accidents happen and sometimes you cannot prevent them. But you can make sure you have adequate insurance coverage in place, which may also include rental car coverage, gap insurance, roadside assistance, and accident forgiveness. Our agents are here to help you find the right car insurance policy to fit your needs.

You must carry the minimum coverage required by the state. This includes bodily injury to others and bodily injury caused by uninsured motorists of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. You also need to carry personal injury protection with a minimum limit of $8,000 and liability coverage of $5,000 in case you damage someone else’s property.

These limits are very low and may put your personal assets or future earnings at risk if you are sued. We recommend at least $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident and $250,000 Property Damage as well as a Personal Umbrella policy for added liability protection.  

Your auto insurance coverage should also include comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision covers damage to your car from colliding with another vehicle or stationary object. Comprehensive insurance covers events like theft, vandalism, fire, flood, and glass. It also applies if a tree branch falls on your vehicle and causes damage.  Deductible options are usually $300, $500, and $1,000.  The higher the deductible, the more you save on your premium.

We tailor your auto insurance policy to fit your needs. There are additional coverage options that may make sense for you. For example, you can include roadside assistance and towing services to your policy. If your car breaks down, your insurance can help cover the cost of transporting it to the mechanic of your choice. Roadside assistance also includes having someone help you with a flat tire, jump starting the battery, or filling up your gas tank.

You may also want to include substitute transportatation/ rental car coverage. If you rely on your vehicle for transportation to school or work and do not have other vehicles as a backup plan, rental car coverage can help pay for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop after an accident. It does not pay for a rental if your vehicle is in for maintenance. Finally, you may need gap insurance if your lease or loan amount for the car is higher than its current value. Otherwise, you would be responsible for the difference if your car is totaled in an accident.

Car insurance can get pricey, but there are things you can do to save on premiums. We recommend bundling your car insurance with your home or renter’s insurance or increasing your deductible. You can also take an approved advanced driving course, drive a less expensive car, opt for higher deductibles, or reduce some of your coverage options to decrease the amount of your monthly car insurance premiums.

Legally, you are not required to carry collision or comprehensive coverage. However, if you have a loan or lease, your lender will require it to protect their asset. Otherwise, some people decide to drop collision and comprehensive coverage for an older car they already own. However, you must plan to be able to cover any repair or replacement costs out of pocket if you drop coverage on your vehicle.  A great alternative to full collision is limited collision.  For limited collision, you must be able to successfully identify the other vehicle and you cannot be more than 51% at fault.  It is very inexpensive and there is no deductible. 

Insurance premiums can vary from one insurer to the next. It depends on the drivers listed on your policy and their driving history and what type of vehicle you have. Typically, a more expensive car will cost more in premiums, and a teenage driver will also increase the cost of insurance. You may qualify for certain discounts that reduce your premiums, such as a multi-vehicle discount and good student discount.

We will tailor your car insurance policy to meet your specific needs. We work with many reputable insurance companies to provide you with the best coverage at the most competitive price. Let’s have a conversation about your car insurance need, and we can help you determine your optimal coverage options. Call us today to get a quote for auto insurance.