8 Ways to Save on Car Insurance

Looking to lower your auto insurance premium? Here are 8 proven ways to save on car insurance in Massachusetts.

Last updated February 2026 | See our disclaimer

(1) Maintain a clean SDIP score.

Sourced from Mass.gov

Your SDIP score, short for Safe Driver Insurance Plan, assigns a point value to your driving record. This system rewards safe drivers with lower insurance rates and applies surcharges to drivers with accidents or traffic violations.

Here are some ways you can keep your SDIP score at a perfect 99.

Avoid at-fault accidents. An at-fault accident can add significant points to your SDIP score and keep your premium elevated for years. Defensive driving habits, like maintaining safe following distances, avoiding distracted driving, and slowing down in bad weather, are your best insurance against costly surcharges.

Note: Not every accident automatically results in a surcharge. In Massachusetts, if you weren't at fault, your SDIP score shouldn't be affected. Always report accidents accurately and work with your carrier to understand how fault is being assigned.

Keep a clean record. Traffic violations like speeding tickets, running red lights, and other moving violations add SDIP points just like accidents do. Obeying traffic laws isn't just about safety, it’ll save you real money.

Understand how long points stay on your record. SDIP points don't last forever. In Massachusetts, surchargeable incidents generally affect your record for a set number of years before dropping off. Time is one of the best ways to improve your score as long as you keep a clean record.

Work with an independent agent. An independent agent can shop your policy across multiple carriers to find one that rates your specific SDIP score most favorably. Two carriers can look at the same driving record and price it differently, which is a big reason why working with an independent agency pays off.

Read more about how SDIP works and how you can improve your SDIP score.

(2) Bundle your policies.

Carriers offer policy discounts for personal lines if you have both home and auto insurance policies with them. The exact discount percentage amounts vary from carrier to carrier, but will almost always result in a substantial premium drop.

If you’re currently a Nobile client, you’re most likely receiving this discount. It’s commonly referred to as an Account Credit.

Read more about policy bundles here. Want to bundle your policies? Get free quotes with us today.

(3) Qualify for policy discounts.

One advantage of working with an independent agency is that we can help you take full advantage of every discount available to you. Here are some of the most common auto discounts and credits you may qualify for.

Auto Discounts

Account Credit (Policy Bundles)
Paid-In-Full Discount
Loyalty Discount
Driver Training Credit
Good Driving Credit
Good Student Discount
Student Away Discount
Low Mileage Discount
Multi-Car Discount
Donation Credit (e.g. Pan-Mass Challenge)

Availability and amounts vary by carrier and policy. Eligibility factors apply. All discounts and credits may not be listed.
Last updated February 2026

(4) Take advantage of being a good student.

Good grades can pay off beyond the classroom. Students who maintain strong academic standing in high school or who are enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university may qualify for the Good Student Discount. It’s a great way to reward safe habits and strong performance in and out of the classroom.

Also, students living on campus more than 100 miles from home may qualify for the Student Away Discount.

Availability and amounts vary by carrier and policy. Eligibility factors apply.

(5) Pay your policy in full.

Carriers offer a discount if you opt to pay your policy in full rather than in monthly installments. It's a straightforward way to save, so if you can pay in full at renewal, it's almost always worth it.

Availability and amounts vary by carrier and policy. Eligibility factors apply.

(6) Increase your deductibles.

Higher deductible = lower premium. If you drive an older vehicle or you're comfortable covering more out-of-pocket in the event of a claim, raising your collision and comprehensive deductibles can be a smart way to reduce your overall insurance costs.

At Nobile, we recommend increasing your Collision deductible before your Comprehensive deductible, as Comprehensive coverage protects against things outside your control, like extreme weather, glass damage, and theft.

Collision coverage will pay for damages to your vehicle and will not cover personal property in your vehicle. You can waive the deductible if another driver is found at fault for an incident.
Limited Collision coverage will apply if you’re equal or less than 50% at fault for an accident. Limited Collision coverage cannot apply in hit-and-run situations. There’s no deductible for Limited Collision.
Comprehensive coverage will pay for damage to your vehicle that is not caused by a collision with another vehicle. You will need to first pay the deductible. Comprehensive coverage will cover things like extreme hail, wind, floods, fires, collisions with animals, falling trees or branches, theft, and vandalism. And glass coverage is part of this, too. This covers you for when your vehicle’s windshield or windows are damaged. However, the glass breakage must not be caused by a vehicle collision.

(7) Short commutes? You’ll save more than just gas money.

If you work from home, drive less than average, or mostly drive short distances, you may qualify for a Low Mileage Discount.

Each carrier has its own guidelines for what qualifies as low mileage, but typically driving less than 10,000 miles per year may qualify you for a discount.

Already a Nobile client? Send us your current odometer reading here and we'll apply the discount if you're eligible.

(8) Shop around.

As an independent agency, we work with a network of top-rated carriers, which means we can match you with the one that's the best fit for your specific situation. Different carriers weigh factors like your driving history, location, and coverage needs differently. Having options works in your favor.

Ready for a new auto policy? Get a free quote with Nobile today.