Reliable auto insurance.
Drive with confidence. Learn more about auto and car insurance with Nobile.
Why you need auto insurance
Auto insurance is required in Massachusetts if you plan to operate a motor vehicle. Beyond the legal requirement, it’s simply a smart way to protect your vehicle, which is an expensive asset, from repairs or damages you may not be able to cover out of pocket. And if you’re leasing, lessors may require you to obtain a certain amount of coverage on your policy.
We know it can sometimes be difficult to get a good policy at a good price. At Nobile, we make it easy to get coverage that works for you.
Less money. More coverage.
We’ve partnered with top-rated carriers to get you the coverage you need at a price that won’t break the bank. And we’ll work with you to figure out what you need to be properly covered on the road, no matter what.
Whether you have one car or an entire fleet, we’ve got you. See more on commercial insurance.
The cost of auto insurance
Last updated September 2025
Premiums for auto insurance can vary based on several factors. It’s important to understand what affects the cost so you can get the best price for your needs. Here are some of the most common ways your premium may be impacted.
Garaging Location
Depending on where your vehicle is primarily stored or parked, this could positively or negatively impact your premium. For example, insuring a vehicle with a garaging address in Boston will be pricier than one that’s garaged in Lynnfield.
Drivers
The amount of drivers and how experienced they are behind the wheel comes into play when calculating your premium. Brand new drivers at an SDIP of 0 will see high premiums due to a lack of experience. Alternatively, if you or another insured has been in multiple accidents, you can expect to see an increase of your premium.
Coverage Limits
If your deductibles are lower and if you have higher coverage limits, expect to see higher premiums. Some clients find that increasing their collision and comprehensive deductibles can be worth it if their vehicles are older or not in great shape. And decreasing coverage limits can help bring down premiums as well.
Driving Record (SDIP)
Your Massachusetts Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) score is the point value tied to your license. A perfect record earns you an SDIP of 99, while new drivers start at 0. If you’re found at fault in an accident or have traffic violations, your score will drop and your premiums will likely increase. See our full page about how SDIP works in Mass.
Year, Make, and Model of Vehicle
Your vehicle’s year, make, and model can affect your premium. Newer cars tend to be more expensive to insure, and cars from luxury brands like Porsche and Jaguar, regardless of their age, can also get pricey. Usually, the higher the cost of the vehicle, the more expensive it will be to insure. And depending on certain characteristics, some carriers are choosing not to insure certain kinds of vehicles. For example, some carriers have adjusted their rating structures for brands like Tesla, due to costly repairs, and Hyundai, due to high theft rates. In some cases, this has led to higher premiums or even carriers declining to insure these vehicles.
Coverages and how they work
Sourced from Mass.gov | Last updated September 2025
On every Massachusetts auto policy, some coverages are compulsory and required by the state, while others are optional. Here’s the breakdown.
Compulsory Coverages
“Bodily Injury to Others protects you, or someone you allow to drive your car, from legal liability if you accidentally injure or cause the death of someone else while operating your car.” The compulsory limit for this coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 if more than one person is hurt. This coverage is only valid if the accident occurs in Massachusetts and it does not cover the injury or death of a passenger in your car.
“Personal Injury Protection (also known as PIP) covers medical expenses, up to 75% of lost wages and replacement services up to a limit of $8,000. Massachusetts is a no-fault state which means no matter who causes the accident, PIP will pay these expenses for you or anyone you let drive your car, anyone living in your household, passengers in your vehicle and pedestrians.”
“Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto protects you, anyone you let drive your car, and household members and passengers who are not covered under another similar Massachusetts policy, against losses caused by an uninsured or unidentified ("hit and run") driver. You must buy at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 total for all people injured by the uninsured auto in the accident.”
“Property Damage pays for damage to another person's property when you, a household member or another driver you allow to use your car cause accidental damage to another person's property. You must purchase a policy that has a minimum limit of $30,000.” At Nobile, we usually stick with $100,000 or higher unless otherwise specified.
Optional Coverages
Optional Bodily Injury to Others covers physical injuries suffered by passengers in your vehicle.
Medical Payments coverage offers additional medical expenses for you, another insured driver, household member, or passenger. The lowest coverage amount is $5,000. This coverage also pays for funeral services to anyone in your vehicle, or if a household member is hit by another vehicle while in someone else’s vehicle at the time of an incident.
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.
Accident Forgiveness coverage will protect your premium from increasing after an at-fault accident. The way this coverage is applied is dependent on each carrier.
Gap Coverage (Auto Loan/Lease) “helps pay off your auto loan if your car is totaled or stolen and you owe more than the car's depreciated value.”
Substitute Transportation (Rental) coverage will help pay for a rental vehicle while your vehicle is being repaired from a collision or comprehensive claim.
Towing and Labor coverage will help pay for towing services and labor when your car breaks down.
Discounts for your auto policy
There are many ways to save on your auto policy. Here are some of the most common discounts and credits you may qualify for. Also take a look at our full Discounts page.
Auto Discounts and Credits
- 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.
Last Updated: September 2025
Auto Insurance FAQs
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You can lower your premium by qualifying for policy discounts. Your eligibility for any discounts depends on your carrier. To name a few, our carriers typically offer discounts like Low Mileage, Good Student, Multi-Car, Paid-In-Full, and Account Discounts if you’re bundling home and auto.
You may also want to consider increasing your deductible amounts or, in more severe cases, decreasing coverage limits.
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If you’re a ride-share app driver, MAPFRE offers TNC (Transportation Network Company) coverage for your vehicle.
This endorsement helps fill the insurance gap that exists when you are logged into a ride-share app (like Uber or Lyft) but have not yet accepted a passenger request. Normally, your personal auto insurance will not cover you during this time, and the ride-share company’s insurance only begins once you accept a trip.
To qualify, there are a few requirements and coverages you must have on your auto policy.
Your vehicle must have both Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
All drivers listed on your policy must have a clean driving record and at least 6 years of licensing experience.
Only private passenger vehicles qualify. So motorcycles, antiques, and commercial vehicles do not.
Your vehicle cannot be used for more than 30 hours per week on ride-share platforms.
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Inexperienced drivers are charged higher premiums because they pose greater risk. Newly licensed drivers are always more expensive to insure at first, but maintaining a clean driving record over time will gradually bring their rates down. And drivers who haven’t been insured continuously for at least 12 months may face higher premiums.
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Yes. Whether your business has one vehicle or an entire fleet, we’ve got coverage options to match.
Drive safe with Nobile.
Learn more about insurance.
Already a Nobile client? You’re most likely receiving any discounts and credits you’re eligible for.