Improving Your SDIP Score
Want lower auto insurance premiums? Learn more about improving your SDIP score and becoming an excellent driver.
Last updated February 2026 | Sourced from Mass.gov | See our disclaimer
How to improve your SDIP score
Want lower auto insurance premiums? Here's how to improve your SDIP score by avoiding surcharges, removing old points, and becoming an excellent driver.
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.
What is the SDIP?
The Massachusetts Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) 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.
4 insurance coverages on your policy are subject to the SDIP premium adjustment.
Bodily Injury to Others - Part 1 (Compulsory Coverage)
Personal Injury Protection - Part 2 (Compulsory Coverage)
Damage to Someone Else's Property - Part 4 (Compulsory Coverage)
Collision - Part 7 (Optional Coverage)
How your points are calculated
Depending on your driving record, you may have a perfect SDIP rating of 99. If you’re found at fault in an accident or ticketed for a traffic offense, points are added to your license, which can raise your insurance premium. The number of points depends on the severity of the accident or violation.
Minor Traffic Law Violation - 2 points
Minor At-Fault Accident - 3 points
Major At-Fault Accident - 4 points
Major Traffic Law Violation - 5 points
For more information about how points are assigned to surchargeable incidents, visit this page on Mass.gov.
Insurance discounts for great driving
Excellent Driver Discount (98)
This discount can be applied to your policy if you’ve been licensed for at least 5 years with a perfect driving record, or if you are not eligible for the Excellent Driver Discount Plus.
You’ll also qualify for this discount if:
You have at least 5 years of driving experience.
You have exactly 1 surchargeable incident in your 6-year policy experience period.
This 1 surchargeable incident is a minor, non-criminal traffic law violation.
This 1 surchargeable incident has a surcharge date at least 3 years before your policy's effective date.
Excellent Driver Discount Plus (99)
This discount can be applied to your policy if you’ve been licensed for at least 6 years with a perfect driving record.
For more information about surchargeable incidents, visit this page on Mass.gov.