Massachusetts drives without insurance. If you are stopped by law enforcement while driving, it is legally necessary to provide proof of your insurance. If you don’t have it, you may receive a fine or prison time. Repeated criminals may even suspend their licenses. The legal implications of insurance and the financial protection it offers are why insurance professionals recommend that at least carry the minimum necessary insurance. Bankrate’s editorial team explains the consequences of driving without insurance and highlights coverage options.
Massachusetts Auto Insurance Act
Like most other states, Massachusetts has the lowest auto insurance requirements. The minimum requirements represent the minimum amount of insurance you can carry because it is compliant with state law. As a condition that is not disrupted, Massachusetts’ minimum requirements are a little more extensive than the basic debt coverage required in many other states. For example, Massachusetts requires uninsured driver coverage and personal injury protection insurance.
As of July 1, 2025, a new minimum car insurance has occurred at MA. These reforms apply to new policies and insurance renewals. Currently, Massachusetts insurance laws include:
- $25,000 per person bodily injury liability per accident
- A total of $50,000 for physical injury liability for each accident
- liability for property damages for each accident $30,000
- $25,000 per person per accident per person with uninsured driver’s physical liability
- Every $50,000 total accident for uninsured driver physical liability
- $8,000 for personal injury protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is a type of insurance that covers you and your passengers if you are injured in a car accident, regardless of who is negligent. You may pay for important services such as medical costs, loss of wages, funeral costs, and childcare. PIP coverage is most common in a state of failure.
Please note that the minimum range may not be sufficient to pay all costs after a serious accident. For example, if you are seriously injured in an accident and need continuous treatment, $8,000 may not be enough to cover all your accident-related medical needs. We recommend that you consider purchasing a higher level of liability and PIP insurance to better protect your finances.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts
If you own a private vehicle in Massachusetts, you must obtain minimum insurance requirements before driving. Below is an overview of the penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts.
| Penalty | Penalty explanation |
|---|---|
| Pay the fine | According to state law, if you commit a crime in Massachusetts for driving without insurance, you can receive a fine of between $500 and $5,000. Driving without insurance multiple times can lead to even higher fines. |
| Prison time | According to Massachusetts law, if you are convicted of driving without insurance, you may need to work in a prison for up to two and a half years. |
| Revoked driving privileges | In addition to fines and potential prison hours, your driver’s license and registration may be suspended. If you are convicted of driving without car insurance, your driving privilege will be suspended for 60 days. You can limit your license for longer after two or more crimes. |
| Recovery fee | Once your driver’s license or registration is suspended, you will need to revive it and pay the fee. In Massachusetts, reviving suspended licenses costs between $100 and $1,200. The exact fine depends on the type of suspension. |
| Additional charges | In addition to fines and reinstatement fees, you may be liable for additional fees. For example, if you appeal a Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Register (RMV) decision, you will need to pay a $50 fee. If you request a court hearing, you will need to pay a $25 application fee. This will be refunded if you win the hearing. |
Fees from the Massachusetts Online Insurance Verification System
Massachusetts RMV has partnered with Boston Software Corporation to provide an online service that allows insurance agents to renew and revive vehicle registrations. This online insurance verification system allows insurers, drivers and authorities to ensure that the vehicle is properly insured. The system was created to ensure that all vehicle owners carry minimum insurance requirements before driving on the road.
| Reasons for the fee | Fee amount |
|---|---|
| Request a hearing to challenge citizens’ motor vehicle violation citations | $25 |
| Late fees if not responded within 20 days | $40 to $45 |
| First offence without insurance | $500 |
| Second offence to drive uninsured | $500-5,000 |
| Reinstatement Fee for driver license or registration after suspension | $100 to $1,200 |
Massachusetts accident without insurance
There are several potential consequences if you have an accident without car insurance in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts’ auto insurance laws are defined by their status as a non-disabled condition. In this type of state, each party’s insurance company will first pay their own medical expenses and wage losses, regardless of which driver caused the accident. However, having no disability does not mean that no one is liable for causing an accident.
If we find that the incident negligence is greater than 51%, you will be responsible for all damage caused to the other vehicle and additional costs beyond what PIP insurance covers. This applies even if you don’t have insurance. To remain uninsured means that you will have to pay these costs 100% from your pocket and you may be sued personally.
You are still subject to fines and other penalties, as stated in the Massachusetts Civil Code. You may also need to carry an SR-22 certificate for several years. All of this can be in financially challenging situations and another reason driving without insurance in MA is never a good idea.
