If you are operating a vehicle, you will more than likely need to have an auto insurance policy. In fact, auto insurance is legally required in 49 states (New Hampshire currently being the one exception). 

When it comes to shopping for auto insurance, it can be difficult knowing exactly what coverages you will need to ensure you can cruise the open road with peace of mind, and without overspending. 

At Berry Insurance, we know that curating the right auto policy can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! We’re in the business of providing our clients with the best protection for wherever they’re driving. 

In this article we’ll go over required coverages and protections for most auto policies, optional coverages that you can add onto your policy, as well as what damages and situations your auto policy will not cover you from. 

Since we are based in Massachusetts, and auto policies can vary from state to state, we will specifically be breaking down what an auto policy will look like for a Massachusetts resident. Depending on which state you live in, the policy may differ in some ways. 

Required auto insurance coverages

The following are the four coverages required on all MA auto policies: 

Bodily injury to others:

This coverage provides medical expenses and lost income to anyone that is injured by you in an auto accident in Massachusetts. This coverage typically has two limits: per person and per accident. 

In Massachusetts, drivers are required to have at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. This cannot be increased or decreased

Personal injury protection: 

This coverage will pay for any medical bills or lost wages for you and your passengers if you are involved in an accident, regardless of fault. 

In Massachusetts, the set amount of personal injury protection coverage, or PIP, is $8,000 pers person, but deductibles from $0 to $8,000 may apply. This coverage cannot be increased or decreased. 

Bodily injury by uninsured auto: 

In the event that you are involved in an accident with someone that is not covered by auto insurance, or are in a hit-and-run-incident, then uninsured motorist coverage would cover the claim. 

This coverage has two limits, being per person and per accident. Massachusetts has required limits of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. While you cannot decrease this coverage, you can choose higher limits. 

Damage to someone else’s property: 

If you are involved in an auto accident that causes damages to any type of property, this coverage would pay for the claims. “Property” in this case can include damages to everything from telephone poles, guardrails, fences, homes or storefronts, and even mailboxes. 

The Massachusetts minimum required coverage is $5,000, and cannot be decreased. You can, however, choose higher limits. 

Optional auto insurance coverages

The following are additional coverages that can be added onto your auto policy to provide more comprehensive protections for you and any drivers in your family. 

Collision:

This coverage provides protections against damages to your vehicle as a result of a collision accident, regardless of fault. This coverage is subject to your deductible, which is typically at a minimum of $300. You can increase your deductible for additional savings.

Berry Insurance suggests collision coverage for all drivers auto policies, and is required if you are financing your vehicle. Some insurance carriers will offer limited collision coverage, but we would not typically recommend less protection when it comes to possible collision claims.

Comprehensive: 

Comprehensive provides coverage for damages to your vehicle caused by something other than a collision with another object. Examples include flooding, fallen objects, hail, pests, or collision with animals. This also includes glass coverage. 

This coverage is subject to your deductible, usually at a minimum of $300. However, a deductible would not typically be applied to glass repair. Your deductible for this coverage can be increased for additional savings. 

Wondering if comprehensive coverage is right for you? For more information about when this coverage is recommended, take a look at this article in our Learning Center: Do I Need Comprehensive or Collision Auto Coverage?

Towing:

This provides coverage for towing and labor costs associated with your car disablement (while at the scene). Coverage can vary by insurance company, but typically ranges from $50 to $100. 

Berry Insurance recommends this coverage for any drivers that are not already covered through AAA services. 

Medical payments: 

Medical payments (aka Med Pay) provides you with reasonable medical expenses for anyone occupying your vehicle during the time of an accident. The minimum available coverage is $5,000 per person, but this coverage can be increased. 

Optional bodily injury to others (OBI):

This coverage provides medical expense and lost income to anyone that you injure when at fault in an auto accident anywhere in the U.S. The coverage contains two limits, being per person and per accident. The minimum available coverage is $20,000 per person and $40,000 per person, but coverage can be increased. 

Berry Insurance recommends this coverage with at least $100,00 per person and $300,000 per accident. 

Rideshare and delivery coverage:

If you are driving your car as a way to make money, either through a rideshare or delivery service, you may not be covered under your standard auto policy if you were to get in an accident while on the job. 

While most rideshare and delivery services offer their own insurance for their drivers, additional insurance protections are often offered to cover drivers operating under rideshare or delivery services.   

Exotic or classic cars: 

If you own an exotic, classic, or expensive performance car, your standard auto insurance policy may not be tailored to your car's specific needs. Cars such as these tend to be more expensive to repair when they are damaged and are more likely to be stolen. 

Due to the additional costs and concerns, you would likely need to cover the vehicle under a separate specialized insurance policy. 

Custom parts or equipment:

If you have your car decked out with custom sound systems or undercarriage lighting, your insurance policy will likely not cover such expensive modifications. However, some insurance companies will offer additional coverages to protect all of your cars' customized features. 

What is not covered by auto insurance?

While an auto issuance policy offers plenty of protections, it is still important to be aware of the damages and situations to your vehicle, driver, or passengers that would not be covered under your policy. 

Wear and tear:

While having comprehensive or collision coverages on your policy will cover damages in an accident, any normal wear and tear that occurs to your vehicle overtime would not be covered under your policy. This includes any small dents, scratches, rust, or paint chips. 

Intentional damages: 

Any purposeful damages you made to your vehicle would not be covered under your auto policy. This can include situations of fraud as well as events like breaking your own window after locking yourself out of your car. 

Depending on your insurance carrier and the situation, any damages sustained caused by you or the driver being under the influence may fall under intentional damages. 

General maintenance:

Whether it is a routine oil change, tire rotation, or other maintenance for your vehicle, your auto policy will likely not cover the costs. If any required repairs or maintenance are not related to or caused by an accident, you would have to handle the cost of repair.

Personal property stolen from your car: 

An auto insurance policy handles any damages made to your vehicle, and will likely not cover you in the event that you have personal property or items stolen/damaged from your car. 

You would instead need to have a homeowners or renters insurance policy to have protection for your personal property, even if they were damaged or stolen while in your car.

To stay prepared, learn more about what situations or damages would not be covered by your auto policy here: What is Not Covered by Car Insurance?

Reviewing your auto policy

Now that you know more about everything covered by a Massachusetts auto policy, you may be wondering how you can go about adding coverages or increasing your limits. 

Reach out to your insurance agent today to review your policy and see what areas of your current policy may need updating. 

If you feel like you’re paying too much for your current auto policy, check out this guide to learn the best ways to save money on your policy: Ways to Save On Your Auto Insurance.