What do you need for proof of insurance in Massachusetts?
Are you driving your vehicle? The proof of insurance must be presented to law enforcement officers upon request and in certain other situations, such as registering your vehicle or renewing your driver’s license. To show proof of insurance in Massachusetts, you can provide one of the following documents:
Insurance ID Card: Your auto insurance company will provide you with an insurance ID card, which includes information about your policy, such as the name of the insurance agency, the approach number, and the effective dates of coverage. You can keep a paper copy of this card in your vehicle or store a digital copy on your smartphone.
Electronic Proof of Insurance: In Massachusetts, you can also show electronic proof of insurance, such as an image of your insurance ID card on your smartphone. However, you must be able to display the electronic proof of insurance on demand, even if you don’t have an internet connection.
Certificate of Insurance: Your insurance company can provide you with a certificate of insurance, a document showing proof of your insurance coverage.
It is important to note that the proof of insurance must show that you have the minimum required insurance coverage in Massachusetts. As of September 2021, the minimum required coverage in Massachusetts is:
$20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury to others
$5,000 for property damage to others
$8,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) coverage
Sure, here is some additional information about auto insurance in Massachusetts:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: In Massachusetts, auto insurance policies must also include uninsured motorist coverage, which protects if you are in a mishap with a driver who doesn’t have protection or needs more protection to cover the harm.
Punishments for Driving Without Protection: Assuming you are found driving without protection in Massachusetts, you could face fines, license suspension, and other liabilities. The penalties can be more severe if you are involved in an accident and don’t have insurance.
Proof of Insurance for Registration: In Massachusetts, you must also provide proof of insurance when registering your vehicle or renewing your registration. The insurance company must send an electronic notification of your insurance coverage to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) for you to be able to register your vehicle.
Massachusetts Assigned Insurance Plan: If you cannot find auto insurance on the open market due to a poor driving record or other factors, you may be eligible for coverage through the Massachusetts Assigned Insurance Plan (MAIP). The MAIP is a state-sponsored program that ensures all drivers have auto insurance access. However, insurance through the MAIP can be more expensive than coverage obtained through the open market.
