Car insurance in Boston: Cheapest insurance and average rates

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Boston’s average full-coverage car insurance costs $2,103 annually or $175 per month. However, some companies offer better rates than others. In 2024, State Farm offered the cheapest full-coverage car insurance policy at $916 per year for full coverage.

Boston is a storied city with a rich history, and around 650,000 people call the city home. Unfortunately for Boston residents, most face one of the worst commutes in the U.S., with an average commuting time of 32.6 minutes each way. 

If you live in Boston and owe a vehicle, car insurance will likely be a big-ticket item in your budget. So, for most drivers, seeking out the cheapest option is critical. We explore the most affordable options.

How to find the best car insurance in Boston

You’ll need to shop around to find the best car insurance option in Boston. When you get quotes from at least three car insurance companies, you can compare costs to find the most affordable option. Before committing to a policy, ask the insurer if you qualify for discounts to lower costs. 

Cheapest car insurance company in Boston

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance coverage in Boston, with an average annual rate of $916 for a full coverage policy. The next cheapest company is Plymouth Rock Assurance, at $1,643 annually. 

Explore the other cheap car insurance options in Boston in the table below. 

Average annual rates from the largest U.S. insurers in Boston

How much is car insurance in Boston per month?

Since every driver has a unique situation, car insurance costs vary from driver to driver. But on average, Boston drivers pay $175 per month for full-coverage car insurance. A minimum coverage car insurance policy costs an average of $49 per month. 

The table below breaks down average car insurance premiums by insurance company and coverage level. 

Monthly rates for car insurance in Boston. 

How do rates in Boston compare to other large cities in the U.S.?

Car insurance companies take many factors into consideration when determining your auto insurance premiums. In general, urban drivers in large cities pay more for car insurance than drivers in more rural areas. That’s because big cities tend to have higher rates of vandalism, theft, and accidents, all of which pushes car insurance costs higher. 

James Brau, professor of finance at Brigham Young University, says that the more risk the insurance company must bear, the higher the premium they must charge to stay in business and make a profit. 

“Large cities tend to present more risk to the insurance companies than rural areas. Large cities have more people, more cars and higher chances of getting in wrecks or having other damage done to vehicles,” Brau says. “As such, insurance firms must charge higher premiums in cities. Cities that are relatively more dangerous, in turn, must charge higher premiums than cities that are not as risky. Insurance companies study damage losses per metropolitan area and assign premiums depending on the number of wrecks in an area.”

See how much you can expect to pay for car insurance in several major U.S. cities in the table below.

Here’s what you need to know when driving in Boston

With one of the worst commutes in the nation, making your way around this city isn’t always enjoyable. Here’s what to know about driving in Boston for a smooth and safe experience. 

• Rush hour runs from 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. If possible, avoid the roads during these times. 
• While you might know where you are going, use a map app to navigate around traffic. 
• If you’re renting a car, rent a compact vehicle, which will make it easier to navigate Boston’s narrow streets.

As you navigate the city, keep these rules in mind:

• Boston’s default speed limit is 25 mph, which means you can’t go faster unless you see a higher limit posted. 
• A flashing red light indicates that you should treat the intersection like a stop sign. 
• You cannot drive on any streetcar tracks. 
• Watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially along the narrow streets of central Boston.

How much car insurance do I need in Boston?

Drivers in Boston must carry a minimum amount of car insurance. Below is a breakdown of the state’s minimum auto insurance requirements:

• $20,000 in bodily injury per for a person involved in an accident; $40,000 for bodily injury for two or more people in an accident
• $5,000 in property damage coverage per accident
• $8,000 in personal injury protection per person, per accident
• $20,000 in bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto per person, $40,000 per accident

You’ll need an auto insurance policy with these minimum coverage requirements. But depending on your situation, you may need more insurance coverage. For example, drivers who want help repairing or replacing their own vehicle after an incident might want collision and comprehensive coverage. 

Average cost of car insurance in Boston

Drivers in Boston pay an average of $593 for a state minimum coverage policy. But drivers who want more financial protection pay an average of $2,103 for a full coverage policy. 

In contrast to the national average cost of $1,895 for a full coverage policy, Boston drivers pay significantly more. The average cost of a full coverage policy in the state of Massachusetts is $1,726 per year, which means drivers in Boston also pay more than drivers around the state. 

Annual average rates in Boston, for state minimum coverage and full coverage

How much does car insurance in Boston cost with violations?

Car insurance costs often increase after you receive a traffic violation. You should expect to pay more for car insurance if you receive a violation in the form of a speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or DUI conviction. 

For example, Boston drivers see their rates increase by an average of 67% after an accident. If you are caught speeding, that ticket could push your car insurance rates up by an average of  31%. DUIs also lead to higher costs, with an average rate increase of 120%. 

See rate increases in Boston in the table below by violation. 

Cheapest car insurance in Boston, by age

Car insurance for teens in Boston is very expensive – the annual rate for an 18-year-old is $5,589 per year for a full coverage policy. Rates start to head down at age 25 and back up in your late 60s.

Annual rates for state minimum and full coverage car insurance in Boston by age. 

Compare auto insurance rates in Boston by ZIP code 

Where you live within Boston also has an impact on your car insurance costs. In Boston, the cheapest ZIP codes for car insurance are 2163 and 2222. In contrast, the most expensive are 2128 and 2127. 

See the tables below for the cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes in Boston. 

Cheapest annual car insurance rates in Boston, by ZIP code 

Most expensive annual car insurance rates in Boston, by ZIP code 

Our recommendations: Car insurance for drivers in Boston

On average, Boston drivers get the cheapest coverage by purchasing a policy with State Farm. But Plymouth Rock Assurance and USAA also tend to offer relatively cheap rates. 

It’s worth noting that purchasing coverage based on pricing alone can be a mistake. A cheap policy isn’t worth much if it does not include the coverage you want and need. 

So, shop around and gather quotes from several insurance companies. This is the best way to get the coverage you need at the best price. 

A full coverage insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 is the best option for most drivers. Consider increasing your liability limits as you accumulate wealth and your net worth increases. Purchasing as much car insurance as you can afford will give you peace of mind as you navigate the roads of Boston. 

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In 2024, Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to pull rates for a 40-year-old who has a 12-mile commute and drives a 2023 Honda Accord LX 10k miles annually. The hypothetical driver has full coverage, carrying policy limits of 100/300/100 with $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverages. We analyzed 51,088,003 insurance quotes from 167 companies across 34,588 ZIP codes in every state and Washington, D.C.

Sarah Sharkey

Contributing Researcher

 

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Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer with a master’s degree in management from the Hough School of Business at the University of Florida. She enjoys helping readers find money solutions that work. She has written for numerous personal-finance publications including Money Under 30 and The College Investor.