Reading Car Insurance

Vehicle owners in Reading, MA, are required to have car insurance. Whether you find yourself involved in a fender bender on Route 28 or in a serious collision on the Yankee Division Highway, a solid auto insurance policy can prevent you from experiencing large financial losses as a result.

Independent insurance agents can help you find the best and most affordable auto insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs. Find an insurance agent in Reading to learn more, and you can start comparing customized car insurance quotes in no time.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Reading, MA?

The average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is higher than the national average. Shopping around and comparing rates has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars a year.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Massachusetts average annual car insurance cost: $1,460

You can expect that the quotes you get from insurance companies will differ, not just from the average rate listed above, but from each other. This is because each insurance company has its own way of assessing risk and assigning rates. Your quotes will be based on a number of factors such as:

• The make, model, trim, and year of every vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, gender, occupation, and marital status
• Your driving record and credit score
• Information about other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount of your deductible
• The amount of liability insurance you are purchasing
• The coverage options you are including in your policy

If you are bundling your car insurance with other policies like homeowners insurance or renters insurance, you can often get significant discounts on each of your policies. You may also qualify other discounts if you have a safe driving record or are a student with good grades.

Let a local independent insurance agent help you compare prices and ensure that you receive all discounts for which you qualify so that you can obtain the coverage you need at the most competitive rate.

What Does Reading Car Insurance Cover?

Car insurance policies can provide you with a mixture of required and optional coverage. As a resident of Reading, your policy must meet or exceed the state’s bare minimum coverage requirements.

The state of Massachusetts requires drivers to carry liability insurance, personal injury protection insurance (PIP), and uninsured motorist insurance. However, if you are still paying for your car, your lender will likely require you to also carry comprehensive and collision insurance.

You can expect your insurance provider to offer the following types of coverage:

• Liability insurance (required):  This covers other people’s injuries and damages if you cause an accident. Your policy must include bodily-injury liability coverage of at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident; and property damage liability coverage of at least $5,000 per accident.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) (required): This pays for your medical expenses if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. Your policy must include at least $8,000 in personal injury protection insurance.
• Uninsured motorist insurance (required): This pays for injuries that go beyond what your PIP insurance covers if you are in a collision that was caused by an uninsured, under-insured, or hit and run driver. Your policy must include bodily injury coverage of at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.
• Collision insurance (partially optional): This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision, regardless of fault. Though optional by law, this coverage is often required by lenders until your car is paid off and by dealerships if you are leasing it.
• Comprehensive insurance (partially optional): This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is lost or damaged due a non-collision event such as a flood, falling object, or garage fire. Though optional by law, this coverage is often required by lenders until your car is paid off and by dealerships if you are leasing it.
• Roadside assistance and towing (optional): This pays for the cost of assistance if your vehicle becomes disabled while you are out on the road, such as if you get a flat tire or run out of gas.
• Rental reimbursement coverage (optional): This pays for the cost of renting a vehicle while repairs are being made to your car following a covered event.

Talk to your insurance agent for help determining how much liability coverage you can reasonably afford and to discuss which coverage options may be right for you.

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Why Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance So Important?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Massachusetts. If caught driving a vehicle that is not insured, you can face some pretty tough penalties. These can include fines up to $5,000, suspension of your driving privileges for up to one year, a $500 reinstatement fee, and even up to a year in jail.

Perhaps because of these harsh consequences, Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of uninsured motorists in the country.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 12.6%
• Percentage of Massachusetts drivers who are uninsured: 6.2%

Uninsured motorist insurance lets you rest assured that if an uninsured, under-insured, or hit-and-run driver is responsible for a collision with your vehicle, you will receive the compensation you are due without needing to go through expensive lawyers or time-consuming lawsuits.

While this coverage is optional in many states, it is required in Massachusetts. Fortunately, because of the low rate of uninsured drivers in this state, this type of coverage is relatively inexpensive here.

How High Is the Auto Theft Rate in Reading?

The auto theft rate in Massachusetts is lower than the national average, and in Reading, the risk is even lower. Residents of Reading report about 8 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.94
• Massachusetts auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 1.18
• Reading auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.30

Though it’s unlikely that your car will be stolen in this city, chances are good that you occasionally travel to riskier areas in your car. You should therefore be aware that in order for you to be reimbursed for an auto theft, your car insurance policy must include comprehensive coverage, which is optional.

If you are still paying for your car, you probably already have this coverage. If not, talk to your insurance agent to learn how much it will cost you to add this useful “other than collision” coverage to your car insurance policy.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Reading, MA?

Independent agents can be a great resource when you are looking for the best and most affordable car insurance policy. These insurance professionals can explain your many coverage options, answer your insurance-related questions, and help you review offerings from multiple providers.

Be sure you are choosing a policy that offers you the best value for your money. Contact an independent insurance agent with an office in Reading to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.