Wareham Car Insurance

Car accidents happen, even to the most careful drivers. That why vehicle owners in Wareham are required by law to carry car insurance. From fender-benders on Cranberry Highway to serious collisions on I-195, a good auto insurance policy can prevent you from facing large financial losses as a result.

Finding the best and most affordable car insurance is easy when you work with an independent insurance agent. These agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes from a variety of top-rated insurers. Contact an insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Wareham, MA?

On average, the cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is higher than the national average. Comparing rates from a variety of insurance companies enables you to get your policy at the most competitive price.

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

The rate shown above can only give you a general idea of what you might actually be expected to pay. Car insurance costs can vary a lot from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors. Your quoted price can be affected by the following things.

• The make, model, and year of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
• Details about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount of coverage you are purchasing
• The options you are including in your policy
• The size of your deductible

You can usually get rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies like home insurance or renters insurance. Many insurance companies also offer other money saving incentives like good student discounts and good driver discounts.

What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Massachusetts?

Every state has its own minimum coverage requirements for auto insurance. All car insurance policies must include these coverages in Massachusetts.

• Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance: This pays for the treatment of injuries you and your family may sustain in a collision, regardless of fault. Your policy must include the following.
  • PIP coverage of at least $8,000 per accident.
• Liability insurance: This pays for other people’s injuries and property damage if you cause a collision. Massachusetts is a no-fault state, so the injured party’s personal injury protection coverage will provide the first line of defense for their medical bills. Your policy must include the following.
  • Bodily injury liability coverage of at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability coverage of at least $5,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist insurance: This pays for your medical treatments if you are injured in an accident with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver and your medical costs exceed what your PIP insurance can cover. Your policy must include the following.
  • Uninsured bodily injury coverage of at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.

If you cause a serious collision that involves multiple vehicles or serious injuries, a minimum coverage policy may not be sufficient to cover your financial obligations. That is why many drivers in Wareham opt to purchase policies that provide more coverage than the state requires.

If you have a lot to lose and want even more liability coverage than your car insurance policy can offer, you can also purchase umbrella insurance. This is an affordable way to significantly boost all of your personal liability coverage.

What Else Can Wareham Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the mandatory liability coverage mentioned above, most car insurance providers also offer a variety of coverage options that you may want to include in your Wareham auto insurance policy, such as the following.

• Collision insurance: This pays for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if is it damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault. This coverage is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle and by dealerships if you have it on a lease.
• Comprehensive insurance: This pays for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a non-collision like a flood or hailstorm. This coverage is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle and by dealerships if you have it on a lease.
• Roadside assistance and towing: This pays for the cost of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are away from home, such as if you get a flat tire or your engine overheats.
• Gap insurance: This pays your remaining costs if your car is totaled in a covered event but you still own more on your car loan than the vehicle is worth. New cars lose value very quickly, so this coverage is usually a good idea during the first couple years of new vehicle ownership.
• Rental car reimbursement: This pay for the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired following a covered event.

It is a good idea to review the details of each type of coverage as well as how much it will cost to add them to your policy so you can determine which options are a good value for your and your family.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Wareham?

It is illegal to drive without insurance in Massachusetts. If caught, you will be charged with a civil motor vehicle infraction (CMVI). As a result, you can face the following penalties.

• A fine ranging from $500 to $5,000
• The suspension of your driver’s license for 60 days to one year
• A reinstatement fee of $500 to be paid to the state’s assigned risk plan
• Possible incarceration for up to one year for repeat offenders

Because of these harsh consequences, it is little surprise that this state has one of the lowest rates of uninsured drivers in the country.

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

If you are injured in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you for any medical costs that exceed your PIP coverage. However, this money can be extremely difficult to collect, especially if the at-fault driver simply has no money or assets to go after.

Uninsured motorist insurance was created to ensure that you can you receive timely compensation without the need to take legal action. After compensating you, your insurance company will attempt to collect the money owed by uninsured driver and will absorb the losses if unsuccessful.

Does Wareham Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?

The auto theft rate in the state of Massachusetts is lower than the national rate, and in Wareham, the rate is even lower. That is not to say the risk does not exist. Residents of this city reported 20 vehicle thefts in 2019. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
• Massachusetts auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.96
• Wareham auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.86

Even though your risk is low, you should be aware that you can only get compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (also known as “other than collision”) coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers more than just auto thefts. It can also reimburse you for repair costs if your car is damaged in another non-collision event like a garage fire, hurricane, or windstorm.

If you lease your car or you are still paying on your auto loan, chances are good you have this coverage already. If not, you may want to find out how much it will cost to add comprehensive coverage to your car insurance policy.

Why Ask a Local Independent Insurance Agent Help You?

You can turn to a local independent agent for help when you are looking for the best auto insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they are free to shop around for the coverage you want at a price you can afford.

It doesn’t cost anything to have a consultation with an independent insurance agent. When you are ready to start comparing customized car insurance quotes, contact an insurance agent near you.