What types of insurance are mandatory for drivers in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, drivers are required to carry a specific set of insurance coverages to ensure that they are financially responsible in the event of an accident. The mandatory types of insurance include bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, and property damage liability.

Bodily injury liability provides coverage for medical expenses and other costs associated with injuries sustained by others in an accident where the policyholder is at fault. Personal injury protection (PIP) covers medical expenses and lost wages for the policyholder and their passengers, regardless of who is at fault in the accident. Property damage liability covers the costs associated with damage to another person's property caused by the insured driver's vehicle.

While collision and comprehensive coverage are valuable for protecting the driver’s own vehicle, they are not mandated under Massachusetts law. Only vehicle liability insurance is a broad term that does not encompass the comprehensive nature of the required coverage that includes both personal injury protection and property damage liability. Uninsured motorist coverage, while it is often recommended, is not a mandatory requirement by itself. Therefore, the combination of bodily injury, personal injury protection, and property damage liability reflects the comprehensive insurance requirements for drivers in the state.