Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Massachusetts in 2025

Massachusetts law mandates motor vehicle liability insurance for all vehicles operated on public roadways. Under Chapter 90, Section 34A of the Massachusetts General Laws, every person registering a motor vehicle must obtain a certificate stating that insurance coverage or other acceptable security has been or will be provided for the vehicle.

Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage

Massachusetts law establishes that in order to register a car in Massachusetts, automobile insurance must be obtained. By law, all vehicle owners must purchase four coverages called Compulsory or Mandatory Coverages in at least the minimum amounts required by law. Failure to maintain required insurance coverage results in registration suspension, license suspension, and legal penalties.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, a section within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, administers vehicle registration throughout the state. The RMV is responsible for registering and inspecting motor vehicles, licensing drivers, and processing payments for traffic citations in Massachusetts. The Registry maintains the Insurance Policies at the RMV database to monitor insurance coverage for all registered vehicles in Massachusetts.

Vehicle owners who allow insurance coverage to lapse face serious consequences. Operating a motor vehicle without insurance constitutes a violation of Massachusetts law. The Registry of Motor Vehicles Insurance Policies at the RMV Program was designed to remove uninsured motorists from the roads of the Commonwealth. Insurance companies are required to report all insurance policies to the RMV database in accordance with state guidelines. The RMV uses this information to verify continuous insurance coverage for all registered vehicles.

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
25 Newport Avenue Extension, Quincy, MA 02171
Phone: (857) 368-8000
Official Website: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements

Massachusetts law establishes minimum coverage amounts for motor vehicle liability insurance. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance regulates insurance companies and provides guidance on coverage requirements. As of July 1, 2025, mandatory minimum amounts for bodily injury and property damage increased.

Massachusetts requires minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Bodily Injury to Others protects drivers from legal liability if they accidentally injure or cause the death of someone else while operating their vehicle. This coverage only covers losses if the accident occurs in Massachusetts and does not cover injury or death of passengers in the insured vehicle.

Personal Injury Protection coverage provides payment up to $8,000 for medical expenses, up to 75% of lost wages, and replacement services. Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means no matter who causes the accident, PIP will pay these expenses for the insured, anyone authorized to drive the insured vehicle, anyone living in the insured household, passengers in the insured vehicle, and pedestrians. PIP is a compulsory coverage in Massachusetts.

Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto protects drivers, household members, and passengers against losses caused by an uninsured or unidentified hit-and-run driver. Minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 total for all people injured by the uninsured auto is required.

Damage to Someone Else's Property, also known as Property Damage, pays for damage to another person's property when the insured, a household member, or another authorized driver causes accidental damage to another person's property. A minimum limit of $30,000 is required.

Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are not mandated by Massachusetts law but may be required by lenders for financed vehicles. Underinsured motorist coverage provides protection if involved in an accident caused by a driver who does not have enough insurance coverage. This optional coverage helps pay for bodily injuries if the at-fault party's liability limits are not high enough to cover losses.

Massachusetts Division of Insurance
1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 521-7794
Official Website: Massachusetts Division of Insurance

Proof of Insurance Documents

In Massachusetts, operators of motor vehicles must carry proof of insurance at all times while operating a motor vehicle. Massachusetts law requires all vehicle owners to maintain proof of compulsory insurance coverage. The following formats are accepted:

• Insurance Identification Card (Paper): The traditional printed insurance card provided by insurance companies shows policy information, insured name, vehicle information, and coverage dates.
• Electronic Proof of Insurance: Massachusetts accepts electronic proof of insurance displayed on mobile phones or other portable electronic devices. Operators may present proof of insurance in digital format when requested by law enforcement officers.
• Certificate of Insurance: Documentation from the insurance company stating that it has or will insure the applicant for registration with respect to the motor vehicle under a motor vehicle liability policy that conforms to Massachusetts requirements.
• Insurance Binder: A binder, as defined by Massachusetts law, providing indemnity or protection pending the issue of a motor vehicle liability policy.

Operators must present proof of insurance when requested by law enforcement officers during traffic stops or when involved in accidents. Insurance identification cards must show the policy information, coverage amounts, effective dates, and insured vehicle information. Failure to provide proof of insurance when requested may result in citations and penalties.

Exceptions to Insurance Requirements

Limited exceptions to the financial responsibility requirement exist under Massachusetts law:

• Non-Resident Military Personnel: Non-domiciliary soldiers and sailors stationed in Massachusetts may be eligible for exemptions from certain registration requirements if they register motor vehicles in Massachusetts while stationed in the Commonwealth.
• Federal Government Employees: Employees of the federal government operating vehicles while acting within the scope of their office or employment and covered by federal provisions are exempt from certain requirements.

Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles processes vehicle registration applications and renewals at service centers throughout the state and through participating AAA offices.

When registering a vehicle purchased from a dealer or individual, owners must provide evidence of insurance coverage before registration can be completed. The insurance certificate must show that the policy provides the four mandatory coverages: Bodily Injury to Others, Personal Injury Protection, Bodily Injury Caused by Uninsured Auto, and Damage to Someone Else's Property. The RMV verifies insurance through the electronic insurance verification database before processing registration transactions.

Massachusetts law requires new residents to register vehicles in Massachusetts as soon as they become Massachusetts residents. New registrants must provide proof of Massachusetts insurance coverage that meets state minimum compulsory coverage requirements. Out-of-state insurance policies do not satisfy Massachusetts registration requirements for vehicles being registered in Massachusetts.

Online registration renewals are available through the myRMV online service center. To renew vehicle registration online, owners need their driver's license number, the last four digits of their Social Security number, the vehicle registration plate number, and a payment method. The online system processes renewal transactions for eligible vehicles with verified insurance coverage.