Co-authored the book “Future Millionaires’ Guidebook”
13 years writing personal finance content
A former chief copy editor at Bankrate and past managing editor at Macmillan, Kim specializes in writing easy-to-understand, actionable personal finance content.
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7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
The average monthly cost of car insurance in Somerville is $110, which is lower than the state average of $174 and the national average of $154.
The relatively low insurance rate in Somerville may be attributed to less driving in the area. Only about one-third of Somerville residents drive to work, which means fewer cars on the road and a lower risk of accidents.
But every car insurance company has a different way of setting rates, so the amount you pay will depend on your age, marital status, driving history, coverage needs, and other factors. That means it’s still important to compare car insurance rates with several companies.
Liability-only insurance costs Somerville drivers an average of $103 per month, and full coverage costs $117 per month.
Safeco, Liberty Mutual, and Liberty Mutual are the cheapest car insurance companies in Somerville.
Insurers in Massachusetts can’t consider your credit history when determining rates, underwriting policies, or renewing coverage.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Somerville
While it’s possible to find cheap car insurance in Somerville, the best car insurance company for you is the one that meets your unique needs. For example, you might want to look for military discounts or get coverage that other insurance companies don’t offer.
Whatever your needs, you can find the best insurer for you by getting quotes from several insurance companies and comparing the price as well as the coverage.
Here’s a brief look at three of the top insurers in Somerville. The rates shown in the table below are for Massachusetts.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best for ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Midvale Home & Auto | 3.2 | $129 | $69 | Cheap rates |
Safeco | 8.3 | $206 | $88 | Safe drivers |
Liberty Mutual | 7.7 | $252 | $134 | Bundling |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for cheap rates: Midvale Home & Auto
A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 3.2 /10 |
Midvale Home & Auto offers Somerville drivers affordable options for both liability-only and full-coverage policies. Drivers can save even more by taking advantage of Midvale’s nine advertised discounts, including a multi-vehicle discount, bundling two or more insurance policies, and the Steer Into Savings discount for drivers who switch to Midvale from another insurer.
Gap insurance available
Roadside assistance available
Lower IQ Score than some insurers
Above-average number of complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $56/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $130/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Sarah
November 10, 2024
Too Expensive
Bonnie
November 2, 2024
The Price of Car Insurance
Harris
October 31, 2024
Just Fine
Safeco offers a program, RightTrack, in which an app observes your driving habits and rewards you for driving safely. You’ll instantly receive a 10% discount for enrolling and savings of up to 30% when you complete the program over 90 days. You may also automatically receive 2.5% of your policy premium in cash back if you remain claims-free over a six-month period.
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating for claims handling
Discount for safe driving
Limited number of available discounts
Not available in every state
Best insurer for bundling: Liberty Mutual
User Reviews | 3.7 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.7 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $85/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $159/mo |
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Michael
November 19, 2024
Go Elsewhere
Deborah
November 12, 2024
Examine Every Inch of Your Policy
Lee
November 12, 2024
Ugh!
You can find many different coverage options with Liberty Mutual, including insurance for cars, homes, businesses, pets, and more. And if you bundle your auto insurance with any other type of policy with Liberty Mutual, you can save on your premium. For example, the insurer says new customers who bundle their auto and home insurance can save nearly $950 per year. The company also advertises more than a dozen discounts.
Accident forgiveness and gap coverage available
Offers temporary Mexico car insurance coverage
Below-average rating for claims handling by J.D. Power
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in New England
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Somerville
To find the cheapest car insurance in Somerville, it may help to know what factors insurers look at. Your driving record and the car you drive heavily influence your premium rate, but so do characteristics like your age, gender, marital status, and ZIP code.
Here are some tips to help you find cheap car insurance in Somerville:[1]
Compare car insurance quotes. Because rates can vary among insurers, it’s a good idea to review quotes from multiple companies. Comparison shopping can help you find the coverage you need at the best price available to you.
Adjust your coverage amount. About one-third of Somerville residents commute by public transportation and may drive infrequently. If you do, you have a lower chance of getting into an accident, and you may be fine with less coverage. You can save by increasing your deductible, dropping comprehensive or collision coverage, or lowering your liability amounts.
Consider a telematics program. Many insurance companies use telematics programs, which require you to install a device in your car or use an app that tracks your driving behavior. If you demonstrate safe driving habits, you could save up to 30% off your auto insurance policy, depending on the insurer.
Maintain a clean driving record. Insurers generally consider you to be a safe driver when you avoid speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents. This lowers risk for the insurance company, so it may offer you lower premiums.
Ask about discounts. Your insurance company may offer discounts for things like driving safely, receiving good grades, or bundling your auto coverage with another type of insurance policy with that company. These discounts could help you save, so ask your insurer to see what you might qualify for.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Somerville: Safeco
If you cause a car accident, liability-only car insurance will cover the other party’s medical bills and the costs of repairing or replacing their property.
However, car insurance requirements differ in Massachusetts because it’s a no-fault state. Massachusetts drivers must carry liability insurance in addition to personal injury protection (PIP), which pays for the policyholder’s medical expenses after an accident, no matter who’s at fault.
You also must carry uninsured motorist insurance, which pays for your property damage if you’re in an accident with an at-fault driver without coverage.[2]
Liability-only car insurance in Somerville costs an average of $103 per month. The following insurers offer the cheapest liability-only car insurance in Somerville.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Safeco | $56 |
Liberty Mutual | $85 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Somerville: Safeco
Full-coverage car insurance typically refers to a policy that contains collision and comprehensive coverage on top of the state’s minimum liability coverage.
Collision coverage pays for your injuries and your car’s repair bills when you’re in an accident with another car or object, while comprehensive coverage pays for your car repairs after non-collision events, like theft or falling objects.
Full-coverage insurance in Somerville costs $117 per month, on average. The following insurers offer the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Somerville.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Safeco | $130 |
Liberty Mutual | $159 |
Cheapest recent rates near Somerville, Massachusetts
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $52/mo for liability only and $123/mo for full coverage in Somerville and other Massachusetts cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Somerville, Massachusetts within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Somerville, Massachusetts within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is a no-fault state, which means your insurance company covers your medical costs following an accident, regardless of who caused it. But if you’re at fault, your liability coverage will pay for the other party’s costs.
Because the Bay State follows no-fault rules, all drivers must carry bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage.
The minimum requirements for each of these coverages are below.[2]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident |
Property damage liability | $5,000 per accident |
Personal injury protection (PIP) | $8,000 per accident |
Uninsured motorist bodily injury | $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident |
While the following coverages are optional in the state of Massachusetts, you might want to consider them for more protection:
Roadside assistance coverage
Each insurer may offer different services, but roadside assistance usually covers towing, jump-starts, flat-tire changes, and more for policyholders.
Rental reimbursement coverage
If your car needs repairs after you file a covered claim, this coverage pays for a rental car, up to a daily limit.
Collision coverage
Regardless of fault, collision insurance pays to repair or replace your car after you’re in a collision with another vehicle or object.
Comprehensive coverage
If your car is damaged in a non-collision incident, such as theft or severe weather, comprehensive insurance pays to repair or replace your vehicle.
Gap coverage
Gap insurance pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the current value of your car if it’s totaled in an accident. It might be a good idea to buy this type of coverage if you lease or finance your car.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Having a traffic violation on your record is more than just an inconvenience — it can also cause your car insurance rates to increase.[3] Insurers generally consider you a higher risk when you have a speeding ticket, driving under the influence violation, or an at-fault accident on your record, and they’ll take that into consideration when pricing your policy at renewal.
But you can still find car insurance at an affordable price even if you don’t have a spotless driving record. The table below shows how different driving incidents can affect your car insurance rates.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ | With At-Fault Accident ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Safeco | $56 | $64 | $75 | $68 |
Liberty Mutual | $85 | $103 | $122 | $113 |
Average cost of car insurance by age
Car insurance rates are highest for young drivers because they’re more likely to be involved in car accidents and are easily distracted on the roads.[4] Rates start decreasing around age 35 and decline steadily over a few decades. But premiums go up for senior drivers around age 70, when the risk of an accident rises again.[5]
The table below shows average monthly quotes for Somerville drivers by age group.
Age ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Teens | $290 |
20s | $146 |
30s | $108 |
40s | $113 |
50s | $82 |
60s | $85 |
70s | $74 |
Somerville car insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for car insurance in Somerville, MA, this additional information may help as you research your coverage options.
How much is car insurance in Somerville?
Liability-only insurance in Somerville costs an average of $103 per month, and full coverage costs $117 per month, according to Insurify data.
Can insurance companies in Massachusetts use credit scores to set rates?
No. In Massachusetts, car insurance companies can’t use credit scores to set rates, underwrite a new policy, or renew an existing policy.
Which companies have the cheapest car insurance in Somerville?
Safeco has the cheapest car insurance in Somerville, with a monthly liability-only rate of $56. Other affordable insurers include Liberty Mutual and Liberty Mutual, with monthly liability-only rates of $85 and $65, respectively.
But the cheapest car insurance company for you will depend on multiple factors, including your age, ZIP code, driving record, and chosen coverage levels.
What are the best car insurance companies in Somerville?
Liberty Mutual is one of the best car insurance companies in Somerville. It has an IQ Score of 7.7 out of 5, an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, and multiple coverage options.
Other top insurers in Somerville include Midvale Home & Auto and Safeco.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Massachusetts
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance. "Basics of Auto Insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Driver and Passenger Safety."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Older Adult Drivers."
Kim Porter is a writer and editor who's been creating personal finance content since 2010. Before transitioning to full-time freelance writing in 2018, Kim was the chief copy editor at Bankrate, a managing editor at Macmillan, and co-author of the personal finance book "Future Millionaires' Guidebook." Her work has appeared in AARP's print magazine and on sites such as U.S. News & World Report, Fortune, NextAdvisor, Credit Karma, and more. Kim loves to bake and exercise in her free time, and she plans to run a half marathon on each continent.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in