Penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts
Driving without insurance is a major traffic violation in all states, and it usually results in several penalties. Driving without insurance is considered a civil motor vehicle infraction (CMVI) in the state of Massachusetts, which means you could face serious penalties such as a hefty fine, jail time, and the loss of your driving privileges.
Massachusetts car insurance laws
Massachusetts, like every other state, has laws governing the amount of insurance that vehicle owners must carry. The minimum insurance requirements are intended to protect all drivers from major expenses resulting from car accidents. Massachusetts' minimum insurance requirements require all drivers to have:
- $20,000 / $40,000 for bodily injury liability coverage.
- $5,000 for property damage coverage.
- $20,000 / $40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
- $8,000 for personal injury protection
In most cases, drivers are encouraged to obtain more coverage than the bare minimum. While Massachusetts has higher minimum insurance requirements than some other states, minimum coverage may not be sufficient to cover all damages in the event of an accident, leaving you financially vulnerable.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts
Before driving a personal vehicle in Massachusetts, you must obtain the minimum insurance requirements. The following are the penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts:
Pay a fine
If you are found driving without insurance in Massachusetts, you could face a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000, according to state law. If you are caught driving without insurance more than once, you may face even higher fines.
Jail
If you are found guilty of driving without insurance in Massachusetts, you could face up to one year in prison (with potentially more jail time if you are convicted of multiple offenses).
Driving privileges revoked
In addition to fines and possible jail time, your driver's license and registration may be suspended. Driving privileges will be suspended for 60 days if you are convicted of driving without car insurance. If you commit two or more offenses, your license may be suspended for a longer period of time.
Reinstatement Fee
If you have your driver's license or registration suspended, you must reinstate it and pay a fee. The fee to reinstate a suspended license in Massachusetts ranges between $100 and $1,200. The precise fine is determined by the type of suspension.
Additional Fees
You may be charged additional fees in addition to the fines and reinstatement fees. For example, if you want to appeal a decision made by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), you must pay a $50 fee. If you request a court hearing, you must pay a $25 filing fee, which is refunded if you win the hearing.
Fees from Massachusetts’s online insurance verification system
The Massachusetts RMV collaborated with Boston Software Corporation to launch an online service that allows insurance agents to renew and reinstate vehicle registrations. Insurance companies, drivers, and authorities can all use this online insurance verification system to confirm that a vehicle is adequately insured. This system was designed to ensure that all vehicle owners meet the minimum insurance requirements before driving on the road.
Reason for fee | Fee amount |
Requesting a hearing to dispute civil motor vehicle infraction citation | $25 |
Late fee for failure to respond within 20 days | $40 to $45 |
First offense driving uninsured | $500 |
Second offense driving uninsured | $500 to $5,000 |
Reinstatement fee for driver’s license or registration after suspension | $100 to $1,200 |
Getting into an accident without insurance in Massachusetts
There are several things that can happen if you get into an accident in Massachusetts without car insurance.
If you are at fault in an accident, you must still pay all penalties that apply if you do not have adequate insurance. Because Massachusetts is a no-fault state, you will have to pay for damage to your vehicle or yourself regardless of who was at fault for the accident, even if the other driver hit you.
Driving uninsured can complicate the process if you are involved in an accident that was your fault. You will have to pay for all vehicle damage and medical bills for all parties out of your own pocket, which can quickly add up. If your license was suspended as a result of the crash, you may be required to obtain an SR-22 certificate for several years.
If you are unable or unwilling to pay, the other driver and their insurance company may sue you and garnish your wages to cover the costs of the accident. This could result in significant debt, particularly if the other driver does not have uninsured motorist coverage.