Can you drive without insurance in Massachusetts?
Asked by: Wilfrid Pacocha | Last update: November 5, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (4 votes)
What happens if you drive without insurance in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 Section 34J states the penalty if convicted of driving without insurance or with suspended insurance policy can be as follows: Up to one year in jail. A fine of $500 up to $5000. A suspended driver's license of 60 days.
Do you need insurance to drive in Massachusetts?
In order to register a car in Massachusetts, you must have automobile insurance. By law, you must purchase four coverages called Compulsory (or Mandatory) Coverages in, at least, minimum amounts required by law, and in higher amounts if you choose to do so.
Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?
If your son has a driver's license, he can still legally operate your car if he has his own insurance, because if he does not have insurance, you become liable for his actions.
What is the grace period for car insurance in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts new-car insurance grace period is 7 to 30 days in most cases.
What happens if you get caught without insurance
How long can you go without car insurance?
It is a crime to drive almost anywhere without car insurance coverage, even for a minute or just down the street. So, how long can you be without car insurance? If you're driving, you can't. Anytime you get behind the wheel as a licensed driver, you need insurance coverage or you'll risk incurring major consequences.
Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Massachusetts?
Your auto insurance policy must list all licensed drivers living in your household who are related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption, including drivers already covered by their own insurance policies. You should also list any person who occasionally drives your car.
Can my wife drive my car if she's not on my insurance?
A driver who lives in your household and isn't listed on your auto policy may be denied coverage if they borrow your vehicle and are involved in an accident. Family members who live in your household and drive your vehicle, including a teenager or your significant other, should be listed as drivers on your policy.
What happens if someone borrows your car and gets in an accident?
Vehicle Owners Are Liable Under California Law
This law holds a vehicle's owner responsible for collisions caused by the driver of the vehicle – even if the driver is not the owner. Liability is determined by identifying the actual owner of the vehicle.
Can I drive my parents car if my name isn t on the insurance?
Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.
What happens if you don't add a driver to your insurance?
If someone in your household, who is unknown to your insurance company, gets in an accident, your insurer might rescind or cancel your policy and/or deny your insurance claim because they've been kept in the dark.
How does the DMV find out you don't have insurance?
Electronic Verification System
Many states have laws requiring insurance companies to report each driver's policy standing to the DMV electronically. If the agency finds out you don't have insurance, it quickly updates your registration status.
Do all household members need to be on car insurance in Massachusetts?
The standard Massachusetts auto policy requires that all household members who are of driving age be listed on the policy, as well as anyone who regularly uses the vehicle. Insurance companies often use public resources, like the internet, to determine if multiple people live under the same household.
What happens if an uninsured driver hits you in Massachusetts?
In most cases, you will have to file a claim for damages under your own uninsured motorist coverage after a car accident caused by an uninsured driver. If your claim was improperly denied, you may contact our Massachusetts car accident lawyers for help suing your own insurer.
Will you get pulled over for no insurance?
If you get pulled over for a moving violation, the police officer will typically ask you for your license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If you don't have proof of insurance, you'll likely receive a citation, which will be added to your driving record and also include a fine and possibly some jail time.
Do you need insurance to drive in MA?
Massachusetts mandates that all drivers carry specific types of insurance to ensure everyone has a basic level of protection. Here's a quick look at the four compulsory coverages: Bodily Injury to Others: This covers you if you accidentally injure or cause the death of someone else while driving.
Can my son drive my car if he doesn't live with me?
If your son doesn't live with you but needs to borrow your car, he can do so with your permission. It is known as permissive use, which means that when someone who doesn't live with you gets permission to borrow your car, they are also “borrowing” your auto insurance coverage.
How does insurance work if you lend your car?
Generally, insurance coverage follows the vehicle rather than the driver. So in most instances, as long as the owner of the car has insurance, it's covered even if someone other than the owner is driving it — as long as they have the owner's permission.
Is it okay to let someone drive your car?
Can someone drive my car if they're not on my insurance? Most of the time, as long as you gave a driver permission to borrow your car, it's likely not a problem for them to drive your car, even if they're not on your car insurance policy.
Can you let someone who is not on your insurance drive your car?
Permissive use
Most car insurance policies will cover drivers you've listed on the policy, or anyone whom you give permission to drive your car, says Nolo.com. This means your insurance will likely cover another driver in the event of an accident, if they had your permission to drive your vehicle.
Does it matter whose name is on the car?
Yes, the name on a car title can impact insurance coverage. Insurance companies usually require the policyholder to have an insurable interest in the vehicle, meaning they either own the car or have a significant financial interest in it.
What happens if a driver is not listed on an insurance policy?
You regularly allow a family member or friend to drive your car, but they aren't named on your auto policy. If this person gets in an accident while driving your car, your insurance company will likely deny your claim, leaving you liable for the damages.
Can I drive my boyfriend's car if I'm not on his insurance?
If you're specifically listed on the car owner's insurance policy, you'll be covered when driving that car – even if it's not your own. If you're not on the owner's policy, applicable coverage will again depend on consent.
Can I give permission for someone to drive my car?
While your friend can drive your car and be covered by your insurance, this only applies when you give permission and lend your car. If a friend takes your car without your consent, your insurance probably won't cover them.
Does car insurance follow the car or the driver in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, automobile insurance follows the car instead of the driver.