How can I get points off my license in Massachusetts?

Drivers in Massachusetts need $20,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person (up to $40,000 per accident) and $5,000 of property damage liability insurance. Massachusetts also requires personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist insurance. PIP covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, and UM replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should’ve had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits.... read full answer

Here’s How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in Massachusetts:

If you lease or finance your car, you may be required to carry coverage types that are not mandatory under Massachusetts law. Lenders usually require comprehensive and collision insurance. Collision insurance covers repairs to your car when you hit another car or object. If the damage to your vehicle was caused by something other than a collision—like a natural disaster, vandalism, falling objects, or animals—it is most likely covered by comprehensive insurance. Lenders may also require gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and what the vehicle was worth if it gets stolen or totaled.

Even if you’re not required to carry these optional coverage types, you may still need them. You can learn more about when to drop optional coverage and the penalties for driving without insurance in Massachusetts to make sure you’re paying for the coverage you need.

A high-risk driver is someone who is much more likely to file an insurance claim than the average driver. Some of the most common attributes of high-risk drivers are a history of car accidents, multiple tickets and citations, bad credit, and a conviction for a serious offense like DUI. Regardless of the exact reason why you’re classified as a high-risk driver, it can have a serious impact on your ability to get affordable car insurance down the road.... read full answer

Here’s what makes someone a high-risk driver:

• One or more car accidents in the last three years
• Multiple tickets and citations
• Bad credit
• DUI/DWI
• Lapse in coverage
• Owning a sports car
• Needing an SR-22 or FR-44
• Being a new or teen driver
• Living in a high-risk zip code

Although your driving record has the greatest impact on your high-risk status, other factors come into play, too. For example, a lapse in your auto insurance coverage can signal to insurers that you’re willing to take more risks and are therefore more likely to get into an accident. And if you live in an area that has a high crime rate, there’s a greater chance that your car will be damaged and you’ll file a claim.

Since high-risk drivers generally have an increased likelihood of filing a claim, they can have a more difficult time getting car insurance, and usually have to pay more for coverage. There’s no quick fix, either, unfortunately. But the good thing is that your high-risk status isn’t permanent. If you practice good habits and drive safely, your risk will drop over time. How far back an insurer looks back at your driving record depends on the company, but most minor traffic violations only stay on your driving record for 3-5 years.

One point is unlikely to affect a driver’s insurance costs, if it is the only point on the driver’s record. One point is assigned for a minor violation, like driving with broken taillights or an expired license, which the insurance company might not even hear about it. And if the insurer does not tally the point, it will not result in a higher premium.... read full answer

Forty-one of the 50 states use a license-points system. Drivers get points for different traffic violations, such as speeding and driving under the influence. The other nine states (Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming) keep track of the number of traffic violations you have, instead. Then your license will be suspended if you end up with too many violations. The only difference is that those nine states don’t use a publicly defined points system, where specific traffic violations equal a certain number of points toward a suspended license.

The long-term effects of 1 point on your license

Insurance companies don’t track state license points, but they definitely care about the traffic violations that earn you those points. So your license points and your insurance costs are related. In fact, insurance companies have their own points systems for policy pricing, which consider serious traffic violations, claims history, and more.

That’s important because an additional violation or claim could potentially raise your insurance rates by 50% or more, if you already have a point on your record. Having a point on your record means that you’re one point closer to exceeding your state’s point limit and losing your driving privileges.

In some states, a defensive driving course can get points wiped off your record. Once you complete the course, your state removes a set number of points from your license. However, not all states have a point reduction program, including some states that use points to track violations. That’s why it’s still important to pay your ticket(s) on time and do your best to abide by all traffic laws if you want to increase your chances of avoiding any further state or insurance penalties.