Car Insurance in Cambridge
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Getting Around Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is known worldwide as the home of Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but the city is far more than that. From the bustling Harvard Square to numerous museums and historical sites, the town is full of entertaining and educational locations. Getting around Cambridge is easy; while the car ownership rate is 63%, the town also offers a commuter train with six stations and a public bus system with 27 routes. Automobile owners should maximize their ability to enjoy the local sights by updating their car insurance in Cambridge.
Traveling around Cambridge can sometimes be a hazard because of the weather. Winters are very cold, with average temperatures below 45 between the months of December and mid-March. Cambridge also gets high amounts of snow, with an average of 9 inches in January, the snowiest month. Middlesex County also experiences twice as many natural disasters as other areas in the U.S., with 17 disasters and 14 federal emergencies declared due to storms, floods, hurricanes, extreme winter weather and other issues.
With a population of over 115,000 that has grown 15% over the last decade, the dense city of Cambridge has invested a great deal of resources to improve traffic safety. The average speed limit is 26.2 miles per hour, which is lower than the U.S. average of 29.3. Lower speeds seem to equal safer streets, with the crash rate of Cambridge sitting at 2.1 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually, compared to the U.S. average of 11.
The Cost of Car Insurance in Cambridge
Drivers in Massachusetts pay an estimated 37% less than the national average. However, Cambridge is one of the more expensive cities in the state when it comes to insuring a vehicle. A full coverage premium costs an average of $1,326 for Cambridge residents. This difference can be due to several factors.
Weather Risks
The high risk of natural disasters and the above-average snowfall in the Cambridge area have a negative impact on driving conditions. These factors can cause traffic hazards and increase road deterioration, which can affect the insurance risk level and drive premiums up.
Cost of Living
The estimated mean value of a home in Cambridge is over $1,000,000, more than double the state average of $480,000. The cost of living index is 148.6 in Cambridge, which greatly exceeds the U.S. average of 100. Residents in expensive areas like this typically own expensive cars as well, which impacts the average car insurance premiums.
Car Insurance in Cambridge Coverage
Auto insurance policies can provide coverage to protect in a variety of situations. While the options are many, there are four primary types that are typically purchased.
- Bodily Injury: covers injuries caused to others
- Property Damage: covers damage caused to another's property
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): covers costs of injury caused to the policyholder
- Uninsured Motorist: covers the cost of damages and injury caused by someone without insurance
Optional policies include comprehensive coverage, which offers the broadest form of protection, and collision, which covers damage to the policyholder's vehicle when they cause the accident. VIU by HUB can help drivers find the most competitive rates on car insurance in Cambridge.
Massachusetts Car Insurance Laws
Car insurance in Cambridge is required by Massachusetts law. Vehicle owners must hold the following types of policies:
- Bodily Injury ($20,000 per person; $40,000 per accident)
- Property Damage ($5,000 per accident)
- Personal Injury Protection ($8,000 per person, per accident)
- Uninsured Motorist ($20,000 per person; $40,000 per accident)
Registered vehicle owners can use VIU by HUB to review a variety of quotes on car insurance in Cambridge to ensure they are getting the best value on their policy.
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
