I have compulsory insurance in Massachusetts. I have $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident coverage (BI). I was told that I don't have coverage for someone that rides in my car and that I have to get Optional Bodily Injury to Others coverage. Why do I have to get more insurance covered for others if I already have it?

In Massachusetts it is mandated that you have 4 types of auto insurance coverages. This includes Bodily Injury to Others, Personal Injury Protection, Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto and Damage to Someone Else's Property.

The mandatory or compulsory Bodily Injury to Others pays for damages (e.g. medical expenses, pain and suffering) to anyone injured or killed by your car only in an accident that occurs in Massachusetts, up to basic limit of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. Injuries to the driver and passengers of your car are not covered under this part of an insurance policy but under coverages such as PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage and Optional BI to Others.

According to the MA insurance regulatory body, if you drive outside of Massachusetts or in places where the public has no right of access, or if you drive with guests in your car, you should purchase Optional Bodily Injury to Others, for coverage that will protect you in such situations.

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Optional Bodily Injury to Others is a type of coverage that extends your liability protection (the basic $20,000/$40,000 limits under Bodily Injury to Others) up to the amount you purchase under this part. This option provides coverage for accidents beyond Massachusetts to anywhere in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada. This coverage also pays for damages suffered by guests in your auto, which is not covered under the compulsory BI coverage.

You could be sued and may be liable for much more than the $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident limits required under Bodily Injury to Others. Buying higher limits for both the Compulsory Bodily Injury to Others coverage ad under the Optional Bodily Injury to Others coverage may make good sense if you have assets you wish to protect.

For more information on the different types of compulsory and optional auto insurance coverages you can speak to your agent or contact the MA Division of Insurance.