car insurance companies? (Boston: buying, taxi, cost)

[middle-of-nowhere]

Although this has no relevance to my decision whether to move to Boston or NYC, it got me curious to find the reasons behind it. I was curious to find how my car insurance payments might change if I moved.

To my surprise, a lot of auto insurance companies don't seem to be doing business in Mass. Especially the national brands that do a lot of their business on the web. Why is this the case?

[OREGONRAIN]

Mass has had auto insurance problems for years, and it is a serious problem. The insurance business in that state is heavily regulated by the state. Auto insurance companies do not agree with the states policies and therefore will not operate in Massachusetts, not even Geico. It has caused a severe lack of competition and therefore very high premiums is a understatement. The two companies that seem to insure a vast number of residents is Commerce and Arbella, Also you do not need to do cost comparisons when buying insurance it pretty much will be the same from one to the other, since the state is regulating the cost. My insurance went with commerce in 2005 on a 3 year old vehicle 30 miles south of boston $1485, and the 2006 policy in Portland Oregon is $650 for the year for more insurance than I had in Mass. I had numerous insurance companies to choose from out here and I chose state farm because their rate was lowest.

[ncnewboo]

Agree with everything on Oregonian's previous post.
No need to do cost comparisons either. Most insurance companies distinguish themselves by their customer service. That being said, I would recommend Commerce and Arbella. They are the more competent and ethical in the field.

[middle-of-nowhere]

Thanks a lot OREGONRAI and Nncnewboo! I wonder how all the people in MA actually put up with state policy like this. I thought Vermont (where I'm in right now) was bad enough in taxing or controlling every part of my life. I'll take a look at those companies both of you mentioned. They do look like small ones though, nowhere near what I was used to the last time I went insurance shopping.