Core Massachusetts Statutes

• G.L. c. 90, §34A — motor-vehicle liability policy definitions, compulsory limits and PIP.
• G.L. c. 90, §34M — PIP claims, payment duties and tort interaction.
• G.L. c. 231, §6D — motor-vehicle tort threshold for pain-and-suffering damages.
• G.L. c. 231, §85 — modified comparative negligence.
• G.L. c. 176D, §3(9) and G.L. c. 93A — unfair claim-settlement practices and consumer remedies.

Leading Massachusetts Decisions

• Hopkins v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 434 Mass. 556 (2001) — unfair claim settlement practices under Chapters 176D and 93A.
• Bobick v. United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 439 Mass. 652 (2003) — when liability is sufficiently clear to trigger settlement obligations under Chapter 176D.
• Rhodes v. AIG Domestic Claims, Inc., 461 Mass. 486 (2012) — damages arising from unfair settlement practices.

Massachusetts motor-vehicle coverage changed materially for policies issued or renewed beginning July 1, 2025, and PIP statutes were amended effective February 24, 2026. Confirm policy dates and current statutory text in every analysis.

Publication review note — September 17, 2026. Confirm subsequent history, statutory amendments, effective dates and current policy language before reliance.