8 in 10 Massachusetts Residents Say Insurance Has Never Been More Complicated
Massachusetts residents remain uncertain about key aspects of their insurance coverage, with many unaware of flood risks, policy limitations, and changes in the homeowner’s insurance market, posits a new survey commissioned by the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA).
The survey of 501 Massachusetts insurance policyholders found that 81.6% believe insurance has become more complicated in recent years, while 69.3% said thinking about their insurance coverage causes anxiety.
“Massachusetts residents are dealing with a more complex insurance landscape than ever before, and too many are learning what their policy doesn’t cover only after they need it most,” said Nick Fyntrilakis, president and CEO of MAIA. “These findings are a wake-up call and a good reminder that understanding your coverage before you need it can make all the difference.”
Flood Coverage Knowledge Remains a Concern
The MAIA says that Massachusetts faces mounting flood risk from nor’easters, storm surge, and rising sea levels. Yet the survey exposes a compounding problem: most residents don’t know their flood zone status, and most don’t know their standard policy wouldn’t protect them anyway.
In fact, nearly two-thirds of respondents (65.9%) said they either do not know or are unsure whether their home is located in a FEMA-designated flood zone. At the same time, 52.5% were unaware that a standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood damage. Additionally, 45.5% said growing concerns about extreme weather have not prompted them to review their insurance coverage.
Many Unaware of Market Changes
The survey also found that 45.3% of respondents were unaware that some insurers have stopped offering or renewing homeowners policies in parts of Massachusetts. Among those who were aware of the trend, 15.6% said it had affected them or someone they know.
Coverage Misconceptions Extend Beyond Homeowners Insurance
MAIA’s survey also found knowledge gaps across several common insurance topics:
- 60.3% incorrectly believe or don’t know that a personal auto policy does not cover rideshare or delivery driving. A significant blind spot, given the concentration of gig economy workers in Greater Boston
- 58.7% incorrectly believe or don’t know that a seasonal or vacation property requires separate coverage, with direct implications for owners on the Cape, the Islands, and in the Berkshires
- 46% got the Massachusetts PIP law wrong or didn’t know about it. A notable gap for a statewide mandate that affects every driver in the Commonwealth
- Only 18.4% say they are “very confident” they understand what their policies cover; nearly a third (31.7%) say they are “not confident”
- 30% have not reviewed any of their insurance policies in the past 12 months, and another 9% aren’t even sure
Independent Agents Ranked as Most Trusted Source
When asked where they turn for insurance advice, respondents ranked independent insurance agents as the most trusted source at 38.7%, ahead of company-affiliated agents at 31.9%. Family and friends (18%), AI tools (4.6%), financial media (3.4%), and social media influencers (3.4%) trailed significantly.
Combined, independent and company-affiliated agents accounted for 70.6% of respondents’ trust. The survey also found that 92.6% of respondents consider it very or somewhat important to work with someone who can compare coverage options across multiple carriers.
“These findings underscore why having a knowledgeable, independent insurance agent in your corner has never mattered more. Independent agents work for the consumer, not the carrier — and in today’s insurance environment, that distinction is everything,” Fyntrilakis said.
The MAIA also emphasized that, for their part, independent insurance agents can support these conversations by helping consumers compare options across multiple carriers, understand trade-offs between coverage and cost, and make informed decisions without waiting for a premium increase or coverage issue to prompt action.
Survey Methodology
MAIA commissioned the survey through SurveyMonkey in May 2026. The online survey included 501 Massachusetts residents age 18 or older who hold at least one insurance policy and represented a cross-section of ages, income levels, and genders across the Commonwealth.
