When you sell, scrap, or move a car out of state, it’s tempting to call your insurance company first. In Massachusetts, that’s the wrong order.
Why the order matters
Your Massachusetts registration has to be backed by insurance. If the insurance is cancelled while the registration is still active, the RMV can revoke the registration. So the registration comes first, then the insurance.
The right order
- Keep your insurance in place until the registration is cancelled.
- Cancel your registration with the RMV, online or at an RMV service center.
- Keep the Registration Cancellation Receipt the RMV gives you.
- Send us a copy and we’ll cancel the vehicle on your policy and let you know about any refund owed.
According to the RMV, plates no longer have to be returned when you cancel a registration; once it’s cancelled, you recycle or destroy them. RMV procedures can change, so check the RMV’s current instructions on mass.gov.
Getting a new car instead?
If you’re replacing the vehicle and transferring your plates, you usually don’t need to cancel anything. Call us and we’ll update your policy.
Our plate cancellation page has the full checklist and a link to the RMV’s instructions.