Your South Coast Insurance Partner
Insurance Agency Serving Swansea, MA
Swansea has the single most dangerous intersection in all of Southeastern Massachusetts, and three more in the Top 100. Tetrault Insurance compares rates across multiple carriers to find car insurance that reflects your record and your driving, not a regional average.
Car Insurance in Swansea, MA
Being independent means we are not locked into selling one carrier’s products. We work with multiple insurance companies to compare rates and coverage options, then recommend what fits your situation.
Driving in Swansea
Route 6 runs through Swansea as GAR Highway, the town’s main commercial artery, carrying traffic between Providence, Fall River, and the South Coast. Route 136 comes north from Warren, Rhode Island, and meets Route 6 before connecting to I-195. Route 118, Swansea Mall Drive, runs north toward Rehoboth and Attleboro. Route 103 runs east to Somerset along the southern shore. I-195 clips the northeast corner of town with two exits.
Four Swansea intersections appear on the current Southeastern Massachusetts list of the 100 most dangerous intersections. GAR Highway at J. Reynolds Road and Market Street (Route 136) ranks first in the entire region, with 244 crashes between 2018 and 2022, 43 more than the second-ranked intersection in Fall River. GAR Highway at Swansea Mall Drive (Route 118) ranks 21st with 103 crashes. GAR Highway at Maple Avenue ranks 50th with 67, and GAR Highway at Gardners Neck Road ranks 81st with 44. All four are on the same road, all within a few miles of each other.
Photo: Marcbela · CC0
What Massachusetts Requires
Massachusetts mandates four coverages before you can register a vehicle: bodily injury liability (25/50), property damage liability ($30,000), personal injury protection ($8,000), and uninsured motorist coverage (25/50). Those limits rose on July 1, 2025, the first increase since 1988, and they still represent the legal minimum rather than adequate protection. The property damage minimum is $30,000, but the average new car sells for nearly $50,000, and a serious accident can cost far more. Read our guide to Massachusetts car insurance coverage for the full breakdown.
Why Swansea Drivers Need More
The region’s most dangerous intersection, four of the Top 100 on the same road, and a daily commute that feeds into either Fall River or Providence produce a crash density that does not match the town’s suburban character. Most insurance professionals recommend at least 100/300/100 coverage. The step up from state minimums usually costs far less than the protection it buys, and we can quote both levels side by side so you see your actual numbers rather than an average. If you own a home or have savings, an umbrella policy adds another layer above your auto and homeowners limits.
More Than Car Insurance
Car insurance is where most people start, but it’s not the only coverage Swansea residents need.
Homeowners and Flood Insurance
Swansea sits at the mouth of the Taunton River where it meets Mount Hope Bay. Properties along the Cole River, the Lees River, and the Ocean Grove shoreline may sit in FEMA-designated flood zones, and standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. That is always a separate policy. Away from the water, the housing stock is mostly single-family residential along and off Route 6, with some older homes near the village centers. A homeowners policy protects against fire, theft, wind damage, and liability.
Renters Insurance
Your landlord’s insurance covers the building, not your belongings. A renters policy covers your personal property, provides liability protection, and is one of the least expensive policies we write.
Business Insurance
Swansea’s business base is concentrated along Route 6, from the shopping centers near the former Swansea Mall to smaller retail and service operations running toward Somerset. A retailer needs a business owners policy and general liability. A contractor needs commercial auto on every vehicle and workers’ compensation. We write business insurance for small and mid-sized companies across the South Coast.
Why Tetrault Insurance
Tetrault Insurance is a family-owned agency, not a branch office of a national chain. We have one location, one team, and one phone number. When you call, you talk to someone who knows your name and your policy.
As an independent agency, we work with multiple insurance companies and compare rates across them. If one carrier raises your rate at renewal, we shop the market for you without starting from scratch. We are based on Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, and we are involved in the South Coast community.
“I’ve been with Tetrault since I got my license 20 years ago. I remember going there with my parents as a kid and eating M&M’s from the counter. When I hit a deer a year and a half ago, they walked me through it and helped me every way they could. Last Friday someone rear-ended me, and by 11:30 that morning I was in a rental with everything settled. Wonderful business with wonderful people.”
“Everyone here is knowledgeable and friendly. I have all my business and personal insurance with Tetrault. My workers’ comp and liability insurance are excellent. I just bought a new car and all it took was one phone call and everything was taken care of.”
“I originally called about a form after my mom passed away. The person I spoke to was very kind about the situation. When she asked if there was anything else she could help with, I jokingly said my premium had gone up. She could have just apologized and said that’s the rate. Instead she looked around and found me a policy that saved me a lot of money. That phone call ended up making my day.”
“Everyone who works here is great. They found me a new auto insurance that cut my yearly bill in half. I’m grateful to work with Tetrault Insurance.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car insurance cost in Swansea?
Rates depend on your driving record, vehicle, coverage levels, and carrier. Massachusetts is a managed-competition state, so carriers set their own rates subject to Division of Insurance approval. Swansea sits between Providence and Fall River, and the high crash volume on Route 6 means carriers pay close attention to garaging addresses here. Comparing quotes through an independent agent is the most efficient way to find competitive pricing. Call us at (508) 995-8365 for a comparison.
Do I need flood insurance in Swansea?
It depends on where your property sits. Areas along the Cole River, the Lees River, and the Ocean Grove shoreline may fall in FEMA-designated flood zones. If your property is in a mapped zone, your mortgage lender likely requires it. Standard homeowners policies never cover flood. We can look up your zone and tell you what a policy would involve.
What is the difference between an independent agency and a captive agent?
A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only sell that company’s products. An independent agency like Tetrault works with multiple carriers and can compare rates and coverage across them. We shop the market on your behalf rather than being limited to one company’s offerings.
Get a Free Quote
We compare rates across multiple carriers to find the right fit.
Request a Quote Call (508) 995-8365Serving the South Coast
Stop By Our New Bedford Office
Our office is at 4317 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford, off Route 140 at the Acushnet Avenue exit. From Swansea, take I-195 east through Fall River and follow Route 140 north.
Stop by our office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for lunch). On-site parking is available. Hit “Request Directions” below to pull up the route from wherever you are, or call ahead at (508) 995-8365 if you have questions before your visit.
Request DirectionsWe Protect You Like Family
Finding the right insurance should not mean settling for whatever one company offers or spending hours calling around for quotes. As an independent agency on the South Coast, we do the comparison work for you, matching your coverage needs to the best rates across multiple carriers. Whether you need car insurance, homeowners or flood coverage, or a business policy, our team at 4317 Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford is here to help. We have been protecting South Coast families and businesses since 1980, and we would like to do the same for you. Call now to get started.
Call (508) 995-8365