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Massachusetts regulates the vehicle harder than the building. The EEC licensing standards (606 CMR 7.00) contain no numbered general-liability mandate for the program itself — but any vehicle used to transport children must carry liability insurance under 606 CMR 7.13(5), and EEC checks it. General liability is left to your lease, your lender and your judgment.
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What Massachusetts Actually Requires
| Coverage | Massachusetts requirement |
|---|---|
| Transport vehicle liability | Required on any vehicle transporting children — 606 CMR 7.13(5) |
| General liability | No explicit numbered mandate in 606 CMR 7.00 — contractually required in practice |
| Licensing agency | Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) |
Where the Real Exposure Sits
Massachusetts juries are not known for small awards, and a licensed program caring for other people’s children carries premises, supervision and abuse-allegation exposure whether or not a regulation names it. The practical Massachusetts stack is general liability with abuse & molestation cover, the mandated vehicle policy if you drive, and workers’ comp from the first employee — that last one is a statutory requirement for employers statewide, separate from EEC licensing.
The Coverages Every Daycare Carries Regardless
- General liability with abuse & molestation coverage. The playground injury and the allegation are different claims; a daycare policy without A&M cover is missing the exposure the business is actually judged on.
- Commercial auto if you transport children — a personal policy excludes business use.
- Workers’ compensation once you employ staff (required from the first employee in Massachusetts).
- Property and contents for the build-out, equipment and food stock.
Parents ask if you’re insured. So do licensors.
A certificate of insurance answers both in one page. Quotes are free and don’t require a phone call.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Massachusetts require liability insurance for a daycare licence?
The EEC standards in 606 CMR 7.00 do not contain a numbered general-liability requirement for the program. What they do mandate is liability insurance on any vehicle used to transport children (606 CMR 7.13(5)). General liability remains a practical requirement via leases and contracts.
Is workers’ comp required for Massachusetts daycare staff?
Yes — Massachusetts employers must carry workers’ compensation from the first employee. That duty comes from state employment law, not from EEC’s licensing standards.
Comparing states? See daycare insurance requirements in every state, or the full guide to starting a daycare in Massachusetts.
Sources
| Source | What it confirms |
|---|---|
| 606 CMR 7.13 — Transportation | Vehicle liability insurance mandate |
| Mass. EEC laws and regulations | Licensing agency and standards |
