BOSTON -- The state is opening the door to competition in the auto insurance market, and it's a change that might save Massachusetts 4 million drivers some money.

NewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that the changes are expected to kick in April 1 is that drivers will finally be able to shop around for the best car insurance rate.

Many drivers were excited about the news, but others were skeptical at the same time. The last time auto insurance companies were able to compete for business in Massachusetts was in 1977, and rates skyrocketed.

Now, the state is making the sales pitch once again that more choices will mean lower premiums for many drivers and many drivers said they like the idea.

"You should be able to shop for your own rates, just like anything else," one woman said.

"We need it to keep the price down. Everything's going up so automobile insurance is just another thing that we could hold down, if that's possible," Jerry Galvin, of South Boston, said.

The state's new insurance commissioner, Nonnie S. Burnes, calls the coming system "managed insurance," saying that for the first time in 30 years insurance companies will set their own rates and the state Division of Insurance will act only as supervisors.

"We have concerns about whether the market in Massachusetts is prepared for rates to be set by competitive pricing at this time," Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said in a statement.

Right now, the state insurance commissioner sets rates for all auto insurers doing business in the state. Massachusetts is the only state in the nation where regulators set all the car insurance rates. Many national car insurance carriers, such as Allstate and Geico, won't do business in the Bay State as a result.

"I think as long as you're a good driver and you're safe you'll have good rates," driver Mindy Brigham said.

"Well, it makes sense to shop around, but it'll probably be the same as it is now. I'm sort of a pessimist at heart, and that's probably where it'll end up," said Gary Cruickshank, of Scituate.

Burnes said companies will be able to set premiums based on driving records, accidents and tickets, but not on whether drivers own a home, have a poor credit record or have a limited education. Higher premiums for urban and inexperienced drivers, however, will likely not go away.

"I think they're all going to have to keep in check with each other, and they'll force each other to stay down ... hopefully," Kristen Kelley, of Lowell, said.

Burns said the state will hold public hearings on the plan so that the public can weigh in on the proposal.