MA Auto Insurance Coverage Review: Part 4 Damage to Someone Else’s Property

MA Auto Insurance Coverage Review. Part 4. Damage to Someone Else’s Property …

As a Massachusetts auto insurance shopper, it is important to compare “apples to apples” coverage between insurance companies.

In our continued effort to help educate the MA Auto Insurance consumer, let’s take a quick look at the Massachusetts Private Passenger Auto Insurance Policy:

Part 4. Damage to Someone Else’s Property-

Under this Part, we will pay damges to someone else whose auto or other property is damaged in an accident. The damages we will pay are the amounts that person is legally entitled to collect for property damage through a court judgement or settlement. We will pay only if you or a household member is legally responsible for the accident. We will also pay is someone else using your auto with your consent is legally responsible for the accident. Damages include any applicable sales tax and the costs resulting from the loss of use of the damaged property.

MA auto insurance compulsary limits are $5,000 per accident.

http://www.Massautoquote.com recommends you carry, at least, limits of $100,000 per accident.

You may want to consider limits of $250,000 per accident.

Let’s go to our MA auto insurance comparative rating software:

In our previous blog article we quoted a client, living in Charlestown, MA with an annual premium of $1,656.

This coverage includes $100,000 per accident, Part 4. Damage to Someone Else’s Property.

If our client chose $50,000 per accident of coverage (which her previous carrier sold her), the annual savings would be: – $3.00. (minus three dollars annually). Absurd.

For a valuable coverage which will pay for damage if you hit someone’s Ferrari, or house, or telephone pole, or automobile carrier filled with BMWs, or oil truck, it seems to make all the sense in the world to carry $100,000 (vs $50,000).

If our client decided to carry $250,000 per accident of coverage, the annual premium would be: + $4.00.

Do yourself a favor, take a look at your Part 4. Damage to Someone Else’s Property coverage. If you don’t carry, at least, limits of $100,000 per person call your independent, MA auto insurance agent and ask them how much it would cost to improve your coverage.

Until our next MA Auto Insurance blog entry: # Drive Safe Massachusetts!

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rate Comparison

Geico spent $921 million on advertising in 2012.

“15 minutes could save you 15%.” Then again … they may not.

Recently our Massachusetts Insurance Agency has written clients away from Geico and saved them more than 15%.

As a case study, let’s take a look at one of them:

A 27 year old woman living in Charlestown, MA (perfect driving/ step 99) owns a 2011 Mazda 3 sedan and, with Geico, carried liability limits of: $100,000 per person/ $300,000 per accident (parts 3, 5 & 12); $50,000 Property Damage coverage (part 4); Collision and Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductibles and no waiver of deductible.

Her 6 month Geico premium:  $1,611.80

Our annual premium, with $100,000 Property Damage coverage (part 4) including waiver of collision: $1,656.

Calculator aside, our 12 month policy, with better coverage, is about 50% less than Geico.

Maybe that’s why they spent $921 million dollars on advertising last year.

MA Auto Insurance Company Spotlight: Vermont Mutual

MA Auto Insurance Company Spotlight: Vermont Mutual established in 1828, Vermont Mutual’s presence in Massachusetts is no longer one of a sleepy, New England habitational company.

In Massachusetts, Vermont Mutual was the sleepy New England, mutual company strong on habitational risks.

They did not write auto insurance in Massachusetts (although in other states, they did).

In 2008 Massachusetts introduced “managed competition” auto insurance which opened the way for companies to enter the MA Auto Insurance market.

Vermont Mutual entered with large account discounts and industry leading insurance programs, such as: accident forgiveness and disappearing deductible.

Vermont Mutual has been named to the Ward’s Top 50 Property and Casualty Insurance Companies five consecutive years.

The Vermont Mutual Auto Advantage endorsment includes:

  • Disappearing Collision Deductible
  • Accident Forgiveness
  • New Car Replacment
  • Auto Loan/Lease Gap Coverage
  • OEM Parts Guarantee
  • Emergency Travel Expense
  • Enhanced Substitute Transportation

Some of Vermont Mutual’s auto insurance discounts include:

  • Multi-Car
  • Supporting Policy
  • Renewal Discount
  • Good Student
  • Student Away At School
  • Hybrid Auto Discount
  • Class 15 Discount (Age 65+)
  • Annual Mileage
  • Passive Restraint
  • Public Transit Discount
  • Merit Rating Credits
  • Years Licensed
  • Anti-theft Discounts 

Call or click us at http://www.Massautoquote.com and we will quote you with Vermont Mutual, as well as a number of other companies.

 

MA Auto Insurance

No talking lizard … just a space monkey.

“MA Auto Insurance” is the hot key word phrase when it come to Googling information about Massachusetts auto insurance and there’s a reason why our humble, #1 destination for auto insurance in Massachusetts: http://www.Massautoquote.com continues to rank on page 1.

The reason?  We are Massachusetts consumers’ independent insurance agent voice: we will save you money and improve your coverage.

Recently we saved someone 15% by switching them from Geico.

Call or click us today for your free, no obligation MA Auto Insurance quote.

You’ll be glad you did.

Note: we still don’t have a talking lizard … (just a space monkey).

Massachusetts Crash Operator Report

When should I submit a MA Crash Operator Report?

When Must a Massachusetts Crash Report be filed?

MGL Chapter 90, Section 26 requires a person who was operating a motor vehicle involved in a crash in which (i) any person was killed or (ii) injured or (iii) in which there was damage in excess of $1,000 to any one vehicle or other property, to complete and file a Crash Operator Report with the Registrar within five (5) days after such crash (unless the person is physically incapable of doing so due to incapacity). The person completing the report must also send a copy of the report to the police department having jurisdiction on the way where the crash occurred. If the operator is incapacitated but is not the vehicles’s owner, the owner is required to file the crash report within the five (5) days based on his/her knowledge and information obtained about the crash. The Registrar may require the owner or operator to supplement the report and he/she can revoke or suspend the license of any person violationg any provision of this legal requirement. A police department is required to accept a report filed by an owner or operator whose vehicle has been damaged in a acrash in which another person unlawfully left the scene even if damage to the vehicle does not exceed $1,000.

You can print a copy here: http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/forms/21278.pdf

Once you have completed report send copies to:

  1. local or state police department in the city or town where crash occurred
  2. your independent, MA insurance agent or insurance company
  3. a copy to the RMV, Crash Record, PO Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205-5889

Crash Records

MA Auto Accident Surcharge Appeal

If you have been found more than 50% at-fault in a Massachusetts auto accident and over $500 was paid out then you have probably received a MA Auto Accident Surcharge Notice.

If you feel you were less than 50% at-fault in the accident, www.Massautoquote.com recommends you immediately write down all the reasons you feel you were less than 50% at-fault. Write down all factors that contributed to the accident including, perhaps, road conditions, visibility, other party’s driving etc.

If you have not received a Surcharge Notice you can contact your independent, MA insurance agent or contact the Merit Rating Board.

– File your appeal within 30 days of the surcharge date. If not, you must obtain a late appeal from the Merit Rating Board.

– Submit $50 (non-refundable) payable to the Commonwealth of MA/ Board of Appeal.

The Board of Appeal tells us it is presently taking about eight months to schedule hearings.

 

 

 

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Policy: Uninsured & Underinsured Coverage

Often overlooked on the MA auto policy are Parts 3 & 12, Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage.

These limits are important. So important, we recommend coverage be equal to your Part 5 coverage which, hopefully, is at least $100,000 per person/ $300,000 per accident.

Uninsured & Underinsured coverage protects you and occupants from other drivers.

Coverage also extends to you and household members involved in an accident as a pedestrian. 

Increasing Parts 3 & 12 to match your Part 5 limits is relatively inexpensive. Coverage can be very valuable, helping to pay for such things as: pain and suffering, lost wages, gaps and deductibles in health insurance, and physical therapy.

Please click or call us to discuss your Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist coverage limits.

Massautoquote is your independent, Massachusetts insurance resource!

Massachusetts is a Title state

MA is a Title state. When registering a motor vehicle in Massachusetts you must turn in the previous out of state title, or previous owner’s title.

Massachusetts is a Title state.

This means: when you register a vehicle in Massachusetts for the first time, you also have to get a new title.

If you move from out of state you will have to turn in your out of state title.

If you purchase the vehicle, you will have to turn over the signed-over previous title.

If you purchase a new vehicle, the vehicle will come with a Certificate of Origin in lieu of a title.

The cost for a Massachusetts title is $75.

The cost for MA registration (normal, passenger plates) is $50 (two year registration).

Massachusetts Title Law:

Massachusetts Title Law went into effect on September 1, 1972. This law requires that all motor vehicles and trailers be titled within ten (10) days of purchase. Passenger vehicles with a model year of 1980 and older, purchased before November 26, 1990 are exempt from titling. Any vehicle purchased after November 26, 1990 must be titled, excluding the following:

  • A vehicle owned by the United States, unless registered in accordance with the provisions of chapter ninety (90).
  • A vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale even though incidentally moved on a highway or used for purposes of testing or demonstration, or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for testing.
  • A vehicle owned by a nonresident of the Commonwealth for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued in the state of residence.
  • A vehicle on loan from the United States Government or from a vehicle manufacturer or distributor to the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof.
  • A vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued in another state or country.
  • A vehicle moved solely by animal power.
  • An implement of husbandry.
  • Special mobile equipment.
  • A self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tricycle.
  • A trailer with a gross weight of three thousand (3000) pounds or less.
  • A manufactured (mobile) home, as defined in Massachusetts General Law (MGL) c.140, § 32Q.

Massachusetts New Drivers: Scary Statistics

Scary Statistics:

  • 43% of first year drivers and 37% of second year drivers get into accidents.
  • The average driver’s education student in MA only gets 6 hours of professional training. Plumbers and electricians often apprentice for 8,000 hours to get a license to practice their job!
  • Driving accidents are the #1 killer of teens. The rest of the top ten killers (#2 -#10) combined don’t kill as many teens.
  • 93% of all teen accidents are caused by “driver error.” The majority of fatal teen accidents do not involve speeding or alcohol.

Where can you get a MA Auto Insurance Quote?

Where can you get a Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quote?

We recommend getting a free MA auto insurance quote from us, either online or call us at: 781-246-8699. Massautoquote.com will provide you MA auto insurance quotes from the best companies with the best rates, coverage and services.

Partial list of MA auto insurance companies:

Amica
1-800-24-AMICA
P.O. Box 9128
Providence, RI 02940-9128

Arbella
1-800-972-5348
1100 Crown Colony Drive
P.O. Box 699103
Quincy, MA 02269-9103

Commerce
1-800-922-8276
211 Main Street
Webster, Massachusetts 01570

Electric
1-800-227-2757
75 Sam Fonzo Drive
Beverly, MA 01915

Encompass
1-866-760-6050
51 West Higgins Road
South Barrington, IL 60010

Hanover
1-800-922-8246
(Allmerica Financial)
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01653-0002

Liberty Mutual
617-357-9500
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Metropolitan
1-800-422-4272
PO Box 350
Warwick, RI 02887

National Grange Mutual
1-800-258-5310
55 West Street
Keene, NH 03431

Norfolk & Dedham
1-800-688-1825
222 Ames Street
Dedham, MA 02026

One Beacon
781-332-7000
One Beacon Lane
Canton, MA 02021

Plymouth Rock
617-951-1620
695 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02111

Premier
1-800-222-4184
One Chestnut Place
10 Chestnut Street, Ste 300
Worcester, MA 01608

Quincy Mutual
617-472-8770
57 Washington Street
Quincy, MA 02169

Safety
1-800-951-2100
20 Custom House Street
Boston, MA 02110

State Farm
1-800-526-8210
1 State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710

USAA
1-800-531-8080
PO Box 659464
San Antonio, TX 78265