Massachusettes Auto Insurance

With all the rain we’ve had recently, the auto insurance floodgates in Mass. are not only open, they are under water.

A while ago, in a Bloomberg News article regarding competition in MA,  I was quoted as saying “the floodgates are wide open in Massachusetts right now.”

With all the rain we’ve had recently, the auto insurance floodgates in Mass. are not only open, they are under water.

In order to find the best rates and best coverage, it is important to be able to shop multi-companies’ discount programs.

I recently signed up a woman who lives in Everett, MA with an April 1, 2010 effective date. She had 3 points on her license from an accident that happened in 2006.

Her policy limits were:

Part 5, Optional Bodily Injury to Others: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

Parts 3 & 12, Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident.

Part 4, Property Damage Coveage: $100,000

Collision & Comprehensive Coverage with $500 deductibles.

Her annual premium, with 3 points (licensed over 6 years) was: $2,300.

By utilizing a company named Vermont Mutual ($35 Vermont Mutual Advantage Endorsement) we were able to waive her 3 point surcharge (Accident Foregiveness credit).

We improved her Parts 3 & 12 (protects her & occupants from uninsured & underinsured drivers) to match her Part 5 limits at $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident & we increased her Collision deductible from $500 to $1,000.

Her new annual premium?

$1,299.

(vs. $2,300)

Discount Programs

Massachusetts Insurance Agent should shop your auto insurance with numerous companies …

Your Massachusetts Insurance Agent should shop your auto insurance with numerous companies to ensure you are taking advantage of different discount programs.

Some of the discounts available, include:

Good Driver

Mileage

Anti-theft

Air-bag/Passive Restraint

Mutli-vehicle

Age 65+

T-pass (Public Transportation)

Driver’s Education

Good Student

AAA (Roadside Assistance)

Alumni

Account

Years at Residence

Advanced Drivers Training

Your MA Independent Insurance Agent:

Your MA Independent Agent provides you with competitive rates through numerous carriers. Your MA Independent Agent will take advantage of different discount programs. Your MA Independent Agent will provide you advocasy support at claim time. Your MA Independent Agent will provide you Registry of Motor Vehicles service and expertise.

  • Is a licensed professional with strong customer and community ties.
  • Gives you excellent service and competitive prices because your agent can access the insurance coverage from more than one company.
  • Unlike other agents, your Independent Insurance agent is not beholden to any one company; thus, you don’t need to change agencies as your insurance and service needs change.
  • Assists you when you have a claim.
  • Is your consultant, working with you as you determine your needs.
  • Offers you a choice of Massachusetts insurance plans and programs.
  • Is a value hunter who looks after your pocketbook in finding the best combination of price, coverage and service.
  • Offers one-stop shopping for a full range of products – Massachusetts home insurance, renters, Massachusetts car insurance, business, life and health.
  • Can periodically help you review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs.
  • Treats you like a person, not just another number.
  • Customer satisfaction is the key to a Massachusetts independent agent’s livelihood. So, serving you is a very important concern.

Massachusetts Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycle Riders: Start your engines! It’s amazing what a couple Massachusetts, mid-March 60 degree days can do.

Massachusetts Motorcycle Insurance:

It’s, apparently, that time of year again. Motorcycle Riders: Start your engines! It’s amazing what a couple Massachusetts, mid-March 60 degree days  can do. Before you start your engines, have you contacted your insurance agent? Did you renew your registration? Did you take collision coverage off your bike for the winter months? Did you lower your liability limits?

Our Agency has great motorcycle markets including Progressive Insurance.

Call or request a quote from us.

Technology Today

16 years ago, when I entered the family insurance business it was a different world.

16 years ago, when I entered the family insurance business it was a different world. A wife, a home, a mortgage, and 3 kids later, I feel old saying that. It was a different world. We had a computer for word processing and we had type-writers. The internet was a silly word used by technology companies. Nothing for insurance agencies to concern ourselves with. Applications were taken by hand and computations were manipulated with the help of rate manuals. Endorsements were mailed in and suspended in our file cabinets. At considerable expense, insurance agents have had to keep up with companies’ advancing technologies. The expense has come in hardware form and in an even more challenging, learning curve form. Senior partners that had never uded a computer are now being required to enter endless amounts of ursername & passwords, uploads & downloads, input & output, real-time , e-mail and pdf.

Still, these technologies have been a good thing. Agencies are now able to handle greater volumes. Work flows continue with new & greater efficiencies.

Coming soon: Electronic, Stamped RMV Forms.

Kids & Cars

We recommend that parents, in order to best protect assets, consider registering and insuring a vehicle in their child’s name.  In Massachusetts parents are provided 100% insulation from lawsuits arising from bodily injury or property damage claims.

Mass. MGL Chapter 231, section 85A: “If a car is registered to the child and the child gets into an accident causing personal injury and/or property damage, there is no reponsibility on the parent. It does not make any difference who bought the car or who pays for the insurance, or how old the child is so long as we are talking about negligence.”

On this basis it might make sense for parents to consider insuring a vehicle in their child’s name.

Massachusetts RMV Branch News:

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Branch News:

The Quincy RMV branch closed permanently on July 11, 2008 and reopened at 10 Plain Street in Braintree on July 14, 2008 at 8:30 am. Road tests will be conducted at the new Braintree RMV location at 10 Plain Street, Braintree effective Monday, July 14, 2008. Road tests will no longer be conducted from the Quincy Armory location after close of business Friday, July 11, 2008.

Registrar Rachel Kaprielian has announced that the Milford RMV branch is being added to the list of 34 locations statewide where road tests are given by RMV examiners.

“The RMV is assigning road test examiners to the Milford RMV branch and has mapped out a new route for them to test new drivers,” said Registrar Kaprielian. “I’m adding this new service beginning August 6, after hearing legislators’ concerns about the growing population of new drivers in the Milford area.”

Permit holders will be able to book road tests at the Milford branch every Wednesday by calling the RMV automated service line at 866-MASSRMV. Road test applications can be downloaded from the RMV website at www.mass.gov/rmv.

Since the RMV took over road test examinations from the State Police last July, examiners have given over 3,000 road tests a week with an average passing rate of 80 percent.