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Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quote

In 2020 our New Year’s resolution is to work on our Google search rankings.

When you type “Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quote” Google comes up with the usual suspects, namely: Amica, Geico, Allstate, Esurance and Liberty Bibberty.

Surprisingly, you don’t find our humble web log until the bottom of page 5, underneath Stanton Insurance of Bedford.

I say surprisingly, not to diminish Stanton Insurance, but because there was a time, pre-2008 when we held the #1 position, on the first page.

In some ways: shame on Google.

MassAutoQuote.com has provided Massachusetts consumers free, information and online insurance quotes since 2001.

Of course, our independent insurance brokerage firm does not have our own big-budget, online marketing department.

We’re full-service, professional, licensed insurance agents.

We’re busy helping clients with claims, billing questions, Registry of Motor Vehicles runs, prospecting, quoting, home, life, auto and business coverage.

We’re reviewing renewals and re-quoting, shopping for our clients to find the best premium and coverage.

We have a web professional that has, over the years, helped us develop our website. We try to do things that will attract Google’s attention.

But still … we’re insurance agents.

So, again, I say surprisingly that you can’t find us on Google until page 5 (keyword search: Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quote) because MassAutoQuote is ALL ABOUT Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quotes!

We rate auto insurance with numerous companies with the objective of finding you the lowest rate.

We will explain coverage and recommend high liability limits.

No matter what page you found us on, get a free Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quote.

You’ll be glad you did.

Like Rust, MassAutoQuote Never Sleeps

MassAutoQuote has been publishing online articles about Massachusetts Auto Insurance since long before GEICO entered the Commonwealth.

More than just an online presence, we live here, we work here and our kids go to school here.

Massachusetts is our home.

We would like to take this moment, from our family to your family, to wish you the merriest of Christmas’, happiest of Holidays and hope for the best New Year.

Paying Too Much for Commercial Auto Insurance?

Paying Too Much for Commercial Insurance?

In business, as in life, you have to trust your instincts. If you’re instincts tell you that you’re paying too much for your commercial auto insurance, you’re probably paying too much for commercial auto insurance.

Insurance Companies, in general, like good clients to get comfortable. No claims. Pay premiums. Renew, Rinse, Repeat.

Then the rates go up.

Slowly at first, year after year, then you take a look at your renewal bill.

Your trucks are all older and you’re paying more than ever.

That’s where MassAutoQuote can help.

Since 1999 – way before Geico was quoting in Massachusetts – MassAutoQuote has been providing consumers free, no obligation, Massachusetts auto insurance quotes.

We have so many markets it would make your head spin.

With markets comes options and programs.

Let us shop your Commercial Auto Insurance and let us help you trust your instincts.

Stop paying too much for your Business Auto Insurance.

The Dreaded: SR-22

SR-22

The dreaded SR-22 is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility. The SR-22 is sometimes required for a driver to reinstate their driver’s license.

The SR-22 is a document from your insurance company that verifies that you have an active auto insurance policy.

The SR-22 can be required for a variety of bad reasons, such as:

A DUI or DWI or any serious moving violation
An instance of being caught driving without insurance and/or without a license
An at-fault accident while driving without insurance
Repeat traffic offenses or too many tickets in a short time period
A revoked or suspended license

Companies don’t like to issue SR-22’s, however it’s not a question of whether they like to.

If you’re having a problem getting an SR-22 issued contact the MA Division of Insurance.

1000 Washington Street
Suite 810
Boston, MA 02118

Main (617) 521-7794

Open Monday to Friday 8:45 am-5:00 pm.

Toll Free (877) 563-4467

Open Monday to Friday 8:45 am-5:00 pm.

New Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Forms

New Registration and Title Application (RTA)

Change can happen quick and change can happen extremely slow. In this case, it seems, a little of both.

The old triplicate “RMV-1” form (Application for Massachusetts Title & Registration) has been around forever. Although branches have closed and branches have opened, the Registry of Motor Vehicles “experience,” always seems to remain the same. As of December 12, 2019 the RMV will no longer accept the familiar, triplicate RMV-1 and RMV-3 forms.

Replacing them is the new, single-copy: Registration and Title Application (RTA)

The RMV currently has a Registration and Title Application (referred to as an RMV-1) and a Registration and Title Amendment Form (referred to as an RMV-3). With ATLAS Release 2, these two forms have been combined into one — the new Registration and Title Application (RTA). This new RTA form supports additional information the RMV will use in their business processes after ATLAS R2 implementation. Examples include the garage address, expanded sales and use tax information, slight changes to the vehicle description, and a general layout that follows the screen flow in the ATLAS system.

This updated form will be implemented as of November 12, 2019. However, the RMV will continue to accept the old RMV-1 form as long as it was stamped and dated by an insurance company or agent prior to November 12, 2019. Since the insurance stamp is valid for 30 calendar days, the last day for an old RMV-1 form to be accepted will be December 12, 2019.

NEW: Certificate of Registration

With ATLAS Release 2, the Certificate of Registration will be changing to include the Change of Address for Residential, Mailing, and Garaging.

View a SAMPLE of the new Certificate of Registration form

Cancel My Massachusetts Plates

cancel my Massachusetts plates

In order to cancel your Massachusetts Auto Insurance, you have to cancel your MA plates. Cancel My Massachusetts Plates is easier than it used to be. Rather than waiting in line at the Registry you can now cancel online at: Cancel My Registration.

This is the link to the official website of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Once your plates are cancelled you must remember to notify your insurance agent or your company directly.

This no fee transaction allows you to cancel your registration and print out your Registration Cancellation Receipt. Once your plates are cancelled, you must then recycle or destroy the plates.

To continue, you will need your:

MA Registration Number
Email Address

And ONE of the following:

MA License/Permit/ID Number
9 digit Social Security Number
FID Number (If vehicle is leased or registered to a company/corporation)

Keep this receipt as proof that you canceled your registration and provide a copy to your insurance company.

The receipt you print at the end of the transaction is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader that can be downloaded for free from Adobe.com.

How to get Massachusetts Handicap Plates

Sometimes, it seems, things can be more difficult than imagined. This is, and isn’t, true when it comes to “How to get Massachusetts Handicap Plates.” I guess it depends on your imagination.

First of all, Handicap Plates, in MA are Disability Plates and Placards. According to Mass. gov:

Disability plates and placards allow people with disabilities to park vehicles in designated handicap parking spaces. They also allow people with disabilities to park at meters without paying fees or penalties.
Disability license plates are issued for cars or motorcycles.
Placards are displayed on the rear-view mirror, and are issued to qualified residents on a temporary or permanent basis.
Learn how to apply for, renew, and replace your disability plate or placard.

Apply for a disability placard or license plate

Disability plates and placards are issued to qualified Massachusetts residents who meet the eligibility requirements.

Please allow at least 30 business days for processing. Processing time varies based upon application volume.

To apply for a disability plate or placard, you must:

Complete an Application for Disabled Parking
- Your healthcare provider will have to fill out a section to verify your disability status
- Retain a copy of your 2-sided placard application
If applying for a Disabled Veteran (DV) plate, you will also need a DV plate letter (RMV35A) from the veteran’s administration. You can contact the veteran’s affairs at (800) 827-1000 to request the letter.

Fees for Apply for a disability placard or license plate

A disability placard has no fee.

Name	Fee	Unit
Disability Passenger Plate Fee (2-year)	$60	each
Disability Motorcycle Plate Fee (annual)	$20	each

Disability Placards

If your temporary disability placard is nearing expiration or requires re-certification, you will need to submit a new application for your placard for to stay valid.

If you have a permanent disability placard, a new placard will automatically be mailed to you when it expires.

Disability Plates

The RMV will mail you a registration renewal reminder approximately 6 – 8 weeks before expiration.

Disability plates

Disability plates are issued to qualified Massachusetts residents who are primary owners of a registered passenger vehicle or a motorcycle. A holder of a passenger vehicle disability plate is entitled to a temporary disabled placard. A person must demonstrate “good cause” or need for the placard in writing to the medical affairs. “Good cause” means a valid reason why the plate cannot be used and duration of the need. Placards may be issued for up to 24 months.

Disability placards

Disability placards are issued to qualified applicants on a temporary or permanent basis. A person may be issued only one valid placard at a time.

Disability Veteran plates

Disability Veteran plates are issued only to qualified Massachusetts resident veterans who meet the same qualifications as those applying for a disability plate. The DV plate letter (RMV35A) details your service connected disabilities. You must have a combined rating of at least 60% service connected disabilities for qualifying conditions. These are the same disabilities that would qualify you for disabled parking. These plates are issued only to qualifying persons who are the primary owner of a registered passenger vehicle.

In summation, How to get Massachusetts Handicap plates, if you have all your materials BEFORE you go to the RMV, it will be easier than imagined. No matter how imaginative you are!

Downloads for Apply for a disability placard or license plate

Application for Disabled Parking (PDF 182.73 KB)

Disability Placard Provisions and Penalties (PDF 189.53 KB)

Commercial Plates vs Private Passenger

MassAutoQuote writes a lot more than Massachusetts Private Passenger Auto, we also write commercial auto insurance. As such, when helping clients register their vehicles, we’re constantly defining the difference between Commercial Plates vs Private Passenger plates.

Here’s, always, the answer:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation defines commercial vehicles (requiring commercial plates) as:

“ANY MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH IS NOT A PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE, ANTIQUE MOTOR CAR, MOTORCYCLE, TRAILER, SEMI-TRAILER, AUTO HOME, HOUSE TRAILER, TAXICAB, AMBULANCE, HEARSE, LIVERY VEHICLE. BUS, SCHOOL BUS OR PUPIL TRANSPORT VEHICLE.”

This includes: Any vehicle which has a vehicle weight of more than 6,000 pounds unless it is a sport utility vehicle, passenger van, pickup truck or cargo van meeting the definition of a private passenger vehicle.

Any vehicle which as five or more wheels.
Any pickup truck or cargo van, owned by a partnership, trust or corporation unless the vehicle meets the definition of a private passenger vehicle.
Any pickup truck or cargo van if on the bed , roof or sides of the vehicle tools, equipment, supplies and materials are transported to or from a job site (personal projects without compensation are not considered a job site).
A vehicle which has business lettering, markings and/or advertisements on it.
A vehicle used for hire to plow.
A vehicle used for hire to transport or store goods or merchandise (unless the vehicle is owned by an individual, the maximum carrying capacity is 1,000 pounds or less and is only used on a part-time basis).
A vehicle used to transport or store goods or merchandise intended for sale in the operator’s business (unless the vehicle is owned by an individual, the maximum carrying capacity is 1,000 pounds or less and is only used on a part-time basis).

So, Commercial Plates vs Private Passenger, according to the MA Department of Transportation, review the above and see where your vehicles fit.

Then give us a call.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Endorsement Spotlight

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Endorsement Spotlight Series. As part of our ongoing effort to educate our clients, we offer a look at Safety Insurance’s “Shield Plus” endorsement.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Companies offer lots of different endorsements which can greatly enhance your coverage.

The most valuable, perhaps, being “Accident Forgiveness” & “Disappearing Deductible” endorsements.

At an annual cost of $60.00 per vehicle, Safety Insurance offers the “Shield Plus” endorsement.

This endorsement is offered to clients that have state-best driving records of “99” or “98.”

Enhancements include the following benefits:

Disappearing Collision Deductible (-$500 credit toward your Collision deductible).
Accident Forgiveness. If in an at-fault accident during the policy term, Safety Insurance will not surcharge your policy upon renewal.
As well as some additional highlights such as: rental vehicle loss of income, lock in value (guaranteed replacement cost), personal effects coverage up $1,250, extended substitute transportation, emergency road travel expenses, enhanced towing & labor, & air bag coverage.

Other companies offer similar type endorsements.

Call, click or visit to find out more about companies’ discount programs.

You’ll be glad you did.

Simple Massachusetts Auto Insurance

Simple, Massachusetts Auto Insurance.

We’ve been writing auto insurance in Massachusetts, and only Massachusetts, for over 25 years.

We’ve seen companies come and go and prices go up and down and, typically, up again.

For 25 years we’ve grown our independent insurance agency, client by client.

Saving them money and improving their coverage.

It hasn’t always been easy.

State set auto rates made differentiating ourselves difficult. Besides shiny teeth we had to offer extraordinary service including claims, billing and Registry of Motor Vehicles running service.

When competitive rating opened up in 2008, with more companies than ever, our Agency was ready.

We packaged, shopped for discounts, rated with 7 auto carriers and found clients the best available rates.

We also never compromised our service.

Call, click or stop by.

You’ll be glad you did.