Over Twenty Five years of insurance, in Massachusetts no less, has taught me something.
I’m sure of it.
I’ll just have to let you know when I figure it out.
For over Twenty Five years we’ve built our independent insurance Agency. At the time, yes in my lifetime, we figured out rates by looking at the rating manual.
It sometimes took hours to figure out an auto or home insurance rate.
Then, of course, the fancy computers and multi-monitors took over.
Usernames and passwords.
Click this, click that, go to this site, go to that site, cut & paste, hit enter then: Presto!
Rates.
For a while, believe it or not, our humble site, was the number one site on the internet for: “MA Auto Insurance” and “Massachusetts Auto Insurance.”
We got so many quote requests, frankly, we couldn’t keep up.
We had 3 full-time Agents raking through prospects, quoting and writing auto insurance like never before.
Then, in 2008, Massachusetts insurance deregulation happened, the National insurers moved into the state, as did millions and millions of dollars in page 1, guaranteeing web experts and web site departments.
MassAutoQuote saw our Page 1 listings diminish and our quote requests thin. Still, our independent insurance agency has thrived.
We’ve expanded our markets and have grown our Agency into a well-rounded, customer-service driven, quoting and rating insurance machine.
Our companies love us because of our low loss ratios and our clients love of us because of our rates and service.
So, after 25 years of insurance, I guess I’ve learned: you should get a quote from us.
Gap Insurance sounds like insurance for a popular mall store in the 80’s & 90’s.
But that’s not it.
When talking about insurance, anyone that has a loan on a vehicle might need gap insurance.
So, what is it?
If your vehicle is stolen or declared a “total-loss,” your auto insurance carrier will only pay what they determine is the actual cash value.
Actual cash value can be very different than what is owed.
The difference is known as: the gap. Gap coverage covers this amount.
Without gap insurance the lender will hold you responsible therefore look to you have pay the difference between the actual cash value and the amount left on the loan.
Many insurance companies allow Gap insurance to be added to the Massachusetts auto policy.
What’s the cost?
The cost can range from between +$25 annually to +$120.
Sometimes Gap coverage is included in lease agreements.
If leasing, make certain you know whether Gap coverage is included or not because it might be quite a shock to learn you don’t.
Is Gap coverage a good idea?
In conclusion, depending on the gap, it might be a great idea!
So, you’ve typed the 3 dreaded words into your Google search bar: Massachusetts Auto Insurance.
“Massachusetts Auto Insurance” are sought after key words. Page 1 is filled with big budget, insurance industry heavy hitters such as: Progressive, GEICO, Allstate, and Liberty Mutual.
From there you get an anarchy of strange, information gathering quote websites. Further still, you get a garbled, hot mess of website articles and information overload.
MA Auto Insurance
It’s a new day & age in Massachusetts. After 30 years of state set insurance rates we finally have … competition!
More than ever, it’s important to take advantage of MassAutoQuote’s service. We shop coverage and discount programs with numerous companies to find you the best rates.
By design, insurance companies have complicated, multi-tiered rating systems. In order to get the best rates, you have to know which buttons to press!
The Dreaded: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Auto insurance and Registration (& Title) go “hand in hand” in Massachusetts. You cannot have one without the other. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not have insurance cards as proof of insurance. Instead you have your vehicle’s Registration. Your Registration is your proof of insurance.
MA is a “Title state”, meaning that, in order to get your vehicle registered you must also get the vehicle titled in Massachusetts.
In order to get your new, Massachusetts Plates you will need to get paperwork from your insurance agent.
We make buying Massachusetts Auto Insurance Simple
MassAutoQuote will have you sign an auto insurance application, and provide you with an insurance stamped, RMV-1 Form.
If you are new to the state with out of state registration, the Registry will look for your original title and a total of $135.00 ($75.00 for your new MA title & $60.00 for your new, MA plates/registration).
If a bank/lienholder has the title to your vehicle then, perhaps, a memorandum title can be issued. If so, the Registry will require a copy of your existing Registration and, if owned less than 6 months, proof of sales tax paid.
There are many ways to Compare Auto Insurance Rates in Massachusetts.
The first way is to sit down at the computer and type: Compare Auto Insurance Rates in Massachusetts into your browser.
Good luck with that.
You’ll either wind up with a behemoth, big-budget direct writer like: Geico, Progressive, Liberty Mutual or Allstate
OR
You’ll end up on an information gathering website which uses your information for more than the promise of insurance rates.
The best way to Compare Auto Insurance Rates in Massachusetts is to use an independent agent.
There are a host of reasons to use an independent insurance agent. One of the reasons is because of insurance markets. The average independent insurance Agency uses a minimum of five insurance companies to quote your auto insurance.
This gives the independent insurance agent a market advantage.
MassAutoQuote uses the power of the Independent Insurance Agency
By calling, stopping by, or submitting one of our quote request forms, you are utilizing the independent shopping power of the independent agent.
We will find the most competitive coverage and discount programs to offer you the best rates.
Understand all your options before purchasing auto insurance. According to Mass.gov you should follow these basic guidelines as you begin shopping for Massachusetts auto insurance.
Do some research
Talk to friends, neighbors, and co-workers about their experiences with various insurance companies. In addition, you can find out how many complaints organizations such as the Better Business Bureau and National Association of Insurance Commissioners have received about each insurer.
Obtain a number of quotes
Find out what prices and discounts your current insurance company is offering, but get actual quotes from as many other insurance companies as you can. While this may be time-consuming, it is often the only way to find out what prices, coverages, and benefits are actually available to you. You can obtain quotes directly from insurance companies that do not use agents by calling or visiting their websites. Other insurance companies only provide quotes through their agents.
In order to find an agent that represents the insurance company that you want a quote from, call the insurance company or visit its website. You can also search for agents by insurance company using the “Detailed Agent Search” feature of the Division of Insurance’s Agent Finder website.
You should be aware that although some agents can get quotes from many insurance companies, others can only get quotes from one or two insurance companies. For this reason, it is often a good idea to shop with more than one insurance agent.
Get quotes in writing
Make sure that any quote you receive includes a “coverage selections page” that shows the coverages, limits, and deductibles that you want. Read the coverage selections page carefully to ensure that everything is as you requested and that all information is correct. Immediately point out any mistakes to the insurance agent and/or insurance company and ask for written confirmation of any changes.
Compare quotes
When comparing quotes, keep in mind that coverages, limits, deductibles, and discounts can have big effects on prices. A small difference in even one of these areas can make a bad quote look like a good one. Be aware that different insurers may not offer exactly the same overall benefits. This can make it somewhat difficult to compare quotes.
Ask about discounts and benefits
If you do not ask about discounts and benefits, you might not get them. Make sure that you understand how the discounts you are eligible to receive from each insurer will affect your premium, and whether those discounts are reflected in your quote.
Massachusetts Auto Insurance Plan (MAIP)
As of April 1, 2009, insurance companies are no longer required to voluntarily offer insurance to Massachusetts drivers. Keep in mind, however, that even if one insurance company does not want to insure you, another company still might offer you coverage, so make sure to explore your options.
After one insurance company has refused to insure you, you become eligible to apply for coverage through the Massachusetts Auto Insurance Plan, also known as the MAIP. In order to get coverage from the MAIP, you will have to go through an insurance agent. That insurance agent will have you fill out an application for the MAIP. The MAIP then will randomly assign you to an insurance company. The price you receive from the MAIP may or may not be higher than a price you could have received if you had continued to shop around.
As an auto insurance agent, I’m often asked: “How do I bundle my insurance?”
Well, Frances, it’s easier than you imagined.
Before you ask who Frances is, let me explain:
A bundle is simply putting your auto and home insurance with the same company. You might also want to add an umbrella policy to your bundle.
With bundling comes discounts. Some companies offer as high as 25% discount per policy if you have a home, apartment or condominium policy bundled with an auto insurance policy.
The trick is, different companies offer different discounts for bundling your account.
That’s one of the reasons it’s important to shop your auto insurance through MassAutoQuote.com.
We shop your insurance with numerous companies to find the best discounts for your personal insurance needs.
We’ll find you the best rates, the best discounts, and offer you coverage choices.
We believe in the power of the independent insurance agent. Why? Because we’ve seen it. In fact, we’ve lived it. For 25 years we’ve been opening the door, selling insurance and servicing clients. For these reasons, believe us when we tell you: Take Advantage of our Auto Insurance Renewal Review.
If nothing else, after we’ve sunk our proverbial teeth into your auto insurance, we’ll make coverage suggestions and, most likely, save you a ton of money.
How do we do it? Is it magic? No, it’s better than magic. It’s called: Markets.
With markets comes choices. With choices comes pricing.
These days, in Massachusetts, auto insurance companies’ rates are all over the place. Gone are the days of the “State-set” rates.
It’s the new Wild West and it’s why it’s so important to get your auto insurance renewal review.
Just send us over a copy of your auto insurance coverage pages and let us get to work.
Who has the lowest price Massachusetts Auto insurance?
As a Massachusetts auto insurance broker I often get asked the question: Who has the lowest price for auto insurance?
I start to answer, stutter and start to answer again.
“It depends …” and I begin the long, exotic tale about Massachusetts auto insurance.
There once was a time, eons ago, when all companies had the same price for auto insurance as dictated by The Mighty: MA Auto Insurance Commissioner.
Wide-eyed, my listeners’ attention captivated, I continue:
There was one company, however, that offered the Holy Grail of auto discounts: The 5% AAA – auto club discount. That company was: Commerce. Commerce was The King.
Then, in 2008 “managed competition,” competitive rating, auto insurance rode into Massachusetts on a white horse followed, in 2012, by a scurrying green lizard.
Commerce Insurance morphed into MAPFRE and waved their 33% Massachusetts auto market share adios.
MA auto insurance market shares as of 3rd quarter 2018:
COMPANY NAME
EXPOSURES
MARKET SHARE
1. COMMERCE/MAPFRE
820,108
24.93%
2. GEICO
379,599
11.54%
3. SAFETY
305,338
9.28%
4. LIBERTY MUTUAL
301,843
9.18%
5. ARBELLA
266,642
8.11%
6. PLYMOUTH ROCK
196,877
5.99%
7. PROGRESSIVE
139,309
4.24%
8. METROPOLITAN
116,980
3.56%
9. TRAVELERS OF MA
112,878
3.43%
10. AMICA MUTUAL
110,692
3.37%
11. HANOVER
104,353
3.17%
12. USAA
100,431
3.05%
13. QUINCY MUTUAL
57,196
1.74%
14. ALLSTATE
46,581
1.42%
15. NORFOLK AND DEDHAM MUTUAL
38,788
1.18%
16. VERMONT MUTUAL
38,033
1.16%
17. NATIONAL GRANGE
36,592
1.11%
18. PREFERRED MUTUAL
19,668
0.60%
19. OCCIDENTAL INS
16,387
0.50%
20. STATE FARM
14,583
0.44%
22. INTEGON
11,335
0.34%
23. GREEN MOUNTAIN
9,096
0.28%
24. IDS
8,240
0.25%
25. ELECTRIC
7,999
0.24%
26. BANKERS STANDARD
7,980
0.24%
27. ESURANCE
6,580
0.20%
29. PURE
5,205
0.16%
30. AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
2,467
0.08%
31. HARLEYSVILLE WORCESTER
1,754
0.05%
31. ENCOMPASS
4
0.00%
Basically, the 11 point something Commerce/MAPFRE has lost has gone to Geico. (This, of course, is an over-simplification. They, and others, have taken business from others.)
But this, of course, as is everything, is just the beginning of our story.
Who has the lowest price for Massachusetts auto insurance?
In 2008 our growing independent agency took on new company appointments (including Progressive).
America changed the way we shop for everything, including auto insurance. We flocked to the internet. We compared prices, we compared coverage, we compared companies.
Companies changed the way they price their products.
One company marketing representative expressed delight when he declared their auto rates had an infinite amount of price points. Their price went infinitely out of site as their MA market share dwindled.
Insurance Companies each charted out their course and defined who and what their target market would be.
Often companies targeted the same market and a premium, blood-bath of consumer savings ensued. In fact, it could be argued, continues today.
Which leads me to, and in conclusion, who has the lowest price for auto insurance in Massachusetts?
