Massachusetts Junior Operator Law

Getting a Massachusetts driver’s license is an exciting, and sometimes scary, event for the new driver and the new driver’s family.

Operating a motor vehicle is serious business and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a strict Junior Operator Law for new drivers. As a refresher course …

MA Junior Operator Law

Getting a Massachusetts driver’s license is an exciting, and sometimes scary, event for the new driver and the new driver’s family.

Operating a motor vehicle is serious business and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a strict Junior Operator Law for new drivers.

As a refresher course:

Any motor vehicle operator or motorcyclist between the ages of 16 1/2 and 18 is considered a Junior Operator. The Junior Operator Law has several requirements and restrictions that significantly affect the operation of a motor vehicle by a person who has a Junior Operator’s License (JOL). The basic purpose of the law is to provide new drivers supervised opportunities in which to develop good driving skills, while keeping those drivers free of the possible distractions caused by friends under age 18 who are present while the drivers are behind the wheel.

Following, from the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles Driver’s Manual, we offer Massachusetts Junior Operator License Restrictions:

  • You may not operate a motor vehicle within the first six months after receiving your JOL while any person under age 18 is in the vehicle (other than you or an immediate family member), unless you are accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, holds a valid driver’s license form Massachusetts or another state and is occupying a seat beside you.

General Rule: The passenger restriction that applies to the Junior Operator (Under age 18) is lifted once the Junior Operator completes the six-month period or you reach age 18, whichever occurs first.

The six-month passenger restriction period will stop running, temporarily, during any suspension. When your JOL is reinstated, you will still have to complete the remainder of the six-month restriction period that existed at the beginning of the suspension period, unless you have already turned 18.

  • As the holder of a Junior Operator License (JOL), you may not operate a motor vehicle between 12:30 a.m and 5:00 a.m. unless you are accompanied by one of your parents or your legal guardian. If you are found operating a motor vehicle in violation of this restriction, you may be charged with operating a motor vehicle without being licensed. This is a criminal violation.
  • If you violate the passenger restiction or the night restriction, you will be subject to a license suspension of 60 dyas for a first offense, 180 days for a second offense, and one year for subsequent offenses. For a second or subsequent offense, you will also be required to complete a Driver Attitudinal Retraining course. The law requires the Registrar to impose this suspension in addition to any other penalty, fine, suspension, revocation, or requirement that may be imposed in connection with a violation committed at the time you were violating the passenger or night restriction.
  • You may not operate a motor vehicle that requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
  • You will be suspended for one year if you are udner 18 when you have committed certain driving offenses and alcolhol or drugs were involved (180 days if age 18 to 21), in addition to any penalty assessed by a court or other law.
  • You will be ineligible for a full license until you have completed the period of suspension imposed while operating with a JOL and you reach age 18.
  • You will face additional suspension periods of one year for a first drag racing offense and three years for a subsequent offense, you will be suspended for one year.

Call or click MassAutoQuote if you’d like a free, no-obligation, Massachusetts Auto Insurance quote. You’ll be glad you did.

Google: MA Auto Insurance

“MA Auto Insurance” is the hot key word phrase when it come to Google …

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“MA Auto Insurance” is the hot key word phrase when it come to Google regarding information about Massachusetts auto insurance.

Historically on page 1, our humble MA Auto Insurance website http://www.Massautoquote.com has recently been bumped to page 2.

The reason?  The online playing field isn’t exactly level.

Geico, for instance, spent over $1B (the B stands for billion) in advertising last year.

I have no idea what they spent on their search engine optimization, but I’m certain they spent more than us.

We are, however, Massachusetts consumers’ online independent insurance agent voice: we will save you money and improve your coverage.

Recently we saved someone 15% by switching them away from Geico. Maybe they shouldn’t spend have spent so much on advertising.

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

You’ll be glad you did.

 

Massachusetts Inspection Sticker: Don’t Let it Lapse!

The cruelest of all surcharge points, from a Massachusetts auto insurance perspective, is the one for an ”expired inspection sticker” citation …

Massachusetts Inspection Sticker

The cruelest of all surcharge points, from a Massachusetts auto insurance perspective, is the one for an ”expired inspection sticker” citation.

In Massachusetts, a ticket for an expired vehicle inspection sticker is the equivalent, in auto insurance citation points, of a moving violation.

According to the MA Department of Insurance, surcharge points are incurred if you:

  • cause an at-fault accident
  • are convicted of or pay a fine for a traffic law violation
  • are assigned to an alcohol education program

An expired inspection sticker is considered “pay(ing) a fine for a traffic law violation.”

A $40 ticket results increased insurance costs for 6 years! If you have/ had a perfect driving record, that can amount to about a 20% increase (!!) the first three years, diminishing the following three.

So here’s your warning:

  • Check your MA Inspection Sticker, Don’t let it lapse!

MA Inspection Station locator link:

http://massvehiclecheck.state.ma.us/find_emissions_repair.php

Massachusetts Insurance

The moral of the story is to shop your Massachusetts Insurance with us @ Massautoquote and utitlize the power of the Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent … you’ll be glad you did.

Massachusetts Insurance Quotes

We received a call from a long time Massachusetts client regarding his new, 2015 auto insurance renewal.

His annual premium went up from $1,057 in 2012 to $1,331 in 2013.

What happened?

He got a speeding ticket.

Although there are no surcharge points added for the first moving violation, companies take away incident free driving credits.

So, as a result, his driving record went from a step “99? to a “0.”

Happy ending:  we rated re-rated his renewal with seven companies and found another company more competitive for ”0? drivers.

We transferred his coverage and was able to lower his annual premium to $1,156 with an additional -5% if he takes advantage of the company’s pay in full discount.

The moral of the story is to shop your Massachusetts Insurance with us @ Massautoquote and utitlize the power of the Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent … you’ll be glad you did.

MassAutoQuote Quotes Massachusetts Insurance

At MassAutoQuote, we quote insurance every day …

Massachusetts Quotes

At MassAutoQuote, we quote insurance every day. The first thing we try to get is a copy of your present MA auto insurance Coverage Selections Page.

On the Coverage Selections Page is most of the pertinent things our MA insurance agency looks for in order to provide you comprehensive, comparative rates with numerous MA auto insurance companies.

Top Review Items on your MA Auto Insurance Coverage Page:

  • What is your Part 5, Optional Bodily Injury Coverage? Although not compulsary, this coverage is perhaps the most important coverage on your MA auto policy. This is your liability, or law-suit protection, if you injure someone in an accident. State minimum-type limits are: $20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident. We recommend you consider limits of, at least, $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident.
  • What is your Part 4, Damage to Someone Else’s Property Coverage? We believe you should carry limits of at least: $100,000 per accident. We’ve seen many policies with online writers with $25,000 (or less) coverage. Usually you can improve this coverage to $100,000 for just a few dollars.
  • Does your Parts 3 & 12 Coverage match your Part 5 Coverage? They should. Parts 3 & 12 protect you & guest occupants from other uninsured or underinsured drivers. These Parts are not very expensive to increase & should match your Part 5 limits.
  • Does your vehicle carry Parts 7 & 9, Collision & Comprehensive Coverage? If so, what is your Collision deductible? If $500, you may want to consider increasing to $1,000. Usually the savings pays for such things as improving your Parts 3, 4, 5 & 12!

Other items to consider: are your receiving a mileage discount? Does your insurance company offer a AAA discount? Are you getting a good student or student away at school credit? Are you age 65 or over? Are you receiving your senior citizen discount? Have you packaged your auto insurance with the same company as your home, condominium or apartment insurance? Does someone review your coverage with you annually?

Call or click us for your free, no obligation MA auto insurance review.

Massachusetts Auto Excise Tax

Yes, it’s that pesky excise tax time in Massachusetts.

In an attempt to de-mystify the annual tax, MassAutoQuote offers the following excise tax information …

MA Exise Tax

Yes, it’s that pesky excise tax time in Massachusetts.

In an attempt to de-mystify the annual tax, MassAutoQuote offers the following excise tax information:

Excise bills are prepared by the Registry of Motor Vehicles according to information on the registration. They are sent to city/ town assessors who commit them to local tax collectors for distribution.

The excise tax rate is $25 per $1,000 of valuation (NADA) subject to the following percentage formula:

In the model year: 90%; second year: 60%; third year: 40%; fourth year: 25%; fifth year & beyond: 10%

If you have turned in your plates on the vehicle you are getting excise taxed on, or if you have transferred plates and got rid of the vehicle, you may be eligible for abatement. Abatement instructions are located on your excise tax bill.

MA Auto Insurance Discounts Programs

Chances are, when you last signed up for auto insurance, things in Massachusetts were very different.

What else has changed? Maybe your situation in life?

Have you moved, gotten married, had a job change, or had kids?

Your insurance should change as your life changes …

MA Auto Insurance Discounts

Chances are, when you last signed up for auto insurance, things in Massachusetts were very different.

Once upon a time, with small deviations, all MA auto insurance rates were the same.

Since then, there have been some huge changes in the Massachusetts insurance landscape.

First, managed competition auto insurance entered the state. More auto insurance carriers entered the state and with them came competitive pricing, and consumer-friendly insurance products.

What else has changed?

Maybe your situation in life?

Have you moved, gotten married, had a job change, or had kids?

Your insurance should change as your life changes.

We will shop your Massachusetts auto insurance coverage with multiple companies, make coverage recommendations, and help you if you ever have a billing question or claim problem.

We re-rate renewals and suggest coverage improvements, insurance and discount programs.

Some of the traditional Massachusetts automobile insurance discounts include:

Age 65 or Older, Passive Restraint, Annual Mileage discounts, Anti-theft, Multi-Car, Driver’s Education, Public Transit

Additional discounts may include:

Account discounts, Excellent driver & excellent driver plus discounts (99 & 98 drivers), Pay in full discounts, Hybrid vehicle discount, Advanced driver training discount, Alumni & professional group discounts, Good student discount (“B” or better), Student away at school discounts

Call us for your free, no-obligation insurance discount review!

Uber & Your Massachusetts Auto Insurance

Uber advertises itself as: “the easiest way to get around at the tap of a button.”

The problem, if you’ve ever used Uber or if you’ve ever been an Uber driver, is that your Massachusetts Personal Auto Policy excludes Personal Vehicle Sharing!

Uber and Your MA Auto Insurance Policy

Uber advertises itself as: “the easiest way to get around at the tap of a button.”

Massachusetts Slip & Slide Accident?

If you’ve been in an auto accident as a result of sliding on snow or ice, or because of lack of visibility because of snow banks and if you’ve received the surcharge notice, you might want to consider a surcharge appeal …

Snow street scenes

Have you been found “at-fault” in a slip & slide Massachusetts auto accident? If so, you’re not alone.

Due to the historic snow falls (& more to come), our Massachusetts Insurance Agency has been inundated with auto and homeowner claims.

If you’ve been in an auto accident as a result of sliding on snow or ice, or because of lack of visibility because of snow banks and if you’ve received the surcharge notice, you might want to consider a surcharge appeal.

You should submit written appeal (& non-refundabe $50) to the MA Board of Appeal within 30 days of receiving the surcharge notice.

When determining fault in an accident, unlike the insurance companies, the Massachusetts Board of Appeals takes into consideration contributing factors. Such as: road condition (icy, wet, snow-covered), visibility, other vehicle erratic driving, etc.

The MA Board of Appeal tells us it is presently taking about 9 months before you will receive your hearing date.

Once you have received your hearing date you can: appear in person, submit a written statement, or select someone to appear on your behalf.

Appeal hearings are scheduled in: Boston, Brockton, Peabody, Plymouth, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, or Worcester.

If you win your appeal because of our suggestion, you can thank us by getting your free, competitive MA auto insurance quote from us!

Call or click us today.

Massachusetts Winter Driving Tips

How much snow is too much snow?

I think we’re just about at the limit.

Driving during the winter in Massachusetts can be one of the most difficult and hazardous situations for both new and experienced drivers …

Winter Driving Tips

How much snow is too much snow?

I think we’re just about at the limit.

Driving during the winter in Massachusetts can be one of the most difficult and hazardous situations for both new and experienced drivers.

As the snow flies we offer some winter driving tips:

  • Reduce your speed according to road conditions. Drive cautiously and accelerate gently.
  • Never lock your brakes on icy roads. You will lose steering control. If you do skid, try to remember to turn into the direction of the skid.
  • Increase the space between your vehicle and others. You need more distance to stop safely on slippery surfaces.
  • Make sure your windshield washer has sufficient fluid and that your wipers and defroster are in good condition.
  • Before driving, completely remove ice and snow from your vehicle. Clear all windows, wipers, headlights, and brake lights.
  • Keep your fuel tank at least half full to prevent the fuel line from freezing.
  • Keep a sleeping bad or blanket, flashlight, water, high calorie food that will not spoil, and a shovel in your trunk for emergencies.
  • Best tip of all: Don’t Drive!

From all of us at MassAutoQuote.com: Stay Safe Massachusetts!