Some people think it doesn’t really matter where they buy their Massachusetts auto insurance. It’s all about price. Price is important, but more important is: what coverage and services are you buying for this price? Buying auto insurance in Massachusetts isn’t like buying bread or milk. Insurance is asset protection and is an important safety net for your family, home, car or business. Don’t treat the purchase lightly!

There is a difference in where you buy your Massachusetts insurance. There are three sources for MA auto insurance:

1. Captive Agents, who can sell you the insurance of only one company.
2. Telephone Representatives, who can offer you the insurance of one company, and only on the telephone or internet.
3. Independent Insurance Agents, who represent an average of eight insurance companies, and research with these firms to find you the best combination of price, coverage, discounts and service.

Your Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent:

• 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, Massachusetts renters insurance, Massachusetts car insurance, business, life and health insurance.
• 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.

There Is A Difference between Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agents and Captive Agents.

In Massachusetts, unless combined damage is less than $500, drivers that are found “at-fault” are assessed points. If over $2,000 is paid out the accident is considered “major” and 4 points are applied to the driver’s driving record. If less than $2,000 is paid out then the accident is considered “minor” and 3 points are applied. If less than $500, there are no surcharge points.

There are two burdens of proof when it comes to an at-fault accident. The first burden of proof is with the insurance company. Who, in the accident, was more at fault? There are certain “rules of the road” that assist claim handlers when deciding fault. Some examples of “at fault” accidents are: taking a left hand turn, pulling out of a parking space, leaving a stop or yield sign, rear-ending someone,  or being in a single vehicle collision. If you have broken one of these “rules of the road,” then you will, most likely, be found “at-fault” for the auto accident.

Once you have deemed found “at-fault” for an accident by the insurance, you will receive a surcharge notice from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The second burden of proof is with the state. Unlike the insurance companies that deem someone at-fault (unless the accident is considered a 50%-50%) for an accident, the state will consider contributing factors in the accident when it comes to applying the surcharge.

In other words, if you rear end someone in an auto accident, your insurance company will find you “at-fault” for the accident and they will have to pay for damages. You will then receive a surcharge notice from the state. For a fee of $50 you can appeal the surcharge. If the accident was weather related, we always recommend our clients fight the surcharge. If there were other contributing factors, such as, ice, snow, rain, sun in the eyes, or the other vehicle suddenly stopped short because a family of ducks were crossing and you rear-ending the other party was unavoidable, then you stand a real good chance of winning the appeal. 

If you have been surcharged for an accident, and if you believe you were less than 50% at-fault, you may contact the Massachusetts Merit Rating Board to appeal.

Merit Rating Board @ 617-351-4400

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) requires that any vehicle over 10,000 ppounds GVWR involved in interstate commerce is a “commercial vehicle.”

Some of the provisions of the FMCSA require DOT numbers, signage, a comercial driver’s license (CDL), medical cards, random alcohol and substance testing, etc. depending on vehicle size, wieght and usage.

As a business in Massachusetts with commercial autos, you may want to consult a specialist on compliance:

Fleet Safety Services, Inc.

12 Howard Street, Worcester MA 01609

800-215-2490

The Transportation Advisor, Inc

PO Box 558, Palmer, MA 01069

800-608-8890

Two of the new, widely asked-about products offered by some auto insurance companies in Massachusetts are:

Accident Forgiveness – For a fee, some auto insurance companies in MA will include an “Accident Forgiveness” endorsement. So, if you get in a future at-fault auto accident, your auto insurance company will not apply a surcharge to your policy renewal.

Disappearing Deductible – For a fee, some MA auto insurance companies offer a “Disappearing Deductible” program. This endorsement usually credits your Collision deductible – $100 for each year you go at-fault accident free; up to a maximum -$500 credit.

Both auto insurance endorsements can save MA drivers money if in a future, at-fault accident.

Ask your Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent about these programs.