Discount Double Check Annual Insurance Review

annual discount double check insurance review

You’ve come to the right place. MassAutoQuote offers our free, Massachusetts Discount Double Check Annual Insurance Review. Like a good spring cleaning, visit, phone, or exchange e-mails with us to review your insurance coverage!

It is important to understand your insurance coverage.

We are here to help.

Some questions to ask us:
  • Do we carry adequate liability limits? Limits should equal, at least, your net worth.
  • Should we carry Umbrella coverage? (Yes.)
  • What is the value of our vehicle? If the value is low, should we still carry collision coverage?
  • Are all new drivers included?
  • Do other companies offer lower premiums?
  • If our car loan is paid off, should we remove the lienholder on our policy?
  • Are we getting all available discounts?
  • Should you have Special Items, such as jewelry, antiques, silverware, or collectibles scheduled onto your policy?
  • Do we have enough life insurance?
  • Would you like us to quote your business insurance? Johnson & Rohan Insurance has great commercial markets.

Call us for your annual, insurance review, explanation of coverage, and discount double-check.

Geico vs. Insurance Agent

Geico vs. Insurance Agent? Take the Agent.

Geico vs. Insurance Agent. Be careful you don’t click too soon.

Geico has funny commercials, a cute lizard, and they can, sometimes, have good rates.

From my independent, Massachusetts insurance agent perspective, however, that’s were the funny, cute, and good stuff ends.

We have a long time client that was hit head on by a vehicle insured with Geico.

The Geico vehicle was at-fault, allegedly skidding on black ice (our insured thinks the person was texting).

Geico appraised the vehicle (a 2005 Honda Accord LX with 141,000 miles) and deemed it to be a total loss.

The N.A.D.A. values for her vehicle are: $8,050 (retail) and $5,650 (trade).

GEICO offered her: $4,555 as settlement. Take it or leave it.

We had our client’s insurance carrier appraise the vehicle and they, in turn, offered her the full retail value: $8,050 (+ $503.12 … 6.25% sales tax).

Geico vs. Insurance Agent: $4,555 vs $8,050.

We recommended our client accept her company’s offer and let GEICO know she has decided to go first party through her own insurance company.

As I hung up the phone with our client, I thanked her for insuring with us.

Her response was: “Always.”

Having an independent agent as your advocate, whether deciding on coverage that’s right for you, or at claim time, can really make a difference.

That’s my biased, independent Massachusetts agent position.

Call or click us today for your free, no obligation Massachusetts auto insurance quote.

You will be glad you did.

Independent Agent Added Value

Independent Agent Added Value

For the past thirty years, or so, Massachusetts insurance consumers and Professional, Massachusetts Independent Agents have been pushed around by the insurance industry. Enjoying “state set” auto insurance rates, Massachusetts bloated to the fourth highest auto insurance rates in the country and withered to only 19 auto insurance carriers. It’s up to insurance professionals to  show: Independent Agent Added Value.

As of April 1, 2008 Massachusetts moved to a “managed competition” system. This move has been good for most consumers with a statewide decrease in auto rates of almost 8%. The rate casualties seem to be those with 10 or more points on their license and new drivers.

With all the industry changes and as a small business owner, I’ve found myself working harder and longer. My wife and three babies wonder who this tie-wearing, slightly stressed out, stranger is.  I continue to ask myself, as an Independent Insurance Agency: “Do we add value?” The emphatic answer: YES.

Independent Agent Added Value

Unlike the Liberty Mutuals and The Amicas, we write insurance with many different companies. We represent our clients, as opposed to representing the companies that we place business with. We spend the time to find out which companies are the best fit for our clients. Some companies have more of an appetite for new drivers, some more of an appetite for the home and auto “account business.”

We are here for our customers whenever they have a claim problem or a billing question. We also offer free Registry of Motor Vehicles service.

We are Professional Insurance Advisors that have the best interest of our customers in mind. We offer multiple lines of insurance and as our customers lives change we are here to assist with all their insurance needs.

Your Independent Insurance Agent should offer a lifetime of insurance products and services:

Parents put their newly licensed child on their auto policy, the child buys his first car, he moves out of the house and gets an apartment, he opens a business, buys an engagement ring, gets married, buys a home, has a child, buys life insurance, puchases a personal liability umbrella policy, gets rich, buys a vacation property, buys the ’65 Mustang Shelby GT350, and retires.

Your Independent Agent Added Value: We are here to help every step of the way.

Notes from the Safety Insurance Claims Desk

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The winter of 2015 produced record snow fall and extremely cold temperatures. This combination resulted in a catastrophic number of ice dam claims. With winter weather quickly approaching, now is a good time to prepare our homes and businesses to minimize winter weather threats. Taking a few preventative measures now will help your policyholders get through the upcoming winter.

Ice Dams

What is an ice dam? An ice dam is an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof, usually at the gutter. When interior heat melts the snow on the roof, the water will run down and refreeze at the roof’s edge, where temperatures are much cooler. Eventually, the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off of the roof. This, in turn, forces the water under the roof covering and into the attic or down the inside walls of the house or other structure. Once an ice dam forms, the potential damage can be serious. Taking the following steps will decrease the likelihood that ice dams will form or, at least, will reduce their severity.

  • Keep the attic well ventilated. The colder the attic, the less melting and refreezing on the roof.
  • Keep the attic floor well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.
  • If heavy snow does accumulate on the roof, have the snow removed from the outer edge.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen water in pipes can cause water pressure buildup, which eventually will lead to pipes bursting at their weakest point, causing water damage to your home or business.

To keep water in pipes from freezing, take the following precautions:

  • Keep the temperature in your home or business above 65 degrees at all times.
  • Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer.
  • Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.

Heating

Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of house fires. With a few simple safety tips you can prevent most heating fires from occurring.

• Have your furnace and oil tank serviced annually.
• Have your wood stove inspected before seasonal use.
• Keep the area around your heating system clear of debris and flammable materials.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Install smoke and carbon dioxide detectors in your home and check the batteries twice a year.

Candles

An open flame easily can ignite anything that can burn. The following precautions will help prevent candle fires.

• Do not leave lit candles unattended.
• Have a flashlight ready during a power outage; never use a candle.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches from any flammable materials.
• Place candles in a holder on a sturdy uncluttered surface.

MassAutoQuote Will Save You Money!

The moral of the story is to shop your Massachusetts Auto Insurance with us and utitlize the power of the Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent.

You’ll be glad you did …

MassAutoQuote Happy

MassAutoQuote received a call from a long time client regarding his 2015 auto insurance renewal.

His annual premium went up from $1,057 in 2014 to $1,331 in 2015.

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:  MassAutoQuote 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 $1,098 by taking advantage of an additional -5% pay in full discount.

The moral of the story is to shop your Massachusetts Auto Insurance with us and utitlize the power of the Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent.

You’ll be glad you did.

What to do if in a Massachusetts Auto Accident:

Getting in an auto accident can be a very scary thing.

MassAutoQuote has some suggestions,

What to Do if you get in a Massachusetts Auto Accident …

What to do if in a Massachusetts auto accident

Getting in an auto accident can be a very scary thing.

MassAutoQuote has some suggestions,

What to Do if you get in a Massachusetts Auto Accident:

  • Stop.
  • Be Courteous.
  • Stay Calm.
  • Your interest will be served best if you are courteous and engage in no controversy at the scene of the accident.
  • If there is significant damage to any of the vehicles or any potential injuries call 9-1-1 immediately.
  • Get the names of the owners and drivers involved.
  • Get license numbers, telephone numbers, and registration numbers.
  • Get the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses.
  • Express no opinion as to who was at fault.
  • Give no information except for as required by the authorities.
  • Do not sign any statements unless required by authorities.
  • For prompt claims call your Massachusetts Insurance Agent.
  • If you don’t have a Massachusetts Agent: good luck and call us for a quote on your renewal!

For more information about Mass Auto Quote’s services, please give us a call or a click!

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.

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 Insurance Substitute Transportation Coverage

You drive to and from work every day. You take your kids to the ballgame. You go shopping. Have you ever wondered if your car were in an accident, how you would be able to survive without a car? We have the answer …

MA Auto Insurance Rental Coverage

You drive to and from work every day. You take your kids to the ballgame. You go shopping. Have you ever wondered if your car were in an accident, how you would be able to survive without a car? We have the answer. It’s Substitute Transportation Coverage to the rescue. The good thing about car insurance is that you can buy a number of endorsements for additional protections and rental car reimbursement is one of them.

What Is Substitute Transportation Coverage?

Substitute Transportation Coverage is Part 10 on the Massachusetts Personal Auto Policy. Substitute Transportation Coverage provides financial protection for you if you need a vehicle when your car is damaged in an accident covered by your Comprehensive or Collision coverage. Some policies cover car rentals when your vehicle undergoes mechanical repairs. Rental reimbursement is generally available only with policies that include collision and comprehensive coverage.

How Do I Know If I Purchased the Coverage on My Massachusetts Car Insurance Policy?

The first several pages of your insurance policy are called the declarations pages. These pages contain the declarations of the coverages you have purchased for each of your vehicles and include the specific description of your vehicle(s). Look for a line item listed as “Rental” or “Extended Transportation,” with a dollar amount listed to the side of it. You have purchased this insurance only if there is a dollar coverage amount next to it and there is a policy premium amount listed for the insured vehicle. You may purchase the coverage for one vehicle but not for another, at your option.

How Substitute Transportation Coverage Works

The optional rider offsets the daily cost of a rental vehicle for a specific time period and up to the specific daily limit you purchased. You can generally purchase limits of $15/day $450 total (costs about $14 annually) and $30/day $900 total (costs about $54 annually). The first number indicates the daily maximum coverage and the second is the maximum coverage for 30 days. For example, if you purchase 30/900, the policy would pay up to $30 per day for up to a maximum of 30 days or $900, whichever comes first.

Most insurance carriers have pre-arranged agreements with several car rental agencies that may include direct bill and pre-negotiated rates. Remember, if you exceed your policy limits, you are responsible for the difference. You should select a rental rate based on the type of car you need. If you have a family SUV, you should select a daily rental rate for a comparable vehicle.

How Do I Know When I Am Covered?

The time to find out if you have this coverage is BEFORE an accident. So call your independent agent. If you purchased the coverage, you are insured while the vehicle is in the shop being repaired, up to your coverage limits. If your vehicle is not drivable, you may be able to get a rental vehicle before your vehicle is being repaired, but always check with your agent first. If your vehicle is stolen, call the insurance company or your agent immediately after calling the police to report the car stolen since most have a clause in the policy that does not cover a rental vehicle for the first 48 hours after the reported loss. If your vehicle is totaled you will have a limited time frame in which to replace it and that may be less than the maximum that could be paid out under this coverage.

MassAutoQuote.com Can Help!

As your online independent insurance agent, MassAutoQuote can help you select the appropriate Substitute Transportation Coverage limit for you. Contact us when you are purchasing your auto insurance and we can help you find the right insurance company.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance: Towing & Labor Coverage

You might think you don’t need the policy because you’ve got a brand-new car, and it’s unlikely to break down. But anyone can get a flat or run out of gas, so Towing & Labor Coverage might be of value to you …

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Towing and Labor Coverage

Car towing and labor insurance is a simple add-on to your auto insurance policy. As the name implies, it covers the cost of having your car towed for repairs.

The labor portion of the coverage is a little less clear, but it means the insurance company will pay for labor needed at the spot where your car needed assistance. It doesn’t cover labor done at an auto repair shop once it’s been towed there.

You’d use this policy to cover your expenses in cases such as:

  • A flat tire
  • A dead battery
  • An empty gas tank
  • A car stuck in the snow or mud
  • A car with the keys locked inside

So, for example, if your car wouldn’t start and the issue was a dead battery, the car towing insurance would pay for the person arriving at the scene to replace the battery on the spot if possible (but not for the battery itself. If the battery wasn’t the problem and the car needed to be towed to an auto repair shop, the policy wouldn’t pay for the work performed there.

Who Needs Car Towing Insurance

You might think you don’t need the policy because you’ve got a brand-new car, and it’s unlikely to break down. But anyone can get a flat or run out of gas, so it might be of value to you.

But the people who don’t need car towing and labor insurance are people who are already enrolled in a roadside service program, such as AAA. Those memberships cover everything a car towing and insurance policy covers – and more.

For example, if you’re riding with a friend and his car breaks down, you can use your AAA membership to get help. Towing insurance only covers the vehicle for which it is purchased.

In some cases, the towing insurance is a little less expensive than other roadside assistance programs. Be sure you know what is covered, though. Insurance companies vary in what is included. Also, you most likely will need comprehensive insurance on your auto policy in order to be eligible for a car towing and labor coverage.

The typical cost on the Massachusetts auto insurance policy is $8 per year for $50 of towing and labor reimbursement coverage. $16 per year for $100 of towing & labor coverage.

MassAutoQuote Can Help

Your independent insurance agent can help you sort out what’s your best option in your situation. Call MassAutoQuote today and we can review your Massachusetts auto insurance coverage.