We suggest that homeowner and auto insurance should help insure you against catastrophic loss. Catastrophic losses are ones that destroy your home or liability or injury claims that leave you financially devastated. With this in mind, consider higher deductibles. Take the savings and invest in improved liability limits. Make certain that you have adequate Dwelling limits on your home so that you will be able to adequately re-build. Also, consider a Personal Liability Umbrella Policy. An Umbrella Policy “sits” over your home & auto liability insurance.
Advanced Driver Training
By far, the number one killer of teens is automobile accidents. Our Agency, Johnson & Rohan Insurance, promotes safe driving amoung teens and we promote In Control Advanced Driver Training Center. As part of our promotion, one of our companies (Safety Insurance) supplements the cost of the In Control class. Instead of paying the standard rate of $299, Safety insureds pay only $75. In addition, they receive a 5% Open Group discount (Safe Roads Alliance Application Form).
If you would like to discuss, please give us a call at: 1-800-491-1414. Please feel free to use our “Get A Quote” form to get different coverage and premium options from us.
MA Auto Insurance Group Discounts
State-set auto insurance rates in Massachusetts are now a thing of the past.
My business partner asked me yesterday, “How do you think managed competition is going?”
Me? I think, over all, it’s going swimmingly. Our Agency is saving our clients money and we are busy writing new business.
The other night there was a segment on the television show, Chronicle (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle/index.html), about how to best shop for auto insurance. The consensus was: “talk to your agent.”
After all the politics, after all the corporate meetings and strategizing, after all the millions of dollars spent on advertising and after all the fancy (& some of them fluffy) discount programs, the consensus is: Talk to your Agent.
In our ongoing attempt to demystify the changes in the Massachusetts auto insurance system and to educate consumers about different discount and coverage programs, we offer a list of company “group” discounts.
Group discounts, like the popular AAA discount, have long been the elephant in the Massachusetts auto insurance room. Some of these groups are “open” group discounts that are open to anyone (like the AAA discount); others are “closed” group discounts that can only be received by going through a particular agency or directly through the company. As a disclaimer: some of these may not be complete group listings, certain groups may no longer be available, and the discount percentages may not be 100% accurate.
MA Auto Insurance Discounts
As a public service, Massautoquote.com, offers the following list of Massachusetts Insurance Companies and their April 1, 2008 discount programs.
We recommend that you get a quote from us. Our licensed, independent, professional Massachusetts Insurance Agents use numerous companies and will find you the best discounts and insurance programs.
American Automobile Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Multi-Car, Public Transit
Amica Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years Licensed, Years with Company
Arbella Advanced Driver Training, Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years with Company
Citizens Insurance Company of America Advanced Driver Training, Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit
Commerce Insurance Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years Licensed, Years with Company
Electric Insurance Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years Licensed
Encompass Insurance Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Public Transit, Years Licensed
Farm Family Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Daytime Running Lights, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Public Transit, Years Licensed
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years Licensed, Years with Company
Massachusetts Homeland Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years Licensed, Years with Company
Metropolitan Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Public Transit, Years Licensed
National Grange Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Student Away, Years Licensed
Norfolk & Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company Advanced Driver Training, Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years Licensed
Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation Advanced Driver Training, Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Public Transit, Student Away, Years Licensed, Years with Company
Praetorian Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Multi-Car, Public Transit
Quincy Mutual Insurance Company Advanced Driver Training, Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Years Licensed, Years with Company
Safety Insurance Company Advanced Driver Training, Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit, Student Away, Years Licensed, Years with Company
State Farm Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Multi-Car, Public Transit
The Travelers of Massachusetts (Premier) Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Group Membership, Multi-Car, Other Policy, Public Transit
USAA Insurance Company Annual Mileage, Anti-Theft, Good Student, Multi-Car, Public Transit, Student Away
Auto Insurance Discount Programs
April 1, 2008 has come and gone and Massachusetts’ consumers wonder if they are getting the best deal on auto insurance.
If you have a home, apartment or condominium insurance then make sure you package that policy with your auto. The big, new auto discount is the “Companion policy or Account discount.” For the past 30 years the “account discount” has been applied only to one’s home insurance policy. Discounts are now being applied to auto insurance policies.
If you don’t have a home, condo or apartment policy and don’t plan on getting one (in some cases, it might actually make financial sense to purchase a renter’s policy) then where are the discounts?
Some of the new, April 1st Massachusetts auto insurance discount programs include:
GOOD STUDENT DISCOUNTS
STUDENTS AWAY AT SCHOOL DISCOUNTS
ADDITIONAL GOOD DRIVER DISCOUNTS (FOR “STEP” 99 & 98 DRIVERS)
ADDITIONAL MULTI-CAR DISCOUNTS
HYBRID VEHICLE DISCOUNTS
ADVANCED DRIVER TRAINING DISCOUNTS
In addition to new programs some companies continue to offer Open Group Discounts.
For example, following please find a link to a listing of Safety Insurance Company’s Open Group Discounts:
http://www.mass.gov/Eoca/docs/doi/Consumer/Auto_Discounts/css_auto_safety.pdf
These type of Open Group Discounts are discounts in addition to April 1st’s rate decrease, discounts, and insurance programs.
The best way to ensure that you are getting the best rate is to submit a quote request here at http://www.massautoquote.com.
April 1, 2008: Shopping for Mass. Auto Insurance
Pretty cool stuff, this managed competition. I think. I’ve had the great privelege & honor of doing, probably, 200 quotes using the new software and expanding discounts and programs and it is true: consumers are going to save money. However, even once you get your new rate, is it the lowest? Do you have the most consumer friendly product?
Here are some basic April 1, 2008 auto shopping rules:
1.) Package Your Auto & Home Insurance through the same agency/company!
For the first time in 30 years companies are offering an account discount on auto insurance. Discounts available are anywhere from 5% – 10% on the auto & 10% – 20% on the home.
2.) Utilize an Independent Insurance Agency!
Most Massachusetts Insurance Agencies write business with five auto insurance carriers. By utilizing an Independent Agency you will be utilizing the most valuable tool that the new, managed competition system offers. An Independent Insurance Agency will be most familiar with the different discounts and programs that are available.
3.) Take advantage of available discounts!
This one is, sort of, the tricky one. Different companies offer different discounts and knowing which ones are best for you is where an Independent Insurance Agent should be able to provide you valuable assistance.
When reviewing different companies discounts, however, keep in mind that no matter how many alleged discounts or percentage points companies are promising, the bottom line premium is the most important thing.
Some of the new, April 1, 2008 discounts that are available are:
- Account discount on your auto if you have a home, apartment or condominium policy with the same company.
- Improved excellent driver & excellent driver plus discounts (99 & 98 drivers).
- Pay in full discounts.
- Hybrid vehicle discount.
- Advanced driver training discount.
- Certain college (for example: Boston College & Merrimack College) and organization (for example: Mass Bar Association & Mass Medical Society) discounts.
- Good student discount (“B”or better)
- Student away at school discount.
4.) Make certain that you have the best insurance program!
Massachusetts consumers have long been neglected compared to insurance programs that have been available to out of state auto insurance policy holders.
Some of the new, April 1, 2008 programs that are available include:
- Disappearing Collision Deductible.
- Guaranteed Replacement Cost.
- Emergency Road Travel Expenses.
- Auto loan/Gap Coverage.
- Combined bill options.
- Electronic Funds Transfer billing option/ No service fees.