ma auto insurance Archives - Massachusetts Auto Insurance

Twenty Five years of insurance

25 years of insurance

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.

You’ll be happy you did.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance

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.

Our Registry of Motor Vehicles service is complimentary (free) for our clients.

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.

Massachusetts At-fault Accident Surcharge Appeal

We’ve reported on it before and believe it’s worth talking about some more:

Have you been found “at-fault” in a Massachusetts accident?

Have you received the surcharge notice?

If so, this means your insurance company paid out over $500 and have determined you to be more than 50% at-fault.

If you believe you were less than 50% at-fault, MassAutoQuote believes you should appeal the surcharge.

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

The cost to appeal the surcharge is $50 and the Massachusetts Board of Appeal tells us it is taking about 8 months before your receive your hearing date.

You can appeal a surcharge either: in person, by written statement, or by selecting someone to appear on your behalf.

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

Mass.gov Board of Appeal Contact information

http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/consumer/insurance/auto-insurance/appeal-license-revocation/board-of-appeal-contacts.html

Board of Appeal
Division of Insurance
1000 Washington St, Suite 810
Boston, MA 02118-6200
Phone (617) 521-7478
Fax (617) 521-7772
Email: BOA Mailbox

Merit Rating Board
P.O. Box 55889
Boston, MA 02205-5889
Phone: (617) 351-4400

MassAutoQuote: Save Benjamins

The job of the Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent is to get the best rates and coverage for clients.

The Independent Insurance Agent shops coverage with numerous companies and takes advantage of available discount programs.

The Independent Insurance Agent will advise and advocate.

The Independent Agent will save you Benjamins.

Simple. Massachusetts. Auto Insurance.

At MassQuotes we make Massachusetts Auto Insurance Simple.

Really simple.

3 Ways to Get Your Auto Quote:

Give us a call!
Fill out our online quote request.
E-mail or fax us a copy of your Auto Coverage Page.

MassQuotes will rate your insurance with, at least, seven different companies. We utilize Professional, Independent Insurance Agents that will assist you in finding the best rates, the best insurance programs, with the best insurance companies that do business in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Operator Report

When Must a Massachusetts Crash Report be filed?

MGL Chapter 90, Section 26 requires a person who was operating a motor vehicle involved in a crash in which (i) any person was killed or (ii) injured or (iii) in which there was damage in excess of $1,000 to any one vehicle or other property, to complete and file a Crash Operator Report with the Registrar within five (5) days after such crash (unless the person is physically incapable of doing so due to incapacity). The person completing the report must also send a copy of the report to the police department having jurisdiction on the way where the crash occurred. If the operator is incapacitated but is not the vehicles’s owner, the owner is required to file the crash report within the five (5) days based on his/her knowledge and information obtained about the crash. The Registrar may require the owner or operator to supplement the report and he/she can revoke or suspend the license of any person violationg any provision of this legal requirement. A police department is required to accept a report filed by an owner or operator whose vehicle has been damaged in a acrash in which another person unlawfully left the scene even if damage to the vehicle does not exceed $1,000.

You can print a copy here: http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/forms/21278.pdf

Once you have completed report send copies to:

local or state police department in the city or town where crash occurred
your independent, MA insurance agent or insurance company
a copy to the RMV, Crash Records, PO Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205-5889

Where is the best place to find Massachusetts auto insurance?

We recommend getting a quote right here at www.MassAutoQuote.com and utilize the power of the Massachusetts Independent Agent!

MA Auto Insurance Companies

Partial list Massachusetts Auto Insurance Companies, websites, telephone number & address:

Amica
1-800-24-AMICA
P.O. Box 9128
Providence, RI 02940-9128
Arbella
1-800-972-5348
1100 Crown Colony Drive
P.O. Box 699103
Quincy, MA 02269-9103
Commerce
1-800-922-8276
211 Main Street
Webster, Massachusetts 01570
Electric
1-800-227-2757
75 Sam Fonzo Drive
Beverly, MA 01915
Encompass
1-866-760-6050
51 West Higgins Road
South Barrington, IL 60010
Hanover
1-800-922-8246
(Allmerica Financial)
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01653-0002
Liberty Mutual
617-357-9500
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Metropolitan
1-800-422-4272
PO Box 350
Warwick, RI 02887

National Grange Mutual
1-800-258-5310
55 West Street
Keene, NH 03431
Norfolk & Dedham
1-800-688-1825
222 Ames Street
Dedham, MA 02026
One Beacon

781-332-7000

One Beacon Lane

Canton, MA 02021
Plymouth Rock
617-951-1620
695 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
Premier
1-800-222-4184
One Chestnut Place
10 Chestnut Street, Ste 300
Worcester, MA 01608
Quincy Mutual
617-472-8770
57 Washington Street
Quincy, MA 02169
Safety
1-800-951-2100
20 Custom House Street
Boston, MA 02110
State Farm
1-800-526-8210
1 State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
USAA
1-800-531-8080
PO Box 659464
San Ant

MassAutoQuote

Because of the huge account discounts, there has never been a better time to consolidate your insurances.

Call or click us to discuss your Massachusetts auto & home insurance.

You’ll be glad you did!

If you insure your Massachusetts auto & home with the same independent agency you ensure you get the best rates, coverage, insurance programs & discounts available.

Because of the huge account discounts, there has never been a better time to consolidate your insurances.

Call or click us to discuss your Massachusetts auto & home insurance.

You’ll be glad you did!

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 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.

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 …

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