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MA Registry of Motor Vehicles 10 Point Promise

Secretary Davey said: “We have re-imagined the RMV and are prepared to deliver improvements in the short term and for the next generation of drivers. At the core of our ten point promise is the effort to diversify our service delivery channels.”

Over the years the Massachusetts RMV has taken quite a bit of heat. Most of it deservedly so, and some of it coming from this humble, MA Auto Insurance Web Log.

Although, as lines outside the door testify, the RMV is not perfect, over the past 20 years some things have improved.

Recently MA Department of Transportation Secretary & CEO, Richard Davey and Mass Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Celia Blue, offered a ten point promise to Massachusetts RMV customers which we find encouraging.

Registrar Blue added: “Our ten point promise is a commitment to our customers. It will serve as a roadmap on our way to delivering extraordinary
service.”

Encouraging you to make MassRMV.com your first stop every time – directing you to the most
efficient service and adding new transactions, no wait for 35+ transactions today at
MassRMV.com.
Growing our customer service representative team – backfilling and hiring to serve our branch
customers with the most complex transactions in a timely manner, exploring part-time
positions to reduce the lunchtime crunch time.
Professionalizing the frontline – Striving to deliver extraordinary customer service by
developing employee performance standards, incentive programs and designing uniforms.
Modernizing facilities & marrying transportation functions – improving existing facilities,
designing new branches, prioritizing proximity to transit services and adding E-ZPass service
centers.
Renewing your photo on your own – deploying FasTrack self-service kiosks to allow customers
in good standing to renew their license/ID on their own, leaving customer service reps to focus
on more complex transactions.
Meeting you where you are – continued pursuit and expansion of public private partnerships
with industry partners like AAA, dealerships, driving schools, health care providers and
insurance agents.
Giving you back your time – saving customers millions of minutes by offering call back service
and customer appointments at 857-DOT-8000.
Answering questions & resolving customer issues in new ways – introducing online live chat,
expanding our telephone self-service system at 857-DOT-8000.
Delivering real time wait times to meet your schedule – procuring a new queuing system to help
you manage your time and adding mobile app appointments.
Modernizing our licensing & registration system – implementing a 360 degree customer view
that will revolutionize how the public interacts with the RMV.

MA Auto Insurance Discounts

In order to make certain you are getting the best rates, it’s important to shop around and look for every discount available …

Six years ago the Massachusetts auto insurance industry welcomed “managed competition” to the state.

Managed competition has helped usher in a new era for MA auto insurance consumers.

Companies that long ago fled the state, came back. Some that were never here entered the state.

In order to make certain you are getting the best rates, it’s important to shop around and look for every discount available.

The first place to start when looking for the best auto premium is by packaging your auto insurance with the same company as your home insurance.

If you don’t own a home or condominium, it might be time to purchase apartment insurance coverage. If not for the only reason of taking advantage of an auto insurer’s “account discount.”

Other discounts to consider:

Did you drive less than 10,000 miles over the past 12 months?
Are you a good driver? Have you had any at-fault accidents or moving violations over the past 6 years?
Do you pay your bills in full?
Do you receive your bills and documents by e-mail?
Did you recently get married? Do you have the same company as your spouse?
Are any of your kids good students? Do they have a “B” or better average?
Are you a college graduate?

Did We Mention Discounts?

If you signed up for Massachusetts auto insurance with MassAutoQuote.com, chances are, we saved you money.

We also probably improved your coverage …

If you signed up for Massachusetts auto insurance with MassAutoQuote, chances are, we saved you money.

We also probably improved your coverage.

Our job, as MA independent insurance agents, is to shop your 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 or 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 or click us for your free MA auto insurance discount review!

New Boston Registry of Motor Vehicles Opens

On September 15, 2014 the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles opened new, Haymarket Center, Boston location …

On September 15th the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles closed down the old, Washington Street, China Town Registry of Motor Vehicles and opened at their new location at Haymarket Center (136 Blackstone Street).

The full-service Registry Branch is adjacent to Haymarket Station.

According to the Registry of Motor Vehicles:

Boston is the RMV’s busiest branch. During the month of August more than 32,000 customers were served. Customers working to reinstate their licenses, following periods of suspension or revocation, visit the Boston location for hearings, with approximately 7,000 held there each month.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place this morning at 10:30 am.

MassAutoQuote: 15 Seconds …

Time yourself:

Try our Quick Quote Request on the right.

7 fields of information, if you have your MA driver’s license in front of you it might take you 15 seconds.

15 seconds might save you more than 15% …

Shop your Massachusetts auto insurance with MassAutoQuote: call or click us today!

As independent, Massachusetts insurance agents, we see it every day: MA Auto insurance renewal rates are going up.

Massachusetts insurers offer premium enticing ways to capture new business, including: advanced shopper, advance issue, new home buyer, and declining e-customer credits.

Now is the time to get a brand new, shiny Massachusetts auto, home, business or life insurance quote from your insurance agent.

If you’re tired of filling out seemingly endless fields of information to get a quote request, then try our Quick Quote Request on the right.

7 fields of information will get us started.

7 fields of information, time yourself. If you have your MA driver’s license in front of you it will take you, maybe 15 seconds.

Geico suggests: “15 minutes could save you 15% ….”

We might be able to save you more than that in 15 seconds.

Call or click us for your free, no obligation, competitive, comparative, Massachusetts auto insurance quote!

MA Insurance Surcharge Appeal Part 2

Have you been found “at-fault” in a Massachusetts auto accident?
If you believe you are not more than 50% at-fault in the accident, then MassAutoQuote.com believes: You should appeal the surcharge! …

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

Have you received the surcharge notice?

If so, this means your insurance company determined you are more than 50% at-fault.

If you believe you are not more than 50% at-fault in the accident, then MassAutoQuote.com 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, or other unforeseen conditions.

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

If you decide to appeal your surcharge, Good Luck!

In the meantime, call or click us to get your own Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quote.

MA Auto Insurance Claim: Crash Operator Report

Auto accidents can be scary, traumatic events.

Your auto claim experience should not be …

Auto accidents can be scary, traumatic events.

Your auto claim experience should not be.

Your MA Independent Insurance Agent is here to help you with the claim process.

A big part of what we do at our office, is help people with claims. We take first report of the accident, arrange appraisal, and ensure timely, fair settlements.

Part of the process is completing a Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report

When Does Massachusetts Require You File a Report?

You should file a report if you’re the operator of a vehicle involved in a crash where the damage to any one vehicle or property is over $1,000, or if there is an injury to any person, even if a police officer was on the scene. You should file the report within 5 days of the date of the crash.

When Should you NOT File a Report?

You should not file a report if the crash occurred on a private road, driveway, private parking lot or other private way.

Why this Report is Important

Data from this report is used for many purposes including:

Identifying locations with a large number of crashes.
Improving dangerous highways and intersections.
Developing highway safety public information programs.
Developing programs to save lives and reduce highway injuries.

Where to send completed reports:

Mail or deliver one copy to your local police department in the city or town where the crash occurred.
Mail one copy to your Insurance Company.
Mail one copy to the RMV at: Crash Records RMV; PO Box 55889; Boston, MA 02205-5889

Link: MA RMV Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21278.pdf

Your Independent MA insurance agent will help you complete the form and forward to the appropriate authorities.

Give us a call!

MA Auto Insurance Co. 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

ADDED VALUE/TRUSTED CHOICES

Part 1: Massachusetts Auto Insurance

My name is Kevin Johnson. I am a Massachusetts Insurance Agency owner. I am a licensed, professional Independent Insurance Agent.

The Nation is watching as the world of “Massachusetts Auto Insurance” moves into “managed competition.”

What is going to become of the Independent, Massachusetts Insurance Agent?

Part 2: The Incredible Shrinking Agency

With continued rate decreases and competition (slipping retention rates), many MA Insurance Agencies are working longer, working harder and still our books of business are shrinking.

Over the past decade companies are having the local agent do more of the processing and more of the underwriting. We have had to keep pace with technological advancements with ongoing, significant expenses.

Companies try to commodatize and marginalize what we do and continue to reduce commissions.

Part 3: Is It Time To Close Up Shop?

“No Business for Old Men.” Sounds like a movie. I can see my senior partner playing the lead role fumbling with usernames, passwords and rating software.

Direct writers and new carriers threaten our professional existences. How can we compete?

Many in the biz. wonder if it is time to close up shop.

Part 4: Conclusion

The Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agency community is vital part of a healthy insurance system.

I have a note on my desk that says: “Add Value.” It is a daily reminder of why I am here. We are advocates for our clients. We represent our clients at claim time and we make certain of fair and timely settlements. We are a voice on the other end of the phone, or in the office, that has the interest of our client in mind.

We are here for billing problems or insurance-related, life issues.

We market multiple lines of insurance, with multiple carriers and we shop for the best rates and insurance programs. We offer Trusted Choices.

Part 5: Epilogue

With the strength of Added Value & Trusted Choices the Massachusetts Independent Agent should be buoyed. Instead of us wondering how to compete, we should start feeling bad for the direct writers.

They don’t stand a chance.

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.

Metropolitan Insurance