Massachusetts Winter Driving

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (http://www.mass.gov) has issued information to help people prepare for another Massachusetts Winter Season. Following please find a list of Automobile Safety Tips and a list of items to include in your Winter Emergency Car Kit.

Massachusetts Winter Driving Safety Tips:

  • Have a well-stocked Winter Emergency Car Kit.
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full.
  • Install good winter tires with adequate tread and pressure.
  • Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal. Keep all windows clear of snow and ice and keep your headlights and taillights clear, as well.
  • Check your antifreeze, battery and windshield wipers and wiper fluid.
  • Plan long trips careful, listening to the radio or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest weather forecasts and road conditions. Consider Public Transportation.
  • Travel during daylight hours, and if possible, take another person with you.
  • Let others know your timetable and primary and alternate routes. Allow extra time. The first 1/2″ of snow is sometimes the most slippery. Allow adequate braking distance from the car in front of you.
  • Slow down. Many times hazards like black ice are not seen until it is too late. Remember bridges and overpasses can freeze up sooner than roadways.
  • Be extra alert. Snowdrifts can hide children or other vehicles.
  • Yield to snowplows, giving them plenty of room to safely do their job. Be patient and follow at a safe distance.
  • If a blizzard taps you in your car, pull off the highway. Turn on hazard lights and hang a brightly colored distress flag/cloth from your radio antenna or window.
  • Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are more likely to find you. Do not set out on foot, unless you can see a building close by where you know you can take shelter.
  • Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, crack open the window slightly for ventilation. Periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe.
  • Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion. In extreme cold, use road maps, eat coverage and floor mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers.
  • Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews.
  • Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
  • Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance electricity energy needs: the use of lights, heat and radio.
  • At night, turn on the inside dome light so work crews and rescuers can see you.
  • After the snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

Winter Emergency Car Kit:

  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Charged cell phone/ automobile charger
  • Basic first-aid kit
  • Necessary medications
  • Pocket knife
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • Extra clothes (include rain gear, boots, mittens, socks)
  • High-calorie, non-perishable foods (dried fruits, nuts, canned food)
  • Manual can opener
  • Container of water
  • Windshield scraper & brush
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Shovel
  • Sand/ road salt/ cat litter for generating traction
  • Tire chains or traction mats
  • Basic tool kit (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
  • Tow rope
  • Battery jumper cables
  • Road flares/ reflectors
  • Brightly colored cloth to utilize as a flag
  • Road maps

 

Massachusetts Auto Insurance

As a Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agency, over the past 40 years we’ve seen many changes including:

  • State-set auto insurance rates have gone and come and gone again.
  • Likewise, insurance companies have come and gone and come again.

Allstate Insurance left the MA auto insurance marketplace in 1987 because of the state-set auto insurance rate-making process.

Recently Allstate has come back to Massachusetts opening an office in North Andover, MA.

Allstate agents are captive agents. Similar to Liberty Mutual, State Farm, and Amica agents, the only write insurance products for one company.

Unlike our Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agency, they do not shop your insurance with multiple companies.

For many MA consumers, the new insurance landscape has provided savings and improved insurance programs, such as: accident forgiveness & disappearing deductibles.

However, for many disenfranchised, the new system can be extremely penal with companies requiring 100% annual premium payment for those with cancelled policies (& financial troubles). Some consumers are left with the troubling choice of financing their annual insurance or risking severe penalties (& registration revocation) letting their insurance cancel.

Your MA Independent Agent will be able to show you what your best options are for Massachusetts Auto Insurance.

Call or click us for your free, no obligation MA insurance review.

We will try to help you!

Boston: Worst Winter Weather City

According to The Old Farmers Almanac, Boston, Massachusetts qualifies as one of the worst winter weather cities!

They Almanac says: “Nor’easter storms translate to heavy rainfall, snow, and freezing temperatures.”

Unlike last year’s mild winter, many are predicting a colder, and (6 x) snowier winter than last year.

So, dig out your winter boots, gloves and hats. Get the shovels, scrapers and snow-blowers ready. Replenish your sand, salt, and wiper fluid …

Winter’s coming! 

 

MA Auto Insurance Discounts

Here are some of the traditional automobile discounts offered in Massachusetts:

Age 65 or Older – A 25% discount for all coverage items will be applied after all other discounts and rating factors, but prior to the application of the SDIP rating step.

Passive Restraint discount- A 25% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 2,3,6 and 12 is available if your auto is equipped with an air bag or automatic seat belts.

Annual Mileage discounts – A 10% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 1-8 and Part 12 is available if your estimated annual mileage falls between 0 and 5,000 miles. A 5% discount is available if your estimated annual mileage falls between 5,000 and 7,500 miles.

Anti-theft discounts – Up to 35% of the premium paid for Part 9 (Comprehensive) are available for automobiles with various types of qualifying anti-theft devices. Many glass companies offer complimentary “window etching” which will qualify you for a 15% anti-theft discount, in lieu of any other device.

Multi-Car discounts – Available if an individual or married couple own two or more autos insured by the same company and there are no inexperienced operators.

Driver’s Education discount – A 10% discount applied to the premium for Parts 1,2,4,5, and 7 is available for the first 3 years after an inexperienced driver has completed an approved training course.

Public Transit discount – A 10% public transit discount is applied to the premium paid for Parts 4 and 7 (up to a maximum of $75 per eligible vehicles). This discount is available if you provide your insurer with evidence of purchase of 11 months of commuter passes from qualified transit systems and if you do not drive your auto to work or school more than 10 days per month.

In addition, other Massachusetts auto insurance discounts may include:

  • Account discount on your auto if you have a home, apartment or condominium policy with the same company.
  • 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 discount.
  • Multi-vehicle policy & multi-car discounts.

MA Home Insurance: Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost

Does your Massachusetts homeowner policy have the Personal Property Replacement Cost Endorsement?

Claims can be settled two different ways: Actual Cash Value basis  (ACV) or Replacement Cost basis.

ACV is based on the replacement cost of the property, minus a deduction for physical depreciation and obsolescence. Your 10 year old recliner might not be worth much when figured this way and the payment from the insurance company might not be enough to buy a new one.

However, if you have the Replacement Cost Endorsement (cost is about 10% of the policy’s premium), the company will pay the cost to replace the property with a similar type and quality of property without a deduction for depreciation.

Having this replacement cost endorsement can be very valuable. However, even policies with Replacement Cost have limits for “special items” such as jewelry, antiques, collectibles, fine arts, and silverware. These items should be “scheduled” on your policy separately.

Massachusetts Home Insurance Basics:

Ok, settle down. It’s back to school time and MA homeowner insurance class is in session.

Every year you spend a lot of money on your homeowner insurance. Your mortgage company requires that you carry it. Do you understand what your home insurance does and doesn’t do for you?

Here’s a quick review of your MA home insurance policy:

Coverage A, Dwelling – The amount of coverage assigned to your dwelling should reflect the amount it would cost to completely repair or rebuild your home should it suffer a covered loss.

Coverage B, Other Structures – Typically 10% of Coverage A, Other Structures Coverage is for other structures (mailbox, shed, dog house, swimming pool, garage etc.) on your property detached from your dwelling.

Coverage C, Personal Property – Typically 50 – 70% of Coverage A, Personal Property Coverage provides coverage for your personal possessions such as furniture, clothing and appliances are covered. Certain types of possessions, such as jewelry, fine arts, antiques & collectibles, are excluded or have limited coverage.

Coverage D, Loss of Use – Typically 20% of Coverage A, Loss of Use Coverage pays for housing and other living expenses (like meals and laundry) if you suffer a loss that makes your home uninhabitable.

Coverage E, Personal Liability – Personal Liability Coverage provides on & off premise lawsuit protection and will provide coverage for bodily injury or property damage for which you are legally responsible.

Coverage F, Medical Payments – This coverage is available to others (not household residents) and will pay medical expenses up to, traditionally, $1,000.

Covered Perils – A homeowner insurance policy will provide protection from: fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, explosion, aircraft, vehicles, riot or civil commotion, smoke, theft, vandalism/malicious mischief, glass breakage, volcanic eruption, falling objects, weight of ice, snow or sleet, freezing of plumbing, accidental plumbing discharge, rupture of steam or hot water heating system, air conditioning systems, or water heaters, damage from artificially generated electricity.

Exclusions – A homeowners policy excludes coverage from: flood, or water that backs up through sewers, loss to building by earthquake, aftershocks and mud slides, loss by enforcement law or ordinance regulating construction, repair or demolition, or zoning, loss due to power interruption when the interruption takes place off the residence property, loss due to neglect of the insured to save and preserve property following a loss, war and nuclear perils, intentional loss.

Deductibles – Homeowner policy include a deductible. The deductible is the amount the consumer is responsible for before the insurance coverage applies.. Typical deductibles are $500, $1,000, and $2,500. The higher the deductible: the lower the annual premium.

Call or click us at MassQuotes.com to get your free, no obligation, Massachusetts insurance review.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance: Scary thoughts

According to a Boston Globe article based on a national study commissioned by GMAC Insurance:

Many drivers have difficulty with such basic practices as merging and interpreting road signs. One out of five drivers does not know that a pedestrian in a crosswalk has the right of way. The study indicated that one out of three drivers speed up to make a yellow light, even when pedestrians are present. One out of 10 drivers regularly exceeds the speed limit by 11 or more miles per hour. One in three drivers said they would drink and drive as long as they felt “all right” to get behind the wheel.

MA Auto Insurance Quotes

Did you know MassQuotes.com utilizes the power of the Independent Massachusetts Insurance Agent to find you the best rates with the best insurance companies?

MassQuotes.com is your internet insurance website for finding the most competitive Massachusetts Auto, Home & Life Insurance.

Your MA independent agent writes with numerous companies and will be able to package your policies for the best premiums.

Your insurance agent should be able to help you with the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Your MA agent will advocate for you at claim or billing time.

To find the best Massachusetts auto, home or life insurance rate: call or click us today!

Ways to Save on your Massachusetts Automobile Insurance

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, insurance companies are required to provide Massachusetts auto insurance consumers with the following, MA insurance consumer information guide:  “Your Consumer Guide – Ways To Save on your Automobile Insurance”

This MA Division of Insurance Guide Contents:

Part 1 – Shopping for Insurance

Part 2 – What is in My Insurance Policy?

Part 3 – How Do I Lower My Premium?

Part 4 – My Driving Record

Part 5 – My Consumer Rights

Part 6 – Accident, Claims and Fraud

Part 7 – Things to Remember

The MA Division of Insurance also offers a pretty neat: online shopping tool which shows sample premiums based on sample driver profiles. These sample premiums, based on sample driver profiles are intended only to be used as examples.

MassQuotes utilizes Independent, Massachusetts Insurance Agents to provide quotes from numerous companies for auto, home, & term life insurance. We quote insurance only in the State of Massachusetts.