A Consumer Alert to Policy Holders:

You should be aware of provisions in the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Policy and the Massachusetts General Laws that may affect you or household members. This notice has been prepared by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to assist you. It does not replace or modify the actual insurance coverage you buy. Please read your policy for the exact details of your coverage. Notations in red are comments and soultions offered by the W. Allan Wilde & Insurance Agency, not the MDI.

• No coverage is available under your Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Policy for injuries sustained while riding in a snowmobile. You use your medical policy. Liability is not extended either. You can purchase a separate snowmobile liability policy.
  
  
• In the event of accidental damage to your auto you will not recover the deductible amount that you selected from your company unless you purchased the Waiver of Deductible Endorsement and the accident was caused by an auto owned by an identified person. If you don't have the Waiver of Deductible Endorsement your insurance company will endeavor to recover the deductible amount for you if it can be established that the operator of another auto was responsible for the accidental damage. Always purchase the Waiver of Collision Deductible. Always fully identify the other car and driver by copying the information found on their drivers license and auto registration card. Take the name and phone number of any witnesses. Call the police to the scene. Make sure they write down the correct version of how the accident happened. Officers can not be clairvoyant.
  
  
• Massachusetts law requires a Mandatory Pre-Insurance inspection of used private passenger motor vehicles prior to providing coverage for Collision, Limited Collision, or Comprehensive (Parts 7, 8, or 9). In some cases the required inspection of your auto may be deferred for seven calendar days (not including legal holidays). If your auto is not inspected within the time allowed, this coverage for that auto will be automatically suspended. Your premium will be adjusted if the suspension lasts for more than ten days. Don't forget the State Safety inspection is required in the first seven days of ownership, too.
  
  
• If you are involved in an accident you must promptly notify your agent or insurance company. Claims have been denied because of an insured's failure to report an accident. If your auto is stolen or you are the victim of a hit and run accident notify your agent or company and the police within 24 hours of the incident. Notify your agent of all accidents, no matter how minor. See our auto claims page.
  
  
• If your auto is sold and you do not buy another one, you must return your registration plates to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in order to cancel your insurance and receive a refund of any premium that may be owed to you. Your Mass. auto policy can be canceled only by one of three methods: Turn in your plates, another agent notifies the current agent they have rewritten the policy, cancellation for non-payment of premium (not recommended).
  
  
• Pay careful attention to the date that your safety inspection sticker and your registration plates expire. Failure to renew on time can cost you a fine and surcharge expense. Payment of your insurance premium must be made on time to avoid cancellation of your insurance. On the effective date, cancellations are electronically reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Failure to have a valid safety inspection sticker can cost a fine and surcharge expsense too.
  
  
• If you travel outside of Massachusetts to another state or to Canada in your auto it is a wise idea to have your insurance policy or proof of insurance with you. Agents or insurance companies can provide these forms. Remember, your policy provides no coverage if you drive to or rent a car in Mexico and all foreign countries other than Canada. If you rent a car in another country, buy the insurance there. Don't let an accident ruin a vacation.
  
  
• If any of your children who are household members obtain a drivers license you must notify your company within 60 days of that date. You must list all household drivers and regular users of your auto on your policy. You can defer any charges to their own policies, if any.
  
  
• Unless you made special arrangements and paid additional premium, your insurance company will only pay the actual cash value (ACV) of your auto at the time of loss. Sometimes this ACV amount may be less than the outstanding balance due on an auto loan or lease. Buy "Gap Insurance" from the dealer when you lease.
  
  
• If you have an older auto of low value it is usually not a wise economic decision to insure if for Collision or Comprehensive coverage. However, if your auto has substantial value because of its exceptional condition such as an antique, classic, or restored auto, you should have it appraised and then insure it for the appraised value. Insuring your auto as an antique can save premium dollars but you must have antique plates and you can only drive it to events or to be repaired. Use our Kelley Blue Book link to determine the value of your auto.
  
  
• If you have an auto accident or violate the traffic laws of another state that may require you to obtain a Financial Responsibility Certificate (SR-22). Your company must issue this certificate for you if the company is licensed in that state. If your company is not licensed in that state then you may have to make other arrangements through your agent to secure a Financial Responsibility Certificate. Let your agent know immediately if you have been stopped for DWI so they can take action.
  
  
• Notify your insurance company and the Registry of Motor Vehicles if you move, change marital status, buy a new or used auto, or an additional auto. You can change your address On-Line with the REGISTRY. Registry mail is not forwarded so you will not receive your registration if they do not have the correct address (or if you have unpaid parking tickets or excise taxes). Not having an active registration is a surchargeable offense. If stopped, your car will be impounded and your plates turned in to the registry as well.
  
  
• The Collision and Comprehensive coverage you purchased for your auto will apply to any other private passenger auto you rent or use with the consent of the owner. The coverage will not apply to recreational vehicles, trucks, or to any auto that is owned by a household member or is regularly used by you. Applies when you rent a "similar type" auto.
  
  
• An anti-theft device helps prevent the theft of your auto. If you do not have one, install a qualified anti-theft device and notify your agent or insurance company. You will save from 5 to 35% of your comprehensive premium. If your auto is on the high theft vehicle list you must install a qualified device to avoid the extra risk rate. Etching your VIN onto your windows gives a 15% credit on comprehensive and many glass installers will do it for FREE!
  
  
• The city or town where you customarily garage your auto is one of the factors that determines the cost of your insurance. If you or someone on your behalf gives false information regarding the place of garaging of your auto your insurance company may refuse to pay claims under any or all of the Optional Insurance Parts of your policy. Tell the truth.
  
  
• In addition to the place of garaging, the operators of your auto also affect the cost of your insurance. You must list all licensed household members and any other licensed person who will customarily operate your auto. If any listed operator has an auto registered in his or her own name, then that operator will not effect the cost of your insurance. They will be deferred. Gives us the Name of the insurance carrier, the policy number and the effective dates.
  
  
• Exaggerated or phony claims cost everybody money. Insurance companies are vigilant in investigating insurance fraud if you have any information call 1-800-32-Fraud. Tell the truth.
  

  
  Note: If you encounter any difficulty involving any coverage that you have purchased under the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Policy please contact your insurance agent or company representative for assistance. If your agent or company does not respond we suggest you call the Massachusetts Division of Insurance Consumers Help Line (617) 521-7777. TTY service for the hearing impaired, (617) 521-7490.