What’s In My Auto Insurance Policy?
Compulsory Insurance: Coverages You Must Buy:
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Bodily Injury to Others
Bodily Injury to Others protects you against legal liability for the accidental injury or death of others caused by the operation of your car, but only if the accident occurs in Massachusetts. You will be covered up to the basic limit of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. Injuries to the driver or passengers in your car are not covered under this Part.If you drive outside of Massachusetts or in places where the public has no right of access, or if you drive with guests in your car, please see Optional Bodily Injury to Others (Part 5), for coverage that will protect you in such situations.
You could be sued for more than the required ($20,000/$40,000) limits for Bodily Injury to Others. Buying higher limits under the Optional Bodily Injury to Others (Part 5) coverage may protect you from large losses.
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Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays up to $8,000 for medical expenses, replacement services and 75% of any lost wages. PIP will pay these expenses to you or anyone you let drive your car, anyone living in your household, passengers and pedestrians, no matter who causes the accident.
Your PIP coverage pays for medical expenses in excess of $2,000 that are not reimbursed by your health insurance only after these expenses have been submitted to your health insurer to determine what it will and will not pay.
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Bodily Injury Caused By An Uninsured Auto
Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto protects you, anyone you let drive your car, household members and passengers (unless covered by another Massachusetts policy with similar coverage) against losses caused by an uninsured or unidentified (“hit and run”) driver. A minimum limit of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident is required. This coverage does not pay for property damage or damage to your auto.
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Damage to Someone Else’s Property
This coverage pays for damage to another person’s property when you, a household member or another authorized driver cause an accident. A minimum limit of $5,000 is required.
Compulsory insurance is the minimum amount of coverage required by state law. Accidents can often result in damage that exceeds these limits. Depending on your individual needs, you may wish to purchase increased limits on these coverages or additional types of coverages such as those listed in the optional coverage section. You should consult with an agent or other insurance professional for help in determining what types and how much coverage you need.
Optional Insurance: Coverage You Can Choose to Buy:
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Optional Bodily Injury to Others
Optional Bodily Injury to Others extends your liability protection under Part 1 above the mandatory limits required by the Commonwealth. This option provides coverage for accidents beyond Massachusetts to anywhere in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada. It also provides coverage for bodily injuries suffered by guests in your auto. -
Medical Payments
Optional medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses for you, your household members and passengers, over and above amounts covered by Personal Injury Protection (PIP) no matter who caused the accident. -
Collision
Collision coverage pays for damage to your car, less any deductible, no matter who causes the accident. Personal property is not covered unless it is permanently installed in your car. If your car is financed, your lender may require collision coverage.
Waiver of Deductible: For an additional premium, you may purchase a “waiver of deductible.” With this waiver, your collision deductible will not apply when an accident is caused by an identifiable driver.
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Limited Collision
Limited collision coverage pays for collision damage to your car if you are no more than 50% at-fault for the accident AND the owner of the other vehicle is identifiable.
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Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to or loss of your car, less any deductible, resulting from events such as fire, theft, vandalism, and striking an animal, but not collision. Personal property such as a stereo is not covered unless it is permanently installed in your car. If your car is financed, your lender may require this coverage.
If your automobile is stolen you must report it to the police and your insurance company. You will be reimbursed for transportation costs after the first 48 hours following the report.
Selecting Your Deductible: Your deductible will be set at $500 unless you select a different amount. You can always save on your premium by choosing a larger deductible where one is offered. In determining the right deductible for you, decide how much you can afford to pay out of your own pocket in the event of an accident or loss in which you are at fault, or the other driver is unidentified.
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Substitute Transportation
This coverage reimburses up to the limit purchased for car rental or transportation costs including taxi, bus, and train fare while your car is undergoing collision or covered repairs.
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Towing and Labor
Towing and Labor coverage pays up to the limit purchased for towing and labor charges each time your car breaks down whether or not there is an accident involved. You are covered only for the on-site labor costs at the breakdown site needed to get your car running again. Parts are not covered.
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Bodily Injury Caused By An Underinsured Auto
This optional coverage pays if you are injured by a motorist with liability limits less than the amount of the damages you are entitled to recover. The other motorist’s policy pays its limits first and then yours pays any remaining losses up to the amount purchased. This coverage will not pay for damage to property.
Policy Questions
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Q. How do I cancel my Insurance/Delete a vehicle?
A. Whether you sell your vehicle, or take it off the road, you need to turn in your Massachusetts (MA) plates to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and forward to us your Plate Return Receipt.. If you move to another state, you must make arrangements for new plates and insurance in that state within 30 days then return your MA plates to us in order to cancel your MA policy. -
Q. When do I have to add my son/daughter to my Auto Policy?
A. Your son/daughter needs to be added when they receive their driver’s license. Note they do not need to be added while they drive on a learners permit. Once they pass their license exam, please submit in writing to our office a copy of their license. -
Q. Who should be listed on my MA Automobile policy?
A. All household members with driver’s licenses must be included on your policy as well as any customary operators. A customary operator is anyone who uses the vehicle on a regular basis whether a household member or not. -
Q. What discounts are available for the MA Automobile Policy?
A. Low Mileage, Multi- Car, Anti Theft, Senior Citizen, Public Transit, Safe Driver Credits, Motor Club Association, Good-Student, Student-away-at-school and various others. Please contact us discuss what discounts may be applicable to your policy. -
Q. Should I keep a copy of my MA Automobile policy in my vehicle?
A. If you are traveling with your vehicle out of state, or in Canada, we do recommend that you keep a copy of your Insurance Policy with you. -
Q. I just sold my car, how do I cancel the insurance on it?
A. It is necessary to return the plates to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and forward the receipt to us. -
Q. I just replaced my car, how long do I have to go to registry?
A. Owners have up to seven calendar days to process the change in registration. The seven days begin on the date you transfer ownership or lose possession of the old vehicle. The new vehicle must be of the same type and have the same number of wheels. -
Q. I am going on vacation, and will be renting a car. Do I need the rental company’s insurance?
A. Your Massachusetts Automobile policy covers you in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, only. There is no coverage for out of the country. If you have Collision, this will cover Physical Damage to the rental car, subject to your policy conditions and deductible. If you have Comprehensive, this will cover the rental car, subject to your policy conditions and deductible. -
Q. What about coverage under my credit card?
A. Your credit card company can provide additional protection. Please check with them directly. Also, please inquire about limitations. -
Q. Does my homeowners policy cover me while I am on vacation?
A. The contents coverage of your homeowners policy covers your contents worldwide. -
Q. My child just got a learners permit. What do I have to do and when do I have to list them on my auto policy?
A. A child does not need to be listed on the auto policy until they receive their Massachusetts license. When the child receives his/her license we will need their name, date of birth, license number, and a copy of their Drivers Education Certificate. -
Q. My child is going to college, do I need apartment insurance for him/her?
A. If the child is living in a dormitory, 10% of your contents limit will automatically extend to cover this location. If the child is living in an apartment, you will need to obtain apartment insurance for this location. -
Q. What are the new Junior Operator Law Provisions?
- Hold learner’s permit for six months with a clean record before license exam.
- Driver education required for all junior operators (under 18)
- Additional 12 hours of driving supervised by parent, guardian or designee over 21
- Operation with permit must be with a licensed person over 21
- Under 18 year old passenger restriction during the first 6 months – no passengers except immediate family unless accompanied by a licensed operator who is 21 or older who has had at least one year driving experience and who is occupying the seat beside the driver.
- 12:00am to 5:00am curfew
- No commercial driver license for persons under 18.
- Conviction of speeding or drag racing will result in loss of license (in addition to any suspension by court) for a period of 180 days for second offense and one year for third or subsequent offenses.
- Suspension of junior operator license for a period of 6 months for purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol.
- Suspension of junior operator license for a period of one year for any alcohol-related offense or 6 months if the operator enters an alcohol education program.
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Q. Am I eligible for a low mileage discount?
A. If you drive less than 7500 miles a year, you are eligible for a 5% discount. If you drive less than 5000 miles a year, you are eligible for a 10% discount. -
Q. How Soon Should I Call You To Let You Know That My Son/Daughter Got Their License?
A. You must notify us within 60 days if a household member, who will operate your auto, becomes a licensed operator. -
Q. Do I have Flood Coverage on my homeowner’s policy?
A. Flood damage is never covered under a homeowner’s policy. You may purchase a flood policy at an additional premium. -
Q. Why do I need a Pre-Insurance Inspection?
A. Insurance companies want to verify the information on the car they are insuring. Note any previous damage to avoid filing false/duplicate claims. -
Q. Where do I have this Pre-Inspection done?
A. Please call CARCO at 1-888-242-1200 or CHOICE-POINT at 1-888-828-7377 for a list of convenient locations. Please contact us to find out which pre-inspection site is authorized by your insurance carrier.
Claims Questions
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Q. What do I do in the event of an auto accident?
A. Exchange information. Call us to verify coverage and procedure with your carrier. -
Q. When do I have to report my accident to the insurance company and/or police?
A. All losses should be reported to the insurance company, even if there is no damage. An accident has to be reported to the police and the Registry of Motor Vehicles if the damage exceeds $1,000 or there are injuries.FORM: Motor Vehicle Crash Report
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Q. What do I do if I have a broken windshield?
A. Call us to verify coverage. Broken glass is covered under Comprehensive coverage. Once you have verified coverage, visit a glass company to have the windshield repaired, making sure the glass company will bill the insurance company directly. -
Q. What do I do if my personal property is stolen?
A. Contact the police and file a report. Secure and protect your remaining property. Contact your carrier to file a loss report. Compile a list of missing items including description, date, location and cost of purchase (locate any receipts you may have). -
Q. What do I do if I have a fire or a pipe bursts?
A. Secure and protect your remaining property and make any emergency/temporary repairs • Take pictures of the damage and contact your carrier to file a loss report. -
Q. Does my son/daughter have coverage on their belongings while away at college?
A. The coverage is 10% of your limit of liability for Coverage C (Personal Property), or $1,000, whichever is greater, on your homeowner’s policy. If you have$50,000 for Coverage C then the coverage would be $5,000.
Automobile Pre-Inspections
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Q. What is the purpose of this inspection?
A. Your state requires this inspection for the protection of you and of your insurance company. The inspection is designed to document the existence of the vehicle, its physical condition and existing options and accessories. The ultimate goal of vehicle pre-insurance inspection is to help reduce the cost of automobile physical damage insurance coverage (collision and comprehensive) by accurately documenting your vehicle, and greatly reducing the possibility of fraudulent claims. -
Q. What will happen if I fail to have this inspection performed?
A. There is a regulation in states with mandatory inspection laws that requires vehicles subject to pre-insurance inspection to be completed within a grace period, which differs by state (listed below). If you do not comply within the allotted time, your physical damage coverage (comprehensive and collision) will be suspended at 12:01 AM on the day after the end of the grace period (10 calendar days in Massachusetts). -
Q. Where should I take my vehicle to be inspected?
A. CARCO has an extensive network of inspection sites strategically located throughout New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Florida. You may choose any site that is convenient within your state. You can also have an inspection performed at a site outside of your state provided that you notify the inspector to note on the inspection form which state the inspection is for, along with insurance company information. Click here for a list of Massachusetts inspection sites. You can also call 1-888-242-1200. -
Q. What documents are needed for presentation to the inspection site?
A. Please bring any document that was provided to you by your broker or insurance company, which lists your insurance company’s name, your policy number (if known) and a description of your vehicle. Your insurance company name (and broker if you have one) is most important! The document provided to you should be presented to the inspector for mailing to CARCO, along with your completed inspection report. These documents are used in processing your inspection report. However, if no documentation was provided by your broker or insurance company, you may still have your inspection completed. Just be sure to provide your insurance company information to the inspector. -
Q. What will take place during this inspection?
A. The CARCO inspector will complete a state-mandated inspection report form, noting the general condition of your vehicle, options, accessories, vehicle identification number (VIN), odometer reading, and other required information. The inspector will also take photographs of your vehicle. You will then review and sign the inspection report. At the completion of the inspection, you will be provided with a copy of the official report, which should be retained for your personal records, or provided to your broker if it’s requested. The original inspection report, with photos, will be processed by CARCO and forwarded to your insurance company. -
Q. Is there a fee for the inspection and how long will it take?
A. There is no charge to you for the inspection, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, including the report and photographs. -
Q. Who can I call for additional service information regarding the pre-insurance inspection process?
A. If you have any questions, need additional information or encounter any difficulty, please feel free to call 1-800-969-2272 (option 4) or email inspections@carcogroup.com.
General Questions
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Q. I moved, what should I do?
A. Contact us with your new address. In addition, you will also need to contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles to change your driver’s license and vehicle registrations. You can do this online at the RMV website, or contact us–we can send you a form that you can mail to the RMV. -
Q. When I rent a vehicle while on vacation, do I need to purchase insurance from the rental company?
A. Your MA automobile policy does follow you in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico & Canada as long as your vehicle is left at home and not driven while you are traveling or on vacation. However, we do recommend you purchase the coverage for the following reasons:- The Collision and Comprehensive deductibles on your own policy apply unless you purchase the rental company coverage which will waive your deductible.
- In the event of an accident your MA Automobile Policy does not cover “loss of use” of the rental vehicle while it is being repaired.
- If you do not carry collision and comprehensive coverage.
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Q. Do I need towing if I have AAA?
A. The basic AAA membership only allows a certain number of miles per tow. Your MA Automobile policy offers two limits of coverage: $50 per disablement at a cost of $8.00 annually, and $100 per disablement at a cost of $16.00 annually. Please note this coverage is a reimbursement–not an actual towing service like AAA. -
Q. I no longer want my Social Security number on my MA driver’s license, how do I change it?
A. Visit the RMV website’s Replace My Driver’s License page. The registry will send you a replacement license with a state assigned “S” number. -
Q. What do I do with my automobile registration renewal form?
A. Sign the back. • Check bottom left of card for fee. • Check to see if “Insurance Stamp Needed” – If needed please mail to the Flynn Insurance Agency. • Mail to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. • You can now renew by phone or on-line with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. -
Q. I lost my registration, how do I obtain a duplicate?
A. Obtain a duplicate online or in-person at the RMV. -
Q. What is the value of my car?
A. You can determine the value of your car online at www.nada.org or www.kbb.com. -
Q. What does replacement coverage on my home mean?
A. This coverage provides the funds you will need to repair or replace your home at today’s prices for materials and labor. -
Q. What is an Umbrella Policy?
A. An Umbrella policy increases the Bodily injury Liability and Property Damage Liability insurance over and above your present limits (subject to underwriting approval) on you present: automobile, homeowner, boat or rental property policies. -
Q. How soon should I call you to let you know that my son/daughter got their license?
A.You must notify us within 60 days, if a household member, who will operate you vehicle, becomes a licensed operator. -
Q. I was in an accident and was found at fault but I don’t agree that it was my fault. How do I go about appealing the surcharge?
A. You will receive a surcharge notice in the mail. Follow the instructions on the back of the notice. The board of Appeal, located at the Division of Insurance, will hold the hearing and will notify you, the Merit Rating Board, and your company of its decision. If surcharge points are applied to your premium for an at fault accident while your appeal is pending, you must pay the additional premium or your policy will be cancelled. Should the Board of Appeals find that you were not more than 50% at fault, the Merit Rating Board will remove the incident from your driving history record, and you company will adjust your policy accordingly.
