Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Massachusetts Mandatory Auto Insurance Laws
Posted by Cassandra in MassDriver.org, Uncategorized on January 4th, 2010
To first time drivers and auto owners the multiple insurance agencies, coverages, and state laws may seem a bit overwhelming. Starting with the very basics of auto insurance, it’s important to know that auto insurance is legally required in Massachusetts. While auto insurance may be legally mandated, the benefits an insurance policy in the event of an accident are so great you should want to purchase auto coverage.
What are sufficient limits? Massachusetts law mandates when operating a vehicle it has certain minimum insurance coverages. Taking a look at these coverages is a good start to understanding what amount of coverage you should purchase. The Massachusetts minimum coverages include:
- Bodily Injury Coverage: $20,000 per person & $40,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Liability: $$20,000 per person & $40,000 per accident
- Personal Injury Protection:$8,000 limit
However the minimum state coverages are rarely enough in the event of a serious accident. For example, if you’re involved in a head on collision, chances are the above coverages will not be enough for the entirety of the accident. If you are considering minimum state coverages please read the article: “Why You Need More Than the Minimums“.
When shopping for auto insurance the only way to guarantee you are getting the best price is to shop around. Many auto insurance companies offer discounts. Not all insurance companies will offer the same discounts, thus shopping around will help you find the company with the best discount combination. An easy way to do this without spending too much time shopping yourself is to utilize one of our friendly MassDrive agents. MassDrive helps you find the insurance carrier with the best fit for you, comparing quotes from multiple companies. Either way, comparing quotes may save you some serious cha-ching.
The Harsh Reality for College Graduates
Posted by Ryan in Uncategorized on December 30th, 2009
College graduates come out with hopes, aspirations and debt. That’s right, debt. College graduates are graduating college with an average of 3,262 in credit card debt. In addition to credit card debt, students are also graduating with student loans ranging from $10,000 to $52,000 or more. It is a common misconception that after graduation these debts will be easy to pay off. Graduates often believe they are going to start making the “real” money that will provide them with everything they need and then some.
The harsh reality is that once graduates factor in bills and expenses they are not left with much. Factors such as, health care, 401K deductions, income taxes, car payments, auto insurance, rent, utility bills, student loans, credit card bills and food expenses. These expenses can be financially crippling to graduates, forcing them to cut back as much as they can. Unfortunately, some graduates are looking at auto insurance as an unnecessary expense. In reality, it is far from unnecessary. Not only because it is illegal to drive without auto insurance in all 50 states but the risk one takes without coverage can prove to be detrimental to ones finances.
On the other hand, this doesn’t mean you can’t save on auto insurance. People all over the nation are overpaying on auto insurance, whether its because they have the wrong policy or the wrong carrier. Don’t make this mistake! MassDrive can help you compare policies and carriers until you find the right fit. Our agents would be happy to field any questions you may have free of charge. Insurance can be confusing, so let us help you!
Speeding Risks
Posted by Cassandra in Uncategorized on December 14th, 2009
Many of us leave the house late or underestimate the amount of time it takes to get from one place or another. When pressed for time driver feel anxious and rushed, and it shows. This anxiety to arrive on time causes many of us to speed, crossing our fingers a cop won’t be around the next corner. Truth of the matter is speed limits are posted and enforced for your safety and exceeding these limits is dangerous.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration speeding is a factor in 31% of all fatal crashes killing an average of 1,000 Americans each month. When the obviously dangerous outcomes of speeding are this evident it is important to remember these limits are enforced for a reason. Do what it takes to avoid speeding: plan ahead and give yourself a sufficient amount of time to travel, adjust your driving to road conditions, or check the traffic report on your local news website. Lastly, if you’re going to be late accept that you are going to be late. It’s better to apologize for arriving ten or twenty minutes late than hours after an accident, or not at all.
Don’t see a speed limit sign? When no speed limit is listed, Massachusetts Department of Transportation has determined a set of guideline speed limits to follow:
- 20 mph in a school zone
- 30 mph in a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/8 of a mile
- 40mph on an undivided highway outside of a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/4 of a mile
- 50 mph on a divided highway outside of a thickly settled or business district for a distance of 1/4 of a mile.
Following these guidelines should help keep you, and your auto insurance bill, out of trouble.
Swine Flu Shots in Massachusetts
Posted by Cassandra in Consumer Advocacy, Uncategorized on November 20th, 2009
Local health departments were directed to cancel scheduled swine flu vaccinations next month as shipments of the vaccination run weeks behind. A shortage of swine flu vaccines are seen not only in Massachusetts, but nation wide. Production facilities are unable to make adequate doses of the two flu vaccinations, the standard flu vaccination and the H1N1 vaccination. If you find a clinic offering this vaccine, plan on arriving early as it is likely hundreds of other people will stand in line with you.
Over 53% of those effected by the swine flue have been under the age of 25. Since April 1,768 cases of swine flu have been reported in Massachusetts. A total of 300,000 vaccines have been administered in Massachusetts to people with highest risk including pregnant women and young children. If you fall into a high risk group please keep checking for vaccine availability with your local clinic and physician.
Massachusetts to Recognize Veterans Day
Posted by Cassandra in Uncategorized on November 9th, 2009
Once known as Armistace Day, America celebrates Veterans Day every November in rememberance of the ceasefire that ended WWI. The end of combat was marked by an armistice, a truce or ceasefire, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918. Massachusetts will honor veterans this Wednesday with a variety of events. From celebrations at Galvin Middle School to a formal ceremony at the Massachusetts National Cemetery we will say a word of thanks to every veteran who served this country, putting their lives on hold for the freedom we enjoy today.
Massachusetts Runners in 2009 NY Marathon
Posted by Cassandra in Uncategorized on November 3rd, 2009
A grad total of 675 Massachusetts runners completed the 2009 ING New York City Marathon with 42,000 + athelets from around the world. Pete Rooney was the first Massachusettes man to finish with a time of 2:20:34, a personal best. The top Massachusetts woman to finish was Jamison Lower with a 3:03:33 time. Rooney and Lower have easily qualified for the 2010 Boston Marathon in April. The winner of the 2009 ING New York City Marathon was American Meb Keflezighi, the first American to win this marathon since 1982.
Keep Insurance Rates Low
Posted by Cassandra in Consumer Advocacy, MassDriver.org, Massachusetts RMV, Saving Money On Auto Insurance, Uncategorized on September 30th, 2009
Q: What’s the easiest way to keep low insurance rates?
A: With a clean drivers record.
Not only will you need to pay that speeding ticket, you’ll be paying for it the next couple years on your auto insurance. Insurance companies determine your rates in part by what kind of a driver you are. If you’re a safe driver with no citations, an insurance company sees you as a low risk to insure. If you’re a road-raging multi-major-accident driver, the insurance company may view you a little differently.
Massachusetts determines the magnitude of driving violations with surchargeable points. For example, a major accident will count more points than a 5 mile over speeding ticket. Take a look at how Massachusetts classifies your driving violations:
| Surchargeable Incident | Surcharge Points |
|---|---|
| Major Traffic Violation (i.e., D.U.I.) |
5 |
| Major At-Fault Accident (claim over $2,000) |
4 |
| Minor At-Fault Accident (claim over $500 to $2,000) |
3 |
| Minor Traffic Violation (i.e., speeding) |
2 |
Each citation adds more than just a few bucks on to your insurance. Avoid these hefty points with safe driving: allow extra traveling time, drive defensively, and buckle up. Your check book will thank you.
AAA expects a decline in travel over the 4th of July weekend
Posted by Ryan in Traveler's Insurance News, Uncategorized on July 1st, 2009
AAA released a statement saying that travel over the 4th of July holiday weekend will decline 1.9% this year due to the recession and high gasoline prices.
AAA reported to Bloomberg that the number of people traveling at least 50 miles away from their home will drop to 37.1 million from 37.8 million in 2008.
The nationwide average for gasoline has risen 65% this year. Even though gas prices have risen throughout the year, they still haven’t reached the record highs of last year. On July 17th, last year, gas was $4.114 per gallon. According to the data from AAA, this puts the gas prices of last year 34% higher.
James Cordier, portfolio manager at OptionSellers.com in Tampa, Florida had this to say:
“You have fewer people going to work now and a bunch of price-conscious consumers who are looking for vacations closer to home”
Bill Day, spokesman from the Valero Energy Corporation, which represents 1,000 retail locations, said that they are cautiously optimistic. The corporation is hoping lower gas prices from last year will encourage people to get out and drive.
12 Massachusetts dealerships shut down
Posted by Ryan in Uncategorized on July 1st, 2009
789 dealerships have lost their Chrysler LLC franchise. Among those, 12 of them have been in Massachusetts. The bankrupt auto maker was forced to pare off these dealerships from their network. This is all part of their government-backed reinvention plan.
Kathy Graham, a spokeswoman for Chrysler reported to the Boston Globe on the matter. “We have found homes for all the inventory. The company expects to start redistributing roughly 26,000 vehicles – about 60 percent of the 44,000 originally on the lots of dealerships losing their franchises. The rest have been sold by the dealers since the closings were announced last month. ”
The dealerships that were on the cutting block were able to liquidate their inventory by cutting prices or selling dealerships staying in business. Some dealers took $4,000 to $5,000 losses on some of their recent sales.
Some of the dealers are planning to take Chrysler to court. Billy Donley, a franchise law attorney with Baker Hostetler, said he “believes the bankruptcy ruling will trump the state laws that would be used to protect the dealer. ”
If that is the case, these dealers are out of luck. Some plan to transition into the used car market and others are hoping to survive because they sell more than one brand. For example, Pete Krause, who owns a dealership in Dudley, said his business will survive because it also sells Toyota’s.
Looking for a Place to Find Auto Insurance in Mass?
Posted by Eric in Massachusetts Auto Insurance Rates, Uncategorized on July 1st, 2009
Feel like your paying too much for car insurance? For younger or high risk drivers some feel that they are paying more towards their massachusetts car insurance that what their car is actually worth if it were to get totaled. For example if a car was valued at $2000 and the driver was paying $170 a month for full coverage, then in a calender year they would over pay by $40 the value of his or her car. There are plenty things that can lead up to a high monthly premium for a lesser valued car such as the driver having many traffic violations.
The key question asked at rentisky.com was “what’s a good website for comparing auto insurance rates in Massachusetts?”
A good place to find Massachusettes car insurance is massdrive.com, they are very helpful in obtaining an affordable quote.
