Many Massachusetts auto insurance companies now offer “Accident Forgiveness.”

Some companies make you buy it, some companies make you earn it.

Some companies will only include Accident Forgiveness if you have a perfect driving record, some will include it if you’ve had up to one previous accident.

Another company will give it to you only if you have a perfect driving record AND you’ve been insured with them for four years.

What is Accident Forgiveness?

Accident Forgiveness does not erase accidents already on your driving record. Instead, if you have the endorsement on your policy they will forgive future at-fault accidents.

Are all insurance companies’ Accident Forgiveness program the same?

No. Each company offers the program only to certain drivers. New drivers, or new insurers, or those with multiple accidents may not qualify.

Consumers placed with a company through the M.A.I.P. program may not qualify either. Check with your agent or company to see if you qualify.

Does Accident Forgiveness make sense for you?

Sometimes the Accident Forgiveness program is bundled with the “Disappearing Deductible” endorsement. Sometimes it makes financial & coverage sense to include the endorsement and increase your collision deductible.

Contact us at Johnson & Rohan Insurance if you have any questions or concerns about your MA auto insurance policy.

We will be happy to show you different coverage and premium options.

Different auto insurance companies offer different discount programs. It’s important to know which company has the best discount program for you and your family.

Do you have anyone in your house that is newly licensed?

If so, different companies have different appetites (ie- better rates) for newly licensed drivers.

Is there anyone on the policy that is a full-time, good student (B or better average)?

If so, many companies have “good student” discounts.

Does your student go away to school?

If so, and if they leave their vehicle behind, there is an “away at school” discount that some MA auto insurance companies offer.

Do you own a home?

If so, there are terrific account discounts available.

Are you a safe driver?

Companies offer excellent safe driver (in MA, steps “99″ & “98″) discounts and “accident forgiveness”: programs.

Are you a member of AAA?

Some companies offer a AAA, or other roadside assistance program, discount.

Did you, or anyone rated on your policy, complete a Crash Control Prevention course?

Johnson & Rohan Insurance recommends taking a Crash Control Prevention course. If insured with Safety Insurance, they will even supplement the cost of the course.

& so are the new, 2012 Johnson & Rohan Spring Newsletters!

Articles include:

• Replacement Cost vs. ACV
• Money Saving Home Insurance Tips
• MA Automobile Excise Tax Explanation
• Personal Liability Umbrellas & Term Life Insurance

Look for your new, newsletter in your mailbox or online soon.

Also, Johnson & Rohan Insurance is on facebook. “Like Us” @: facebook

Everything you wanted to know about your auto insurance Substitute Transportation coverage, but forgot to ask until after your auto accident …

1. First question, always, is: “Do I have substitute transportation coverage?”
2. The next question is: “How much coverage do I have?”

• If you were not at fault in the accident & if the other party was at-fault & if they have insurance, then the other company is liable to put you in a rental vehicle whether you have Substitute Transportation Coverage on your policy or not.
• Substitute Transportation Coverage starts at $15 per day/ $450 total for appx. $12 annually.
• $30 per day/ $900 total costs appx. $52 annually.
• You can usually get in an economy-type rental vehicle for appx. $25 per day.
• If you rent a “substitute transportation” vehicle in the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories & possessions, your MA auto insurance coverage follows that rental vehicle. So, in other words, as long as your vehicle carries collision & comprehensive coverage (& adequate liability limits) then you do not need to purchase additional insurance from the rental car company.  

There are over 4.5 million dog bites each year. These dog bites account for almost 25% of annual homeowner insurance liability claims. If you are a dog owner who’s in the market for a homeowner insurance policy, you should know what you might be up against.

Certain breeds may exclude you from coverage in the voluntary market. These breeds include (but are not limited to): Akita, Cane Corso, Chow, Doberman, German Sheperd, Mastiff, Pit Bull, Ridgeback, Rottweiler, and Wolf Hybrid.

Any dog with a past history of biting will exclude the owner from voluntary market coverage.

Take 5 minutes every month to check your tires including:

Pressure:  Under inflation is a tire’s #1 enemy. Check your tire pressure. A tire can lose up to half of it’s air pressure and not appear to be flat!

Alignment:  Is your vehicle pulling to one side, or shaking? Have a tire dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure your car is property aligned.

Rotation:  You should rotate your tires approximately every 5,000 miles. Regularly rotating your vehicle’s tires will help you achieve more uniform wear.

Tread:  Measure & inspect it. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas.

The penny test: place a penny into a tire tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the proper amount of tread. if you can see all of his head, you should buy a new tire.

In an attempt to de-mystify the annual, pesky excise tax we offer the following excise tax information:

Excise bills are prepared by the RMV according to information on the registration. They are sent to city/town assessors who commit them to local tax collectors for distribution.

The excise tax rate is $25 per $1,000 of valuation (NADA) subject to the following percentage formula:

In the model year: 90%; second year: 60%; third year: 40%; fourth year: 25%; fifth year & beyond: 10%.

If you have turned in your plates on the vehicle you are getting excise taxed on, or if you have transferred plates and got rid of the vehicle, you may be eligible for abatement . Abatement instructions are located on your excise tax bill.

Johnson & Rohan Insurance represents you, our client, at claim time. We see our role as your advocate to ensure a friendly, quick, fair, and professional claim experience.

If you have a claim, call us immediately at:

781-224-0909 or 1-800-491-1414

Fax:  781-224-0546

Office hours:

Monday – Friday 9:00 – 5:00 pm

Saturdays 9:00 – 12:00 pm

We often work extended hours and are available 24/7 by appointment.

If you call our office during off hours our answering machine will provide your different companies 24/7 claim reporting telephone numbers.

Accidents and home insurance losses don’t always wait for office hours!

If you have a claim during off hours, have your policy number ready and call:

Travelers/ Premier:  1-877-425-2466

Vermont Mutual: 1-800-435-0397

Safety Insurance:  866-906-5016

MPIUA:  1-800-392-6108

You can also report a claim right here on our website: Johnson & Rohan Report A Claim

You can click, print, fill out and send us a: MA Motor Vehicle Operator Report

Did you know? At the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website (mass.gov/rmv) you can:

• Renew your license
• Order duplicates (license, registration, title)
• Renew your registration
• Cancel your plates
• Order a Special Plate
• Change your address
• Request a driving record
• Pay a citation
• Sign up for license renewal reminder service
• Enroll as an organ donor
• Request a crash report

Also, don’t forget, Johnson & Rohan Insurance offers daily, complimentary Registry of Motor Vehicles service for our clients.

Call or click us today!

Thank you for insuring with us.