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Massachusetts Vanity License Plates

Have you ever thought about getting Massachusetts Vanity License Plates? If so, you are not alone.

According to Mass.gov, the official website of Massachusetts, one of the most requested topics is: ordering vanity license plates.

By using the following Registry of Motor Vehicles search tool, you can check to see if the vanity plate you want is available:

http://www.massrmv.com/VanityPlateRequirements.aspx

Ordering Massachusetts Vanity license Plates

Massachusetts Vanity License Plates may be ordered in person.

In Person: Go to any full service Registry Branch and complete the Application for Vanity Plates Up to three plate requests can be made on one application. Payment must be made at the time of ordering.

Process: Within twelve to fourteen (12-14) weeks after your payment is received, you will receive a letter telling you the plates are ready and instructions on where to pick them up. The plates generally arrive at the branch within one week of the date of this letter.

To pick up your Massachusetts Vanity License Plates at the branch you will be required to:

Submit an RMV-3, stamped by your insurance company.
Surrender your old plate(s).
Pay a swap fee.

Vanity plates must be picked up within 90 days.

Call or click and we’ll be glad to assist you with the process!

Massachusetts Auto Excise Tax

The dreaded Massachusetts Auto Excise Tax.

I’ve been told “you couldn’t get away with that in Texas.” Here in Massachusetts, however, we suffer our annual auto excise tax.

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

The Massachusetts 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.

http://www.mass.gov/dor/local-officials/municipal-finance-law/frequently-asked-questions-motor-vehicle-excise.html#q55

For what reasons may I get an abatement of a motor vehicle excise?

A taxpayer may file an abatement application and receive an abatement for any of the following reasons:

Sale of the vehicle and cancellation of the registration or the trade of the subject vehicle for another;
Transfer of the registrant and the vehicle to another state with proof of registration in that state and cancellation of the Massachusetts registration;
Overvaluation of the vehicle;
Subsequent registration of the same vehicle in the same year by the same person (e.g., vehicle is later registered with a Vanity Plate).
Theft of the vehicle, if the local police authorities are notified within 48 hours of the discovery of the theft and the certificate of registration is surrendered not less than thirty days after the theft and the registrant has received a certificate of cancellation of registration signed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or his authorized agent verifying that the subject vehicle was stolen.

Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Excise Abatement Application

MA Excise Abatement Form

Massachusetts Junior Operator Law

Understand the Massachusetts Junior Operator Law

Getting a Massachusetts driver’s license is an exciting, and sometimes scary, event for the new driver and the new driver’s family. In order to preserve your license and keep auto insurance rates somewhat reasonable, make sure your know the rules of the Massachusetts Junior Operator Law!

Operating a motor vehicle is serious business and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a strict Junior Operator Law for new drivers. As way of refresher course:

Massachusetts Junior Operator Law

Any motor vehicle operator or motorcyclist between the ages of 16 1/2 and 18 is considered a Junior Operator. The Junior Operator Law has several requirements and restrictions that significantly affect the operation of a motor vehicle by a person who has a Junior Operator’s License (JOL). The basic purpose of the law is to provide new drivers supervised opportunities in which to develop good driving skills, while keeping those drivers free of the possible distractions caused by friends under age 18 who are present while the drivers are behind the wheel.Following, from the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles Driver’s Manual, we offer Massachusetts Junior Operator License Restrictions:

You may not operate a motor vehicle within the first six months after receiving your JOL while any person under age 18 is in the vehicle (other than you or an immediate family member), unless you are accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, holds a valid driver’s license form Massachusetts or another state and is occupying a seat beside you.

General Rule: The passenger restriction that applies to the Junior Operator (Under age 18) is lifted once the Junior Operator completes the six-month period or you reach age 18, whichever occurs first.The six-month passenger restriction period will stop running, temporarily, during any suspension. When your JOL is reinstated, you will still have to complete the remainder of the six-month restriction period that existed at the beginning of the suspension period, unless you have already turned 18.

As the holder of a Junior Operator License (JOL), you may not operate a motor vehicle between 12:30 a.m and 5:00 a.m. unless you are accompanied by one of your parents or your legal guardian. If you are found operating a motor vehicle in violation of this restriction, you may be charged with operating a motor vehicle without being licensed. This is a criminal violation.
If you violate the passenger restiction or the night restriction, you will be subject to a license suspension of 60 dyas for a first offense, 180 days for a second offense, and one year for subsequent offenses. For a second or subsequent offense, you will also be required to complete a Driver Attitudinal Retraining course. The law requires the Registrar to impose this suspension in addition to any other penalty, fine, suspension, revocation, or requirement that may be imposed in connection with a violation committed at the time you were violating the passenger or night restriction.
You may not operate a motor vehicle that requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
You will be suspended for one year if you are udner 18 when you have committed certain driving offenses and alcolhol or drugs were involved (180 days if age 18 to 21), in addition to any penalty assessed by a court or other law.
You will be ineligible for a full license until you have completed the period of suspension imposed while operating with a JOL and you reach age 18.
You will face additional suspension periods of one year for a first drag racing offense and three years for a subsequent offense, you will be suspended for one year.

In conclusion, follow the rules and drive safe. You’ll keep your license and see your auto insurance rates go down.

Bailment waiver of collision deductible

As reported on our MassAutoQuote.com site:

On your Massachusetts auto insurance policy, a “bailment” situation occurs when the operator borrows a vehicle temporarily from the owner and is responsible for returning the vehicle in the same condition as when it was borrowed. Otherwise, a claim for damages exists against the operator.

A “valid” bailment situation allows 100% recovery of physical damage payments against the other party’s insurance company in instances where the operator of your vehicle may have been primarily at fault.

In order for bailment to apply 4 conditions must be present:

the operator of your vehicle cannot be the owner and must have permission to use it.
the owner cannot be an occupant of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
the owner cannot benefit from the operator’s use of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
at least 1% negligence must be proven against the other party involved in the accident.

If all of these conditions apply, both the owner and the operator of the vehicle will need to complete a “Bailment Affidavit” which we will send to you. This signed document will be presented as evidence that a valid bailment exists and full recovery of all physical damage claim payments is warranted.

Do I need to buy insurance from rental car company?

Buy insurance from rental car company? It depends.

Do I need to buy insurance from rental car company while on vacation?

It’s a common and great question. The answer is: it depends.

The following is an actual, e-mail our Agency received this afternoon.

(The names and e-mail addresses have been changed to protect the innocent.)

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: Rental Car Insurance Question
From: MA AUTO INSURANCE CLIENT

Date: Tue, February 14, 2017 12:59 pm
To: JohnsonandRohan.com

Dear Johnson & Rohan Insurance,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m heading to Florida with the family and renting a van. The car rental companies are always trying to get me to purchase additional insurance. I always decline thinking that my current auto insurance will cover me . Is that true?

Thanks in advance,

Longtime Client

Need to buy insurance from rental car company?

Dear Longtime, Massachusetts Auto Insurance Client,

Yes, your Massachusetts personal auto coverage will apply to the rental vehicle and you can turn down their additional coverage offers.

However, this is as long as:

you’re renting a private passenger-type vehicle (vs. moving van)

vehicle is being used as “substitute transportation” (ie – on vacation)

vehicle is being used for for pleasure (vs. business)

Your MA personal auto coverage applies to rental vehicle including $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident liability limits. Damage to rental vehicle subject to policy deductibles.

So, again, you can turn down on their additional coverage offers and pay their base, per-day rate.

The only thing your auto policy won’t cover is: loss of rental expense (days of lost rental for repairs to the rental vehicle). Most credit cards, however, include this loss of rental expense.

(FYI- Coverage does not apply outside of US, Canada and US territories and possessions.)

Please call or e-mail with any questions or to discuss.

Thank you,

Johnson & Rohan Insurance

Term Life Insurance: Best Gift Money Can Buy

Term Life Insurance is the Best Gift Money Can Buy

MassQuotes suggests, if you have dependents, Term Life Insurance: Best Gift Money Can Buy.

How much term life insurance? As much as you can afford.

“Term Life Insurance might be the most generous, least selfish gift a person can leave their surviving loved ones. In other words: it’s the best gift money can buy.

Life Insurance can be a great solution for financial responsibilities such as: family protection, consumer debt, dependent care, education, funeral costs and mortgages.”

For a young, healthy couple starting a family, rates are surprisingly low.

27 year old man, non-smoker, with good family medical history can secure a $500,000 face value, 10 year term policy for as little as $17.37 per month ($208.44 annual).

27 year old female, non-smoker, with good family medical history can secure a $500,000 face value, 10 year term policy for as little as $13.33 per month ($159.96 annual).

Term Life Insurance offers the biggest bang (face value) for the buck. For loved ones left behind, Term Life Insurance: Best Gift Money Can Buy.

Term Life Insurance

“Life insurance is for the living.”

As an insurance agent, when I hear someone has passed away, I almost immediately think: did he/she have life insurance?

For family protection, the most pure life insurance product is: term life insurance.

Term life insurance is defined as: (n) Life insurance that pays a benefit in the event of the death of the insured during a specified term.

Term life insurance offers the biggest face value for the lowest annual premium.

We’ve put together a website that allows consumers to compare term life rates, at no cost, with top-rated, most-competitive companies in seconds.

Utilizing technology and the buying power of the masses, we introduce a new, powerful online term life insurance tool: MassQuotes.

MassQuotes allows consumers to compare term life rates, at no cost, with top-rated, most-competitive companies in seconds.

MassQuotes has simplified the life insurance process. True, one stop shopping, educate (learn about different life insurance products), calculate (the amount of life insurance you need), rate (with numerous, top companies), compare (rates and different face values and terms),and apply (submit application request and you will be on your way)!

Drones and Insurance

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Love it or hate it, the future includes a lot more drones flying through our skies. The FAA projects that 2017 will be the turning point in the commercial adoption of drone technology. Among hobbyists and amateur drone operators, the future is now. Drones can be purchased on eBay or Amazon for under $50. So you or your child may soon be a drone owner. Here are some drone tips and suggestions for your drone and insurance:

For the drone owner, the prevailing source of insurance coverage is through your Homeowner or Renters policy.
The drone itself is Personal Property under your policy but subject to named perils and the deductible (often $500-$1000) is more than the value of the damaged drone.
Liability coverage to damage done by the drone depends on the circumstances of the accident- especially if negligence is involved. If others are injured or the property of others is damaged by the drone, coverage may be found under the liability coverage of your Homeowner, Renters or Umbrella policy.
Coverage for injury to the operator, the operator’s family or pets would have to be addressed through your medical insurance policy. If the drone falls from the air and damages an auto, coverage could be found under the comprehensive section of the owner’s auto policy (or if identified, more likely the drone operator’s Homeowners or Renters policy).
All drones over .55 pounds need to be registered through the Federal Aviation Agency. Here is the link to more FAA unmanned aircraft information FAA.gov, including registration. The cost starts at $5.00.
A new company, Verifly, offers on-demand insurance for enthusiasts and commercial drone operators at a cost of about $10 per hour.

Note that we at Johnson & Rohan see insurance for the business of drones, for both commercial and consumer enthusiasts as developing rapidly and evolving. We suggest giving us a call to review your particular coverage before your next drone launch.

Advocate: Your Independent Insurance Agent

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There are many ways to buy insurance. You can buy direct online or over the phone through a direct writer …

Or you can use an Independent Insurance Agency.

Your Independent Agent plays an important role in your family financial protection plan.

Your Agent will shop coverage with multiple companies to find you the best rates.

Your Agent reviews coverage to ensure you understand your limits and will offer you coverage options.

Maybe, however, the most important job of the Independent Insurance Agent is the role of advocate.

Webster Dictionary defines advocate as:

1: one that pleads the cause of another; specifically: one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court

2: one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal

3: one that supports or promotes the interests of another

At claim time, if you have a claim with a direct writer, you really don’t have anyone that’s your advocate.

Your Agent, on the other hand, is there to assist during a claim to ensure insurance companies treat you fairly.

Give Johnson & Rohan Insurance a click or a call.

We’re here for you.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Plowing But Were Afraid to Ask

snow-plow

It’s that time of year. Plows are breaking out in every community. Our phone rings and our client on the other end has questions about plowing and plates or plowing and insurance or both. So here’s the skinny: Massachusetts law is clear on the point that if you plow for hire, you need Commercial plates. Personal passenger plates are acceptable only if you plow your own driveway, or if say you plow a relatives driveway but do not get paid. Even still, a police office might write a ticket to a vehicle plowing with Private passenger plates- such a ticket would need to be appealed. Insurance and plowing is a little more complicated. Insurance carriers have different appetites for vehicles used for plowing. We work with some that will not write plows of any kind, others that will write only vehicles used for residential plowing and others that allow plowing without restriction. Please call if you plow and we can review your specific situation to ensure you have the right coverage and plates.