Don’t Let Your Inspection Sticker Lapse!

Perhaps the cruelest and most frustrating of all surcharge points on the MA personal auto policy is the one for an expired inspection sticker …

Perhaps the cruelest and most frustrating of all surcharge points on the MA personal auto policy is the one for an ”expired inspection sticker.”

A ticket for an expired vehicle inspection sticker is the equivalent, in auto insurance surcharge points, to a moving violation.

According to the MA Department of Insurance:

Surcharge points are incurred if you:

  • cause an at-fault accident
  • are convicted of or pay a fine for a traffic law violation
  • are assigned to an alcohol education program

An expired inspection sticker is considered “pay(ing) a fine for a traffic law violation.”

A $40 ticket results in increased insurance costs for 6 years! About 20% increase the first three years, diminshing the following three .

So remember:  Check your MA Inspection Sticker & don’t let it lapse!

Home Insurance Savings Tips

Following please find some measures that can be taken to lessen the possibility of home insurance losses which will ensure greater insurability and more affordable premiums down the road …

Following please find some measures that can be taken to lessen the possibility of home insurance losses which will ensure greater insurability and more affordable premiums down the road.

Some ideas to help reduce losses and save premium dollars:

  • Replace washing machine hoses when they show signs of deterioration. Consider replaceing them with stainless steel hoses. Hoses should not rub against the wall. In addition, turn off the washing machine water faucet when the appliance is not in use to help prevent leaks.
  • If you suffer a water leak, make sure it is properly repaired and promptly remediated. This will reduce the possibility of hazardous and expensive mold losses down the road. Mold or rot is typically excluded, or extremely limited on the standard home insurance policy.
  • Consider installing an automatic water shut-off system for your home. These systems have sensors that detect water leaks. Sensors send a wireless signal that interacets with the shut-off valve to turn off the water to the home.
  • Maintain your roof. A qualifty roof inspection on a periodic basis can identify sections that need repair or replacement which help prevent water losses.  

Term Life Insurance

It makes sense to protect what you value. You insure your car, your home, and your valuables. What about you and your family? Without life insurance, you leave your family open to risk.

It makes sense to protect what you value. You insure your car, your home, and your valuables. What about you and your family? Without life insurance, you leave your family open to risk. If you have a policy in place perhaps you should think about replacing or adding another. You should review your life insurance every time a major change happens in your life – a marriage, birth of a child, purchase of a house, or starting a business. Fortunately, life insurance can be surprisingly easy and affordable. It’s cliché but “life insurance isn’t for the people who die. It’s for the people who live.” We have the most competitive markets for life insurance in the state including rates from SBLI and Banner Life along with many other companies. Please give us a call if you would like to get rates or discuss.

Rate & re-rate …

Johnson & Rohan Insurance spends an inordinate amount of time rating and re-rating our clients auto & home insurance.

We find that insurance companies, over time, increase coverage, decrease discount programs and premiums — as a result — go up and up and up.

Johnson & Rohan Insurance spends an inordinate amount of time rating and re-rating our clients auto & home insurance.

We find that insurance companies, over time, increase coverage, decrease discount programs and premiums — as a result — go up and up and up.

Prior to us sending out our clients’ renewals, we rate and re-rate auto & home insurance.

Although time consuming, we find the best way to keep our clients is by pro-actively shopping renewals, making coverage and carrier suggestions, and by offering different companies if there is a lower premium available.

If you are wondering if you are getting the lowest available premium, please stop by, call or click us today!

Thank you for insuring with us.

Advanced Driver Training

 

The number one killer of teens is automobile accidents.

Johnson & Rohan Insurance promotes safe driving and recommends In Control Advanced Driver Training.

Many companies offer an Advanced Driver Training discount, one company in particular (Safety Insurance) supplements the cost of the class. Instead of paying the standard rate of $299, Safety Insurance clients pay only $75.

In addition, clients receive a 5% discount on their auto insurance (Safe Roads Alliance).

In Control is a non-profit organization filed as a 501(c)(3) and offers the nation’s first state certified crash prevention training to drivers of all ages. This closed course, hands-on education was adapted from existing law enforcement training in the United States as well as European instruction that led to a societal shift in attitudes toward driving in many countries.  

In Control has trained nearly 25,000 students and receives endless praise from graduates, parents, schools, police departments, insurance companies, legislators and community groups all over New England.   Most graduates enjoy insurance discounts and the peace of mind knowing that they have been trained for emergency situations.  Third party research has found a 70% reduction in crashes for new driver graduates of our training and similar results for experienced drivers trained through our commercial programs.

While focused on training New England drivers of all ages, In Control has traveled the United States providing training, consulting and products to keep people safe from the most dangerous thing we do.

Call, click, or stop by to find out more about Advanced Driver Training and other Massachusetts auto insurance discount programs

Spring Newsletter …

Did you receive your Spring Newsletter from us?

Articles include: Insurance Coverage & Discount Program Review; Home Insurance Basics, Accident Forgiveness & the Accident At-fault Appeal Process.

If you did not get your newsletter in the mail from us, don’t worry … it will soon be archived in the newsletter section of our website!

In addition, here’s a sneak peak…

Did you receive your Spring Newsletter from us?

Articles include: Insurance Coverage & Discount Program Review; Home Insurance Basics, Accident Forgiveness & the Accident At-fault Appeal Process.

If you did not get your newsletter in the mail from us, don’t worry … it will soon be archived in the newsletter section of our website!

In addition, here’s a sneak peak:

Insurance Coverage …

It is important to understand your insurance coverage.

Each year at renewal time, visit, phone, or exchange e-mails with us. We are here to help.

Become an engaged insurance consumer!

Some questions to ask us:

  • Do we carry adequate liability limits? Limits should equal, at least, your net worth.
  • Should we carry Umbrella coverage?
  • What is the value of our vehicle? If the value is low, should we still carry collision coverage?
  • If our car loan is paid off, should we remove the lienholder on our policy?
  • Are we getting all available discounts?

Call us for your annual insurance review, explanation of coverage, and discount double-check.

Beware of Lottery Scams!

If you have to send $250 to claim your prize, odss are: It’s a Scam!

This is how it works: You receive online or regular mail notice that you’ve just won a foreign lottery.

Sounds too good to be true? You’re right.

Odds are: it’s a scam.

It happens like this … someone calls, emails, or regular mails you. All you need to do is mail or wire a small amount for taxes and fees to claim your prize.

Just hang up the phone or ignore the email.

Never wire or send money to anyone, anywhere, who says you’ve won a prize.

NO LEGITIMATE LOTTERY SHOULD ASK YOU FOR MONEY TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE.

Fatigue increases accidents

Driving while drowsy is a dangerous combination.

The dangers of drinking and driving are obvious to most people. Many don’t place fatigued driving in the same risky category, however fatigue can seriously impair a driver’s judgment and reaction time.

Studies suggest that drivers who have been without sleep for more than 24 hours are as impaired as drivers who are legally intoxicated.*

*National Sleep Foundation, Drowsy Driving Prevention Resources, Key Messages and Talking Points.

Did We Mention Discount Programs?

When Johnson & Rohan Insurance signed you up, chances are we saved you money.

In addition we probably improved your coverage.

Our job, as your Independent Insurance Agent, is to shop your policies with different companies, make coverage recommendations, and to be here if you ever have a billing or claim question.

We re-rate renewals and often suggest coverage improvements or new discount programs.

Some of the traditional Massachusetts automobile insurance discounts:

Age 65 or Older – A 25% discount for all coverage items will be applied after all other discounts and rating factors, but prior to the application of the SDIP rating step.

Passive Restraint discount– A 25% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 2,3,6 and 12 is available if your auto is equipped with an air bag or automatic seat belts.

Annual Mileage discounts – A 10% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 1-8 and Part 12 is available if your estimated annual mileage falls between 0 and 5,000 miles. A 5% discount is available if your estimated annual mileage falls between 5,000 and 7,500 miles.

Anti-theft discounts – Up to 35% of the premium paid for Part 9 (Comprehensive) are available for automobiles with various types of qualifying anti-theft devices. Many glass companies offer complimentary “window etching” which will qualify you for a 15% anti-theft discount, in lieu of any other device.

Multi-Car discounts – Available if an individual or married couple own two or more autos insured by the same company and there are no inexperienced operators.

Driver’s Education discount – A 10% discount applied to the premium for Parts 1,2,4,5, and 7 is available for the first 3 years after an inexperienced driver has completed an approved training course.

Public Transit discount – A 10% public transit discount is applied to the premium paid for Parts 4 and 7 (up to a maximum of $75 per eligible vehicles). This discount is available if you provide your insurer with evidence of purchase of 11 months of commuter passes from qualified transit systems and if you do not drive your auto to work or school more than 10 days per month.

Additional Massachusetts auto insurance discounts may include:

  • Account discount on your auto if you have a home, apartment or condominium policy with the same company.
  • Excellent driver & excellent driver plus discounts (99 & 98 drivers).
  • Pay in full discounts.
  • Hybrid vehicle discount.
  • Advanced driver training discount.
  • Alumni & professional group discounts.
  • Good student discount (“B”or better).
  • Student away at school discount.
  • Multi-vehicle policy & multi-car discounts.

Call or click us for your insurance discount review!

24 / 7 Claim Reporting

Did you know Johnson & Rohan Insurance offers 24 – 7 claim reporting?

Claim reporting is available 24 hours per day/ 7 days per week. If you want to report a claim during off hours, have your policy number ready and call:

Premier/ Travelers:     1-877-425-2466

Safety Insurance:    1-866-906-5016

Vermont Mutual:      1-800-435-0397

MPIUA:      1-800-392-6108

You can also report online:

Auto Claim Commercial Claim
Home Claim Other Claim
Johnson & Rohan