The MA Attorney General’s office has settled with 15 MA auto insurance companies regarding insurance companies overcharging consumers by using undepreciated motorcycle values to calculate insurance premiums.  The settlements require companies to collectively return nearly $40 million to thousands of MA motorcycle insurance policy owners. 

If you were insured with any of the following companies:

• American Automobile Insurance (aka Fireman’s Fund)
• Arbella
• Electric Insurance 
• Hanover 
• Liberty Mutual 
• Metropolitan 
• NGM Insurance
• Norfolk & Dedham
• OneBeacon (aka Mass. Homeland)
• Plymouth Rock
• Pilgrim Insurance
• Premier (aka Travelers)
• Quincy Mutual
• Safety Insurance
• USAA

To look up your refund please visit:  Attorney General’s Motorcycle Insurance Refund Lookup Website.

http://www.motorcycle.ago.state.ma.us

Please note: you will need your motorcycle insurance policy number(s) in order to use this website.

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.

At small fender bender times, it’s a common request: “Let’s not get the insurance companies involved.”

But is it a good idea?

Our general rule of thumb is: No. Report the claim to the insurance companies and let them handle it. That’s why you have the insurance.

Many times, the person suggesting he pay out of pocket, in an attempt to avoid a MA state insurance surcharge, doesn’t realize the amount of actual damage. Often times people will go the body shop, get the estimate, and rather than there being $300 the damage is $1,000. The person that did the hitting, aghast, will then ask to go through insurance.

Another thing to keep in mind with Massachusetts insurance surcharges: if the insurance company (-ies) pay out less than $500, then there is no surcharge.

If you have any questions, either before or after an accident happens … call Johnson & Rohan Insurance at 781-224-0909. We’re here to help.

Hard to believe this Friday, September 23rd is the first day of autumn.

Here at the office, we’re putting the finishing touches on our Fall 2011 newsletter.

So, hold onto your hats, or check your mailbox, or let us know if you would like us to advance e-mail you a copy.

Some pre-edited topics include:

The Value of Your Independent Agent

Discount Program Review

Accident Forgiveness & Disappearing Deductible

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Protection

Did you know?

We’re on facebook!

Two of the new, widely asked-about products offered by some auto insurance companies in Massachusetts are:

Accident Forgiveness – For a fee, some auto insurance companies in MA will include an ”Accident Forgiveness” endorsement. So, if you get in a future at-fault auto accident, your auto insurance company will not apply a surcharge to your policy renewal. Some companies require you to be a “99” driver in order to qualify.

Disappearing Deductible – For a fee, some MA auto insurance companies offer a “Disappearing Deductible” program. This endorsement usually credits your Collision deductible – $100 for each year you go at-fault accident free; up to a maximum -$500 credit. Some companies require you to be a “99” or “98” driver to qualify.

Both auto insurance endorsements can save MA drivers money if in a future, at-fault accident.

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

Johnson & Rohan Insurance has a facebook page, you can visit us at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Johnson-Rohan-Insurance/111057822247795

If you “like” us, you will find updates and the latest MA insurance & office news & notes.

Thank you for insuring with us!

Hurricane Irene brought destruction to Massachusetts and left many without electricity. Estimated damages from high winds and torrential rain range between $3 billion to $6 billion.

She also brought renewed debate over Hurricane vs Wind deductibles.

For the residents of Massachusetts, Hurricane Irene had become Tropical Storm Irene before making landfall, raising the question of whether the hurricane deductible or wind deductible should be applied.

Claimants will find there’s a big difference between, say, a hurricane deductible of 5% of the coverage A, Dwelling, amount and a flat $1,000 deductible if not a hurricane.

Do you know what kind of deductibles you carry?

Finding out at claim time is not the ideal time.

As Hurricane Irene approaches Massachusetts, our office is getting alot of calls asking: Do I Have Coverage?

The quick answer is, if you have home insurance, yes you have Hurricane Coverage.

The question then becomes:  What is your deductible?

Some coastal homes have special (not so special) Hurricane or Wind deductibles. Usually between 1% –  5% of the Coverage A, Dwelling, amount.

As Hurricane Irene approaches our area, following please find suggestions from our partner company, The Travelers in regard to steps you can take to stay safe:

• Create a disaster plan. Plan an evacuation route in advance and determine where you would go if you were told to evacuate.
• Prepare a survival kit. Stock up on drinking water, non-perishable goods, a first-aid kit and medicine for everyone including your pet. Include extra clothing, blankets, batteries, flashlights and a portable radio.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt and make your home as safe as possible. Secure all outdoor objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture. Close storm shutters and board up all windows.
• Review how to shut off utilities in an emergency with all family members.
• Locate important papers and documents and have them ready to take with you should you need to evacuate. Protect documents in plastic storage bags if you’re remaining in your home.
• Make sure you have insurance policies with claim contact information, an inventory of your home’s contents and cash.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your family contact. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long-distance than to make a local call.
• Finally, leave promptly when ordered to evacuate. Leaving too late or not leaving at all only endangers yourself and others.