MA RMV Low Number Plate Lottery

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) recently announced that applications for the 2023 Low Number Plate Lottery will be accepted beginning on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.

Applying for a Low Number Plate

From the myRMV Online Service Center, scroll down to the “Plates” section on the left side, and select the “Apply for Plate Lottery” button.
- Applicants must apply by Thursday, August 31, 2023, 5:00 p.m. and, if selected for a low number plate, the winner will be notified after the drawing takes place which will be no later than September 15, 2023.
- There is no fee to apply to the lottery. However, winning applicants are responsible for standard license plates and registration fees.

This year, there are 191 plates available through the low plate lottery including plate numbers: 1999, 1100, 4004, and 4400.

Lottery Rules and Eligibility Requirements

Only one entry per applicant will be accepted, regardless of the number of active registrations the applicant has.
An applicant must be a Massachusetts resident with a currently active, registered, and insured passenger vehicle.
Companies/corporations may not apply.
MassDOT (Registry of Motor Vehicles, Highway, Mass Transit, and Aeronautics) employees, including contract employees, and their immediate family members are not eligible. (“Immediate family member” refers to one’s parents, spouse, children, and brothers & sisters.)
Requests for specific plate numbers will not be honored. Eligible applicants will be considered for all plates listed. Plates will be awarded in the order in which they are listed on Mass.Gov/RMV.
An applicant’s registration and license cannot be in a non-renewal, suspended, or revoked status at the time of entry, the time of the drawing, or the time of the plate swap. As such, an applicant must not have any outstanding excise taxes, parking tickets, child support, warrants, or unpaid E-Z Pass/Pay by Plate violations.
Online entries will be accepted only and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Lottery results will be available on the RMV website: Mass.Gov/RMV. By law, lottery winners must be announced by Friday, September 15, 2023.
All winners will be notified by mail with instructions on how to transfer their current registration to their new lottery plate. Winners will have until Friday, December 29, 2023, to swap their plates.
Unclaimed plates will be forfeited and awarded to alternate winners after Friday, December 29, 2023.
Plates will be registered to the winning applicant only. All plates remain the property of the RMV even after registration.
All information received, including names of all applicants and the list of winners, is subject to release in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

Note

Customers are encouraged to visit the RMV’s website or follow @MassRMV on Twitter for upcoming details on the virtual low plate drawing.
A link to the lottery event will be made available leading up to the lottery. In addition, applicants will be sent a notification via email.
The lottery results will be posted on the RMV’s website.

Stay Connected!

For the latest RMV updates and information, including for the Low Plate Lottery, follow the RMV on Twitter @MassRMV.

For the latest MassDOT news and information, including RMV updates, follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT, Facebook, and Instagram.

Cyber Coverage

Cyber Liability Coverage: with an estimated cyber-attack occurring every 19 seconds, your business requires a robust cyber insurance policy to keep you safe and able to recover from cyber incidents.

Cyber Liability Coverage

Security Breach Expense
Security Breach Liability
Restoration of Electronic Data
Extortion Threats
Public Relations Expense
Computer and Funds Transfer
Business Income & Extra Expense
Social Engineering
Ransom Payments
Hardware Replacement Costs
Telecommunications Fraud
Post Brach Remediation Coverage

Standalone cyber insurance coverage is not as expensive as you may think. Give us a call to talk about what we can offer to help protect your business from cyber threats.

Happy 4th of July to your family!

Along with our freedom comes peace, happiness, and prosperity. Wishing you the best and countless blessings on this wonderful holiday.

Johnson & Rohan Insurance is closed on Monday, July 3rd – Tuesday, July 4th. We will re-open on Wednesday July 5th.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
We are closed on Saturdays during the months of July & August.

As always, we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by appointment!

If you are reporting a claim during off hours you can do so directly, have your policy number ready and call or click:

Travelers: 1-800-252-4633
Safety Insurance: 800-951-2100
Vermont Mutual: 1-800-435-0397
Mass Property: 1-800-392-6108
Progressive Insurance: 1-800-274-4499
Bristol-West: 1-800-272-7865
Swyfft Insurance: 1-877-799-3389
Hagerty Insurance: 1-877-922-9701
Utica First Insurance: 1-800-456-2139
MAPFRE/Commerce: 1-866-351-2548
Grundy Insurance: 866-338-4006

Did You Know? Safety Insurance Discount Program

Safety Insurance Discount Program

Safety Insurance offers a 5% discount program if you complete In Control’s crash prevention course. If insured with Safety Insurance, they will also subsidize the cost of the course, instead of it costing $350, you can take the course for $75.00.

In Control has been measured to reduce crashes by 70% compared to new drivers who only attend traditional driver education

The training methodology originally derived through European research, has been tested over 15 years by In Control leading major insurers to offer our graduates significant auto policy discounts and organizations like the Boston Police Department to utilize our expertise in training officers.

Specifically, the training addresses the driving issues that most affect the safety of drivers while on the road. The inclusion of skills was developed after examining insurance and police data to find the most dangerous activities, and assessing the biggest needs.

All of the training is performed in our vehicles, and each hands-on drill is taught in the car one-on-one with one of In Control’s highly qualified instructors.

More info: https://www.driveincontrol.org/safetyinsurance

The Safety Insurance discount program applies every year you remain with Safety Insurance.

Call Johnson & Rohan Insurance if you would like to discuss further.

Term Life Insurance Rating Factors

Term Life Insurance Rating Factors. Rates are all over the place. Low rates, high rates, it all depends on different term life insurance factors:

Age – Let’s face it. It’s not easy getting old. The younger you are, the longer you’re going to live AND the less expensive life insurance is.

Health History – Do you have a history of disease or chronic illness?

Current Health – Are you in good current health? Are you taking medications?

Physical Condition – Are you heavy or lean? Do you excercise?

Smoker – Smokers can still get life insurance policies but the cost is significantly higher.

Drinking –Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours
prior to the exam (can increase fat in blood and liver functions). Drink a glass of water one hour prior to the exam.

(For Additional Life Insurance Exam Tips checkout our: Tips by clicking here.)

Occupation – Are you a professional stuntman?Are you a race car driver?

Hobbies – Do you skydive or bungee jump? Are you a member of Fight-Club?

Family History – Are your parents and sibling still alive? Is there a history of family illness or disease?

Gender – Life isn’t always fair. Women live longer than men AND pay less for life insurance.

So, there we have it folks, our Term Life Insurance Rating Factors.

It’s good to be young, healthy, work in an office, and play board games with your great grandparents!

If you’re looking for rates, try our site: MassQuotes.com where you can compare term life insurance rates at no cost from top-rated companies in seconds.

Junior Operator Law

My 2nd son recently received his driver’s license. It’s an exciting time for him and an expensive and scary time for my wife and I. Operating a motor vehicle is serious business and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a strict Junior Operator Law for new drivers.

As a refresher course:

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 restriction or the night restriction, you will be subject to a license suspension of 60 days 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 under 18 when you have committed certain driving offenses and alcohol 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.

Call or click us at Johnson & Rohan Insurance if you would like more information on Massachusetts insurance or the Massachusetts Junior Operator Law.

The Massachusetts Lemon Law

When life gives you a lemon …

To qualify for the MA Lemon Aid Law, your vehicle must fail an official Mass safety and emissions inspection within seven days of purchase.

Next, you must get a written estimate for the cost for the inspection-related repairs. If the repair estimate is for more than 10% of the purchase price of the vehicle, you can get a full refund from the seller (private party or dealer).

To get a refund you must return the vehicle to the seller within 14 days of purchase with a signed statement by the inspector of why the vehicle failed, a copy of the estimate and a letter telling the seller that you want to cancel the sale.

For more information, visit the Consumer Affairs website at https://www.mass.gov/topics/lemon-laws or call (617) 727-7780.

Snow Shoveling Tips

snow shoveling tips

We were hoping we were done with winter blog posts but New England weather is not quite done with us. So, we offer our snow shoveling tips:

The Basics

Snow shoveling can be compared to weight lifting, and in some cases, the aerobic aspect of this activity is similar to a workout on a treadmill! To help your body function on demand, consider the following tips:

Be heart smart! Don’t eat or smoke before shoveling snow. Avoid caffeinated beverages. These are stimulants and may increase heart rate and cause blood vessels to constrict.
If you experience pain of any kind, stop immediately and seek assistance.
Pace yourself during shoveling activities. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Snow shoveling is strenuous work, and it is important to re-hydrate your body often.
If the ground is icy or slick, spread sand or salt over the area to help create foot traction. Be aware that some areas may be uneven and could cause you to slip, trip, or fall.

Dress for Success!

Consider the weather when choosing outerwear. Dress in layers. Wear clothing that is easy to move in.
Wear a hat—a great deal of body heat is lost through the head.
If it’s icy cold, consider breathing through a scarf, but don’t let it obstruct your view.
Proper boots are essential for keeping feet warm and dry while appropriate soles provide traction. Good boots can help you maintain your balance!
Choose gloves that will keep your hands warm, dry, and blister free—consider thicker gloves, which allow for a good grip on the shovel’s handle.

Select a Shovel that’s Right for You

Shovels are made from different materials and come in many shapes and sizes.

Choose a shovel that is ergonomically correct—a shovel with a curved handle. Many hardware stores and home centers stock ergonomically designed snow shovels. These shovels help you to keep your back straighter reducing spinal stress.
Consider a shovel with a plastic blade instead of metal—plastic is lightweight—isn’t the snow heavy enough?
Sometimes a smaller blade is better. You will not be able to shovel as much snow per shovel load, but the load will weigh less, which puts less strain on the spine.
Get a shovel made to push snow. It is far easier to push snow than to lift it. There are shovels made expressly for pushing snow. See what is available at your hardware or home center store.

Once you have your shovel, you might want to consider spraying a bit of silicon lubricant on the blade. This can help keep the snow from sticking to the shovel. The snow will slide off the shovel blade.

Technique. Technique. Technique.

Warm muscles work better. So take some time to stretch to prepare your body for activity.
Just like with a golf club, hand placement on the shovel handle is very important! Don’t put your hands (grip) close to one another. Create some distance between the hands. This will give you more leverage and make it easier to lift snow.
Think about good posture and maintaining the natural curve of your spine.
Address your task directly. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart to maintain balance. Try to keep the shovel close to your body. Bend at the knees—not the waist or back. Tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the snow. Lift with your legs—not your back. Do not twist your body. Dump the snow in front of you. If you need to move the snow to the side, move your feet—do not twist!According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “If you must lift the snow, lift it properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Lift with your legs. Do not bend at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it. Holding a shovelful of snow with your arms outstretched puts too much weight on your spine. Never remove deep snow all at once; do it piecemeal. Shovel an inch or two; then take another inch off. Rest and repeat if necessary.”
Don’t throw snow over your shoulder! Go forward with the snow.
Fresh snow is lighter in weight—so clear snow as soon as it has fallen. Snow becomes dense as it compacts on the ground. Wet snow is very heavy. One shovelful can weigh 20 pounds or more!
Pace yourself. Take frequent breaks to stretch your back and extremities.

Snowblowers
A snowblower is a terrific piece of machinery, but if it’s not used correctly, you can strain or injure your back. Snowblowers are designed to remove snow at a particular rate of speed. Pushing or forcing the equipment to go faster is defeating its purpose—to do the work for you!

Community Involvement
Not everyone is able to shovel snow or operate a snowblower. Consider the disabled and some in the senior population. Fortunately, many communities across the US have organized volunteers to help people who need assistance during the winter season.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Prevent Frozen Pipes. Old Man Winter has arrived and so have the dreaded: Frozen Pipe Claims!

According to The Insurance Journal: “weather incidents account for more than half of all homeowners insurance claims, with wind, pipes freezing and bursting, roof and flashing leaks and ice dams among the major causes of home damage during weather events.”

On extremely cold days, take the following precautions to help prevent freezing pipes and resulting water damage:

To Help Prevent The Big Freeze/ Prevent Frozen Pipes:

Maintain higher than normal temperatures (70 degrees +).
Turn on your faucets and let the water trickle constantly.
Open cabinet doors under the sinks. This will allow the heat to warm the pipes.
Insulate pipes. Insulation goes a long way toward preventing freeze ups.
Your exterior faucets used for your garden hoses should be shut off from inside your basement and left open (even if you have freeze-proof sill cocks).

Contact Johnson & Rohan Insurance with any questions or if you would like to discuss tips to prevent frozen pipes.

Storm Safety Tips to Protect Your Boat

storm-safety-tips-to-protect-your-boat

Nothing can be more frightening to a boat owner than to hear that a hurricane warning has been issued for the area where your boat is located. Being prepared can limit uncertainty and reduce damage.

Here are some tips to help protect your boat prior to the storm’s arrival.

If possible, haul the vessel from the water on its own trailer or in collaboration with your marina.
If you are unable to check the vessel, have a plan in place to ensure that the vessel can be secured.
If the boat remains in the water, remove as much boating gear as possible including electronics and important documents.
Double up all lines and check that the lines are long enough to accommodate the expected storm surge. Add chafe gear and extra fenders to prevent damage.
If the boat is staying on its mooring, add chafe gear to the anchor rode and if feasible, add additional anchors in a three point position.
Reduce wind damage by removing sails, dodgers, dinghies, bridge enclosures and eisenglass.
Disconnect shore power cords, water supply hoses and close off any propane or other valves.
If possible & prudent, navigate the vessel inland to a secure location away from possible storm surge damage and from boats that could break away from their mooring or slip.
Secure and lock all hatches and port lights. Double check for leaks and seal as necessary if a leak is found.
Secure all loose gear and any item that may clog scuppers and deck drains.
When in doubt “Haul her out.”
Never stay aboard during the storm.
If the vessel sustains damage from a storm, report the claim in a timely fashion!