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!