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Jan 20th
You may have seen the TV commercials touting accident forgiveness. At Beacon Insurance we offer accident forgiveness coverage on Safety and Plymouth Rock auto insurance policies. How does this work? Can anyone get it?
You never have accidents, but one day you rear end another vehicle at a red light. Your merit rating points go from 99 (no accidents or moving violations in 6 or more years) to 04 – one major accident (claim payment of at least $2,000 in excess of the deductible) or 03 (claim payment between $500 and $2,000). You lose your 17% excellent driver plus discount, and each point could increase your premium 15% on insurance policy parts 1, 2, 4, and 7. Your record will reflect this accident for up to 6 years. OUCH!
With the accident forgiveness endorsement, your insurer ignores this accident. So, assuming you don’t have other accidents or moving violations, upon renewal your premium is rated as if you still had a merit rating step 99. So, what’s the catch?
Although insurers are free to define the terms, with Safety and Plymouth Rock, the driver needs to be a step 99 and purchase the accident forgiveness endorsement prior to the accident. If other listed drivers on the policy aren’t step 99 and are at fault, accident forgiveness won’t reduce the renewal premium for their accident.
Keep in mind that the insurer does not remove the accident from your merit rating record. Rather, they do not include that accident in the calculation of your premium. If you change insurers, you will probably be surcharged for that accident.
Bottom line, accident forgiveness is not a gimmick, but it’s not a panacea either!
Call us to see if accident forgiveness works for you.
Aug 6th
Eventually, most of us will be in an auto accident. Hopefully, there won’t be serious bodily injury. (To limit your injury always wear a seat belt!) In any case, it’s good to review what to do before an accident occurs.
1. Stop immediately, but do not obstruct traffic.
2. Assist the injured. Call 911.
3. Secure names, phone numbers, and addresses of other drivers, passengers, witnesses, and any injured persons.
4. Obtain make, model, license numbers of all cars involved. To be most accurate, exchange licenses and registrations. The owner and insured could be different than the driver. Also, get the other vehicle’s insurance company from the registration or insurance card.
5. Make a rough drawing of the scene, showing position of cars, street names and other details. You may want to use your camera phone to record damage to vehicles.
6. Note any police citations and if available, get police motor vehicle crash exchange forms.
7. Don’t hastily accept claim settlements at the scene of the accident.
8. Remain calm, courteous and consistent in your version of the accident.
9. Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible, and where necessary, complete a Massachusetts RMV Accident Report Form.
Here’s an accident information form you can print out and keep in your glove box. To find further instructions from the RMV, click here.
To learn more about reporting a claim, getting an Accident Report Form or the status of your claim, use the claims page our web site.
We’re here to help you get the situation corrected as quickly and completely as possible.
May 2nd
Beacon agents Jordan Hegedus and Bob Gromelski recently attended the In Control Advanced Driver Training course in North Andover. The half-day course is designed to simulate actual driving situations that require emergency braking and avoidance maneuvers. Per Bob Gromelski, “I was impressed! Our instructors were experienced race-car drivers. The hands on training will help me avoid situations that could result in a serious crash. New drivers, in particular, should find the course both instructive and fun!”
Safety auto insurance clients pay only $75 per attendee – up to 75% below the normal $299 cost. Upon successful completion, a a graduate or Safety policy holder family member is eligible to join the Safe Roads Alliance for $20 and receive a 5% Safety auto insurance group discount (complete documentation required prior to start of policy term and not available with other group discounts). To learn more visit: www.WeDriveInControl.com/SafetyInsurance
Apr 2nd
MetLife and its mascot Snoopy is one of the most recognized insurers. Per Beacon Vice President Jordan Hegedus, “Beacon is proud to announce our agency’s appointment to represent MetLife’s Massachusetts auto insurance plans. MetLife Auto will provide our clients with a financially strong, national insurer, quality claims handling, and competitive rates.” MetLife auto policies include no charge extras such as ID Theft Protection, and Special Loss Settlement Coverage. This latter endorsement provides replacement cost without depreciation for tires, brakes, batteries and shocks. It also expands first year total loss on vehicles with under 15,000 miles to full replacement cost less the deductible (excludes leases). As impressive, is MetLife Auto’s array of payment options including one-time and recurring debit and credit card payment, and the ExpressIT EFT payment plan with a 5% premium discount! Call us for a quote.
Feb 6th
Beginning April 1, Massachusetts drivers will experience a competitive auto insurance market comparable to other states. Over the next few months, expect auto insurer advertising to reach levels of car company sales or presidential candidates! Safety Insurance has received state approval for some very competitive discounts. They expect that over 87% of all drivers will see a rate decrease of up to 25% from their 2007 rates. There will be new credits for renewing your Safety policy. For new drivers Safety has good student, and student away at school discounts. For SDIP steps 99 and 98 the credits will be larger and for SDIP steps 1,2 and 3 the surcharges will be lower. Safety will also broaden coverage with the Safety Shield endorsement. It broadens 8 coverage parts including a waiver of the $500 deductible for step 98 and 99 listed operators – even if he or she is at fault! Check out our web site for more information on the changes and how to save on your auto insurance.
