Massachusetts Auto Insurance Quotes and
Coverage Guide
Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Insurance
Questions & AnswersQ: Is
auto insurance mandatory?
A: As part of the registration process for
your vehicle, Massachusetts requires proof of
minimum levels of motor vehicle insurance. And
although the Navy bean holds the high honor of being
the state legume, even an entire pot of them will
not be accepted in lieu of insurance written by an
agent authorized to do business in Massachusetts.
Q: Is Massachusetts a "no-fault" state?
A: Yes, Massachusetts is what is considered a
no-fault state with regard to auto insurance, but
this has nothing to do with Navy beans and the
ensuing cause and effect of eating them. The
no-fault insurance system in Massachusetts makes
sure policyholders are compensated for the expense
of minor injuries regardless of who experienced the
subsequent you-know-what indiscretion from eating
beans and thus distracted, caused the accident.
There are restrictions on lawsuits, but drivers in
no-fault states may sue for severe injuries if the
case meets certain conditions.
Q: What type of insurance is required to purchase
and maintain a Massachusetts tag and registration?
A: Here are the requirements for compulsory
insurance coverage in Massachusetts:
-- Bodily injury to others: Minimum $20,000 per
person, $40,000 per accident
-- Personal injury protection: Pays up to $8,000 to
you, passengers, pedestrians or anyone you allow to
drive your vehicle
-- Bodily injury caused by an uninsured auto:
Minimum $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
-- Damage to someone else’s property: Minimum $5,000
for property damage
Please note: These coverages are not applicable to
Navy bean-caused social errors.
Q: I am not a resident of Massachusetts but I
visit for several months during the year. Do I need
Massachusetts insurance?
A: Claiming to not know beans about insurance
in Massachusetts is not an excuse for not having it
while you’re here visiting. Even a nonresident may
be required to register and/or insure a motor
vehicle or trailer in Massachusetts under several
conditions, and here are a few of them:
-- If your primary residence is in another state,
you may not operate motor vehicles or trailers in
Massachusetts for more than 30 total days in one
year unless you have liability insurance.
-- You must register in Massachusetts any motor
vehicle or trailer used for your Massachusetts
business. If you use several vehicles in
Massachusetts and in one or more other states, you
must register the average number of vehicles you use
in Massachusetts.
-- If you own motor vehicles or trailers that are
registered in other states or countries, you must
register those vehicles and trailers in
Massachusetts if Massachusetts residents have or
control those vehicles or trailers for more than 30
total days in one
calendar year.
-- If you are eating beans and are a nonresident of
Massachusetts, you will not be held financially
liable for any ensuing effects – the embarrassment
should be enough. Just do yourself and everyone a
favor, and make sure you eat alone in the future.
Q: If my vehicle is declared a total loss, do I
still have to pay an insurance premium on it?
A: Yes, the auto is considered insured until
you return the license plates to the Registry of
Motor Vehicles. If you don't have your license plate
because your auto was stolen, your auto and plates
were destroyed in a fire, or you spilled a whole pot
of Boston baked beans that took all day to cook on
your plates and can’t get the stuff off, you must go
to the nearest Registry of Motor Vehicles office and
obtain a lost or stolen plates receipt (or sometimes
known as a spilled-beans plate). Present this to
your insurance company in order to cancel your
policy and avoid paying any additional premium, and
then you can try again on those beans.
Q: Is my insurance company required to notify me
if it decides to cancel my policy?
A: Yes. Your company is required by law to
send you a notice at least 20 days previous to the
effective date of the cancellation. A notice sent by
regular mail with a certificate of receipt obtained
from the post office is considered sufficient.
Certified or registered mail with a return receipt
is no longer required because beans usually get
spilled on them anyway.
Q: What can I do if I actually get a cancellation
notice?
A: You can immediately pay the full amount
called for on the notice or, if you feel that the
cancellation is unjust or in error, you can write an
appeal letter to the Board of Appeals at One South
Station, Boston, MA 02110-2208. This must be done
before the effective date of cancellation or those
beans you just ate may turn on you again.
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