Frequently Asked Questions

• Commercial Insurance
• What factors require that I obtain a commercial license plate?
  
• I am a sole proprietor operating a small business. Occasionally, I hire someone to help me. This may be less than 15 hours per week. Why do I have to purchase Workers' Compensation insurance?
  
• Personal Insurance
• How do I cancel my Automobile Policy?
  
• When do I have to add my child as a driver on my Automobile Policy?
  
• Can my child take one of my cars to college?
  
• I live in an apartment - do I need any type of policy?
  
• The sales price of my house is less than my homeowner policy limit. Why?
  
• Claims
• Why do I have to use aftermarket parts on my vehicle when it is involved in an accident?
  
• Do I have to get three estimates when I am involved in an automobile accident?
  
• Do I have to report a minor accident to the police department?
  

Commercial Insurance

Question: What factors require that I obtain a commercial license plate?
Answer: The Registry of Motor Vehicles controls the answer to this question. There are three possible reasons the Registry requires a commercial plate on your truck: 1) the gross vehicle weight of your truck is 10,000 pounds or more; 2) your vehicle has a business sign on the side or the back of the cab (this includes magnetic signs); or 3) you are using this vehicle for delivering merchandise.

Question: I am a sole proprietor operating a small business. Occasionally, I hire someone to help me. This may be less than 15 hours per week. Why do I have to purchase Workers' Compensation insurance?
Answer: As soon as you hire an employee, even for just one hour a week, the Workers' Compensation laws require that you obtain insurance that would provide benefits for that employee in the event he or she is injured. Remember…Workers' Compensation coverage is provided to an employee who is injured on the job without the employer having to be proven negligent. If the employee walks in the door of the jobsite, slips and falls, and becomes injured, all medical bills and lost time benefits are automatically afforded to the employee. Your Workers' Compensation premiums are determined based on the type of work your employees do and your annual estimated payroll. After this coverage has been in place for 18 months, your Workers' Compensation premiums will reflect either a credit or debit based on your claims history. This encourages employers to take preventative measures for safety in the workplace.


Personal Insurance
Question: How do I cancel my Automobile Policy?
Answer: If you have switched your policy to another agency in Massachusetts, the new agent must send your previous agent the state-required Form 2A. If you are selling your vehicle or moving out of state, the license plates must be returned to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. The Registry will provide you with a plate return receipt which you must give to your agent.

Question: When do I have to add my child as a driver on my Automobile Policy?
Answer: There is automatic coverage while driving under a permit, but drivers need to be added to the policy the day they obtain their actual license.

Question: Can my child take one of my cars to college?
Answer: Yes, but you must contact your agent, since the location where the car will be garaged must be indicated in your policy.

Question: I live in an apartment - do I need any type of policy?
Answer: Yes. A Tenant's or Renter's policy should be purchased to cover your personal belongings and to provide critical personal liability protection.

Question: The sales price of my house is less than my homeowner policy limit. Why?
Answer: The sales price reflects current market values. However, the Homeowner policy should reflect the current replacement cost (labor and material costs) should you have to rebuild your home due to a loss.


Claims
Question: Why do I have to use aftermarket parts on my vehicle when it is involved in an accident?
Answer: Massachusetts law states aftermarket parts can be used on vehicles that are one year or older with 15,000 miles.

Question: Do I have to get three estimates when I am involved in an automobile accident?
Answer: That is no longer necessary since the company assigns a licensed automobile appraiser to inspect your vehicle. The appraiser then sends you a copy of the appraisal in the mail and you can bring this to a repair shop of your choice.

Question: Do I have to report a minor accident to the police department?
Answer: You have to report all accidents that involve injuries or have over $1,000 in damage. The nearest police department can provide you with an operator's report.