In the state of Massachusetts, auto insurance rates depend on a variety of factors. One very important factor is your driving record. A point system is used. Understanding the MA auto insurance point system will help you understand the impact that certain incidents can have on your MA auto insurance rates. Below is a helpful overview.
Points and Surcharges
Points are given for accidents and certain driving violations. These are referred to as “surchargeable events.” If you have a completely clean driving record, then you have no points. The number of points on your record depends on the severity of the violation. Points remain on your record for a certain number of years, again, depending on severity.
Types of Surchargeable Events
The Massachusetts DNV classifies surchargeable incidents into 4 different categories:
- Major Traffic Violations
- Major At-fault Accidents
- Minor At-fault Accidents
- Minor Traffic Violations
Basically, when it comes to accidents, minor accidents are assigned fewer points than major accidents. The same goes for traffic violations. Some violations are more serious than others and thus mandate a different number of penalty points.
MA Auto Insurance Rates
Insurance companies will always review your driving record and points before quoting a premium. The number of points, type of offense, and frequency of incidents are all factored in. Insurance companies use this, along with other personal information, to determine your level of risk and likelihood of filing a claim. Therefore, the more incidents and points on your record, the higher your insurance premium will be. In fact, MA auto insurance companies may even deny you coverage if you are considered too high a risk.
More on the MA Auto Insurance Point System
What does this all mean for Massachusetts drivers? First and foremost, when you sign up for a MA auto insurance policy, the rates will remain the same for the policy period (i.e. 6 months or 1 year). Any points that you receive will impact your insurance premiums when your policy is up for renewal. Since any “new” points will likely increase your rates, avoiding getting points to begin with is extremely important. Drive conscientiously knowing that a speeding ticket will cost you more than just the price of the ticket itself. Your resulting penalty “point” and higher auto insurance premium will make that speeding incident much more painful to your wallet. Drive safe, avoid points, and save money!