Rich Schferren: I live in Massachusetts and was surcharged for an auto insurance accident ? I drive a Toyota. How do I get a low auto insurance rate if I compare auto insurance quotes?

Save $ Compare auto insurance
Response : You will definetly save $$ once you learn the why, how and when to compare auto insurance quotes. However,here is some great news for you. In case you were driving one of the Toyota which has been recalled than you can appeal against the surcharge. This is because the fault lies in the vehicle and you were not at fault.

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance will expand the appeal process for some drivers of Toyota vehicles who received an at-fault determination from their insurance company after an accident, and thus received a surcharge. The consumer alert issued by the insurance department said the decision was made in light of the recent recall of certain Toyota models due to unintended acceleration. At-fault appeals will be allowed if an owner of a Toyota received a recall notice and was involved in an accident, or if an owner has already appealed his or her at-fault determination and lost. A request for a re-hearing or initial appeal must be filed within 60 days from the notice of the recall or the date of the consumer alert, issued Jan. 29.

You will have to prove the vehicle involved in the accident is one of the models recalled by Toyota and that the accident was related to acceleration problems in the recall notice, the insurance department said. A $50 fee is required if an appeal has not been previously filed.

This is because Toyota said Jan. 21 it was recalling about 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific models. Several days later, Toyota suspended the sales of eight models. The Massachusetts DOI said the recall also covers several Lexus models and the Pontiac Vibe.

The top five writers of private passenger auto insurance in Massachusetts last year, according to BestLink, which provides online access to A.M. Best’s Global Insurance & Banking Database, were: Commerce Group, with a 31% market share; Safety Group, with 11.1%; Arbella Insurance Group, with 9.3%; Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., with 8.5%; and MetLife Auto & Home Group, with 6.5%.

Thus my advice to you or any of your friends who drives a Toyota and was surcharged if in an accident last year in a model that has been recalled, compare auto insurance quotes afterwards., first file your appeal and reduce your surcharge on the auto insurance.

Happy motoring

Stephen : Auto insurance is very expensive now, especially when I have lost my job. What would happen if one would not buy auto insurance.
Response : This year the Insurance Research Council reported that one in six drivers in the U.S. may be driving uninsured by 2010 due to a continuing economic downturn. . There are 3 compelling reasons to avoid the temptation of skipping your auto insurance coverage namely :
1. Driving without car insurance is a crime
Yes, it is a crime in all states to drive without car insurance coverage. No driver can be certain that he will avoid an accident. You might think you can get away without it, but you can’t be sure. On top of that, your odds of being in an accident with an uninsured driver are substantial.
2. Your auto insurance rates will increase when you reinstate your policy
Remember, most states have laws requiring you to show proof of insurance. Many states make it a practice to stop drivers unexpectedly just to inspect if the driver has proof of car insurance. And if you cannot furnish proof of auto insurance coverage, you will be required to mail in proof of insurance showing you were covered on the day you were inspected.
If you think car insurance coverage is expensive now, just try getting it after being caught without insurance. You’ll be in a new high risk category, and you’ll be expected to pay a lot even though you’re not a bad driver.
For those who choose to drive without insurance, they could lose any assets they own if they hit someone and get taken to court. Letting your coverage lapse can result in having to pay an initial 25% to 50% surcharge for a new policy. Because they consider such drivers irresponsible, Insurance companies charge more upon policy reinstatement.
3. You very well may incur stiff penalties.
Penalties for failing to maintain car insurance can range from a fine, to a suspended license, to jail time. If you get caught, your car or license plates could be impounded until you can pay the fine. Then, you have to pay another fee to reinstate your registration

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