A 25% premium discount for all coverages will be applied after all other discounts and rating factors but prior to the application of the Safe Driver Insurance Plan rating step if: 1) the principal operator is 65 years or older; 2) there are no inexperienced drivers (0-6 years of driving experience); and 3) the automobile is not customarily used in business.

Passive Restraint

A 25% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 2, 3, 6 and 12 is available if your automobile is equipped with an air bag or automatic seat belts.
Annual Mileage

A 10% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 1-8 and Part 12 is available if your verified annual mileage falls between 0- 5000 miles. A 5% discount off of the premium paid for Parts 1-8 and Part 12 is available if your verified annual mileage falls between 5001-7500 miles.

Antiques are not eligible for this discount.

Anti-Theft

Anti-theft discounts of up to 35% of the premium paid for Part 9 are available for automobiles with various types of qualifying anti-theft devices. Your insurance company or agent can provide you with a list of the qualifying anti-theft devices and the corresponding discounts available.

Multiple Cars

A 5% discount applied to the premium paid for compulsory coverages (Parts 1,2 & 4) and, if selected, optional coverages (Parts 5,7,8 & 9) is available if: 1) an individual or married couple own two or more automobiles insured by the same company; and 2) there are no inexperienced operators. The discount applies only to automobiles that: 1) have no listed inexperienced operators; and 2) are not customarily used in business.

Antiques are not eligible for this discount.
Driver's Education

A 10% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 is available for the first 3 years after an inexperienced driver has completed an approved training course.

Public Transit

A 10% public transit discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 4 and 7 (up to a maximum of $75 per eligible vehicle) is available if: 1) you provide your insurer with evidence of purchase of 11 months of commuter passes from qualified transit systems; and 2) you do not drive your automobile to work or school more than 10 days or more per month. Your insurance company or agent can provide you with a list of the qualified transit systems.

Rate Deviations

Many insurance companies have been offering discounts to their existing policyholders by filing requests with the Commissioner of Insurance to "deviate" from the basic insurance rate. These discounts have been offered primarily to the Commonwealth’s safer drivers, usually to those at SDIP steps nine through twelve.

Check with your agent to see if your insurance company has been approved to offer discounts to its safest drivers. If you are eligible for a group and a safe driver discount, you can take advantage of both!

Group Discounts

In recent years many insurers have been offering discounts to numerous groups to attract new customers. These discounts will decrease your entire insurance premium. In addition, many group plans do not charge interest or require an initial deposit.

Groups can be sponsored by an employer, civic organization, motor club, association, trade union, credit union, etc. You may want to check with agents of several different insurers to learn which groups the insurer has been approved to offer discounts to and the size of the discounts. Any member of an approved group is eligible for the discount.

Group plans are not guaranteed to be renewed or to be renewed at the current discount level. By law, groups may be continued if after two years of operation the group has 35% of its eligible members participating. If, however, after three years a group’s loss and expense ratio makes the group unprofitable it can not renew policies.

Help Prevent Fraud

Fill out the accident forms completely and accurately, making sure to get all necessary information from any other drivers and passengers. Keep a camera in your auto and take snapshots at the scene. Report the name and address of every person in the other autos, including those who were not apparently injured.

Be sure your body shop is registered with the Division of Standards (617) 727-3480.

If you suspect fraudulent conduct on the part of anyone involved in your motor vehicle accident or your insurance claim - the other operators or any passengers, the repair shop, the appraiser, or any employee of the insurer - please call the Insurance Fraud Bureau hotline 1-800-32-FRAUD. Another number to remember is the Governor’s Auto Theft Strike Force Hotline 1-800-HOT-AUTO when you have information about an auto theft. You will be able to speak confidentially with an investigator about your suspicions.

Remember that this guide is not meant to be a substitute for your Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Policy. All information is current as of December 13, 1999.

The Use of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Parts in the Repair of Your Vehicle

OEM Parts Without Additional Charge to Owner

You are entitled to the use of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts in the repair of your vehicle under any of the following circumstances:
Your vehicle has been driven for no more than 15,000 miles.
The operational safety of the vehicle would otherwise be impaired or
After reasonable and diligent effort, an appropriate rebuilt, aftermarket or used part cannot be located.

OEM Parts With Out of Pocket Charge to Owner

If you do not meet any of the criteria listed above, you can always require your auto repairer to use OEM parts, but you must pay for the increased cost that may result in repairing your vehicle.

New Optional Endorsement

Some insurers may offer for payment of additional premium an endorsement that will cover the amount necessary to replace any damaged "crash part" which cannot be repaired, with an OEM part on any auto to which the endorsement applies. Contact your agent or insurance company to see if they offer this endorsement.
A crash part is defined as a motor vehicle part of sheet metal or plastic that constitutes the visible exterior of the vehicle, including inner and outer panels. Coverage for glass or mechanical parts is excluded.

NOTICE

Whenever repairs are to be made to a vehicle using parts not made by the OEM, state law requires that notice must be given by the appraiser and the repairer to the owner prior to repairs being made.

Source Massachusetts Division of Insurance.