Another MA Insurance sucks rant (SDIP changes)

[Greg (MA)]

Well, I'm sure most of you are aware of the new SDIP changes, where nearly everyone without 6 clean years of driving starts at 00 and works up from there.

I've only been licensed for 4 years now, 1 year in PA and 3 in MA. Prior to my accident in April, I was a step 12 for Motor Vehicles. Now they threw out all the old SDIP scores and started me at 00 again, OH WAIT, you had an accident, +4!

So, three years of clean driving down the drain (PA doesn't count towards the MA step) and now I'm at a 4 for a lowside when I really should be at a 1. Rates, up!

Fuck you MA insurance.

[mycirus]

I know, my insurance went up about 800 bucks. (3 cars) Totally blows. I was a step 14 and dropped to a step 7. I still dont get it. I used to get the step 9 discount on 2 of my cars cause my folks are listed as drivers. Not anymore. I hate this states Ins rules now. I thought it was fine before.

Bruce

[benVFR]

Huh.. the old way would have f*cked you for an accident too - it always took 6 years after an accident to regain perfect status.

I can't complain, my motorcycle insurance dropped over $400 with the new step system.

Under both the old and new system it really makes sense NOT to report a lowside that did not cause a lot of bodily injury or bike damage... better to keep it quiet and repair it yourself. But I guess that also requires a) No police report b) No lien on the bike.

[JeffL]

I've only gotten my statement for my motorcycle insurance, its its like $30 cheaper this year, I didnt know anything about the change in the SDIP setup.

Oh, I just looked it over, I'm a "1". That must be my one ticket from a few years ago that hasnt been wiped clean yet.

[ssg]

I thought SDIP surcharges were only allowed to be billed to one vehicle or one vehicle policy? My car was always the most expensive so they whacked me there (only).

Have to check into this more though...not sure of all the changes, sounds ugly tho.

[Greg (MA)]

Originally posted by benVFR

Under both the old and new system it really makes sense NOT to report a lowside that did not cause a lot of bodily injury or bike damage... better to keep it quiet and repair it yourself. But I guess that also requires a) No police report b) No lien on the bike.

Well, the lowside wasn't bad for me (I walked with a broken collarbone, leathers saved my skin) but the bike hit the curb and flipped, pretty much destroyed itself and was written off. Luckily, I paid cash for the bike so I got a decent check. Plus, I was in the middle of Rte 2 out in Western Mass so I couldn't really avoid police presence.

As for the new step, it's only showing up on my car insurance. And from what I understand with the new system, you cannot ever wipe 100% of these points away.

As an incentive to drive safely, the new SDIP will allow the “aging” of incidents. When a driver has three or fewer accidents or violations in the past five years, and the most recent accident or violation is more than three years old, the number of points for each accident or violation will be reduced by one. Accidents or violations may only be “aged” once.

If I remember correctly, after a few years, you could get back down to 9. Now, I don't think I can go lower than a 3.

[OreoGaborio]

i'm already up to an 8

and i have two separate policies, one for my car & one for my bike....

Where's Biggity to help explain this situation?

[JeffL]

MA insurance is fucking gay, theres really no disputing that.

[benVFR]

It's not SDIP anymore, it's something totally new, so you may not want to stress out about it as the numbers mean something totally different anyway.

I think the only thing that is really major is your MC and car history are now separate as far as I can tell.

I don't think I've gotten my new car policy yet unfortunately but I'm having a hard time believing it could have gone up.

I'd have to ask the insurance company but I read that "aging" stuff as just saying drivers with clean records will get penalized less for an accident then drivers with repeat accidents.

[mycirus]

Originally posted by benVFR

I think the only thing that is really major is your MC and car history are now separate as far as I can tell.

Can anyone verify this, if so I can get my car lowered.

[ssg]

Originally posted by benVFR

I think the only thing that is really major is your MC and car history are now separate as far as I can tell.

Mine always have been?

[rjh200]

He means years experience.

You can no longer count 10 years driving towards your motorcycle insurance as experience. Now if you have 10 years driving and 2 years riding you have 5 more years of riding before you get the insurance break.

[McBiggity]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
i'm already up to an 8

and i have two separate policies, one for my car & one for my bike....

Where's Biggity to help explain this situation?

Pete- it's even confusing to me.

[SVRACER01]

Originally posted by mycirus
Can anyone verify this, if so I can get my car lowered.

why would you want to lower your car? arent there a lot of potholes and stuff? and why would you insurance change if you did lower it?

[Cue Ball]

Originally posted by mycirus
I know, my insurance went up about 800 bucks. (3 cars) Totally blows. I was a step 14 and dropped to a step 7. I still dont get it. I used to get the step 9 discount on 2 of my cars cause my folks are listed as drivers. Not anymore. I hate this states Ins rules now. I thought it was fine before.

Bruce

Lowest step in Mass is a 9

[McBiggity]

now the lowest step is a 99, then a 98 is the next lowest. then goes to 00 all the way up to 45.
Makes complete sense.

[JeffL]

I'm lost.

[Greg (MA)]

Originally posted by SVRACER01
why would you want to lower your car? arent there a lot of potholes and stuff? and why would you insurance change if you did lower it?

I think he meant lower his car insurance?

[Hardcore]

here's the skinny:

everyone starts now at 0
your history goes back 6 years
major accident add 4
minor accident add 3
ticket add 2

for every single point you now have:
take 15% of your total policy cost + add it on to get your new total !
+ yes, do this for each + every vehicle you register!

exa-- say your policy is $1000.
you have 1 major accident (4 points) + 3 tickets (3x2=6 points) in the last 6 years. for a total of 10 points
now take 15% of $1000. policy----which is $150.
now multiply $150 by your total points, which is 10 and you get $1500.
now add this $1500. surcharge to your original $1000. policy and PRESTO---your new policy is now $2500.

some drivers (I believe less than 5 years experience) get to use 10% instead of 15%

sound unreal--believe it--this IS how it works!!!!!!!!!

thanks Assholechusetts---the suckhole state!

[OreoGaborio]