Automobile Insurance

The Automobile Insurance policy covers both the vehicle and the liability associated with driving.  The insurance you purchase must meet your specific needs.  It is vital that you have an explanation of coverage options so you are able to make informed choices.  Mid-State prides itself on being a valuable resource for you and your family.

A Brief Explanation of the Massachusetts Auto Policy

COMPULSORY INSURANCE (1-4)

Bodily Injury to Others - pays for damages to anyone injured or killed by your car only in an accident that occurs in Massachusetts, up to a basic limit of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - pays up to $8,000 to you or anyone you let drive your car, anyone living in your household, passengers and pedestrians, no matter who causes the accident.  Personal Injury Protection pays for medical expenses, replacement services, and 75% of any lost wages.

Bodily Injury Caused by An Uninsured Auto - protects you, anyone you let drive your car, household members and passengers (unless covered by another Massachusetts policy with similar coverage) against losses caused by an uninsured or unidentified ("hit and run") driver.  A minimum limit of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident is required.

Damage to Someone Else's Property - pays for damage to another person's property and costs associated with the loss of use of that property, when you, a household member or another authorized driver cause an accident.  A minimum limit of $5,000 is required.

OPTIONAL INSURANCE (5-12)

Optional Bodily Injury to Others - extends your liability protection from the basic $20,000/$40,000 up to the amount you purchase.  This option also provides coverage for accidents beyond Massachusetts to anywhere in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada.  This option also pays for damages suffered by guests in your auto.

Medical Payments - covers medical expenses for you, your household members and passengers, over and above amount covered by Personal Injury Protection no matter who caused the accident.

Collision - pays for collision damage to your car, less any applicable deductible, no matter who causes the accident.  If your car is financed, your lender may require you to buy this coverage.  Waiver of deductible means that the collision deductible amount will not apply when an accident in caused by another identifiable driver.

Limited Collision - also pays for collision damage to your car.  You must not be more than 50% at fault, and the owner of the other vehicle must be identified.

Comprehensive - pays for damage to or loss of your car, less any applicable deductible, resulting from perils such as fire, theft, and vandalism, but not collision.  This coverage allows up to $15 a day (to a limit of $450) for substitute transportation until your stolen auto is recovered.  Personal property is not covered unless it is permanently installed in your car.  If your car is finance, your lender may require this coverage.

Substitute Transportation - reimburses up to $15 a day for car rental or transportation costs including taxi, bus and train fare (up to $450), while your car is undergoing collision or covered repairs.  Additional coverage is available for an additional cost.  Even if you have this coverage, some car rental agencies may refuse to rent to you if you are under a certain age, are a poor credit risk, do not have an acceptable credit card, or have an unacceptable driving record.

Towing and Labor - pays up to $25 for towing and labor charges each time your car breaks down whether or not there is an accident involved.  You are covered only for the on-site labor costs at the breakdown site (not any parts) needed to get your car running again.  Coverage of up to $50 per disablement is available for an additional cost.

Bodily Injury Caused by an Underinsured Auto - pays for bodily injury damages t you, household members and passengers, unless they have a policy of their own, or are covered by a Massachusetts auto policy of another household member with similar coverage.  The accident must be caused by someone without enough bodily injury coverage.  It pays you up to the difference between the total amount collected from the bodily injury liability insurance covering the owner and driver of the other car, and the limits you purchased for this coverage.