Thank you for your interest in this month’s Deland, Gibson e-newsletter. The following are topics that we feel you should know about. Also, if there is a topic that you would like covered or a question you would like answered in an upcoming e-newsletter please e-mail us at info@delandgibson.com.
We hope you continue to enjoy the nice weather!
Sincerely,
Charlie Gibson
Property Owners with Oil Heat Should Understand the Basics of the Oil Remediation Law
The Massachusetts Oil Remediation Law contains important information for any property owner of one to four-family residences who uses oil to heat. Lawmakers crafted this legislation in hopes of preventing the damaging effects that leaky oil tanks and pipes produce.
Effective July 1, 2010, owners of one to four-family residential properties are required to upgrade their system, unless they are exempt based on certain qualifications, and enhance their homeowner or fire insurance coverage. The two major provisions can be explained as follows:
Older systems that do not currently have an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with a protective sleeve will be required to attain these precautionary measures.
Insurance companies that write these policies will be required to offer enhanced coverage for leaks from oil heating systems.
Current insurance policies do no contain this coverage, and in the event of a spill, the property owner is left with the costly expense of cleanup. While it is required that insurance companies offer this supplemental coverage, the property owner has the option of whether or not to purchase this insurance.
In order to obtain this insurance, property owners must meet several criteria. For more information on coverage requirements please contact our office at 781.237.1515.
Changing License Plates in the ‘Fast Lane’
The Massachusetts DOT’s Electronic Toll Collection Program helps alleviate traffic and calms your commute. The ‘Fast Lane’ (and EZ Pass) system allows for electronic toll collection through the use of a free transponder (tag).
This system has helped to minimize travel-time for commuters across our state and is designed to maintain the most up-to-date information regarding your vehicle. If you elect to change license plates, whether to upgrade to the newer look or if you purchased a new car, you must notify the ‘Fast Lane’ processing center. If you fail to do so, you will be issued a violation upon passage, since the plate has not been registered to your ‘Fast Lane’ account. This violation goes onto your driving record.
How Can RMV Online Services Help You?
The online branch of the Registry of Motor Vehicles has helped streamline many of the services required by Massachusetts’ drivers. With forms available for printing, such as accident report, vehicle inspection and change of address, many users have found these postings quite convenient. Recently, forms for trailer registrations and summer-winter vehicle swaps have also been added. However, you must still call us to change this information on your insurance policy, and some forms still require an insurance stamp.
In addition to forms and manuals, visitors to the online branch will also find a broad spectrum of services accessible to them - from license and registration renewal to scheduling a road test. License plate cancellation is also offered but please keep in mind this transaction can only be processed online if you physically have at least one plate in your possession. If you do not have one plate, an Affidavit For Cancellation of Registration for Lost Plate(s) must be completed and delivered to a branch office or mailed to the address listed. Also, if you do successfully cancel your license plate, remember that in order to terminate your insurance you must send us your Plate Return Receipt, as the Registry does not notify your insurance company.
Visiting the online branch can reduce the paperwork stress, but please remember to familiarize yourself with all processes to successfully complete your transaction.
Protect Yourself from Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists
Uninsured and Underinsured motorist protection is designed to protect you from negligent drivers that have little or no insurance coverage. We have learned that there has been a recent surge in the number of uninsured vehicles traveling on Massachusetts’ roadways. This increase signals potential harm to you and your loved ones. Therefore, we suggest that you consider increasing coverage limits for your uninsured motorist protection. Doing this will protect you and your passengers in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver that may only carry minimum limits of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.
Uninsured and Underinsured motorist insurance is meant only to cover bodily injury and not property damage. Your Deland, Gibson agent can advise you on the proper limits of liability coverage and Personal Injury Protection that should be included in your policy. We have seen cases in which people who have turned to direct insurance companies have been quoted lower costs, but their policies often have dangerously low limits for these important coverages. Saving a few dollars in the short term will not matter when faced with a potentially costly accident some time in the future.
One area where our policyholders cannot afford to take short cuts is protecting themselves and their family against the damage that can result from careless drivers. To make certain your coverage contains the optimal protection please contact our office at 781.237.1515.
For More Information
For more information about coverage and costs, contact Deland, Gibson Insurance Associates at 781-237-1515, or go to the agency's Web site at www.delandgibson.com.
If you have a topic that you would like us to cover please E-mail us.
