Can I Be Refused Car Insurance in Massachusetts?
- When you are shopping around for Massachusetts auto insurance, you cannot be denied a policy based on your race, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, gender, occupation, homeownership or education. An insurer also cannot deny you auto insurance coverage based on how you plan to store the vehicle. However, if you lie on your application about where you plan to store your vehicle, the insurer can refuse to pay your damage claims because you falsely misrepresented this information. For this reason, you should always inform your insurer immediately if you relocate to a new home.
- An insurer cannot deny you an auto insurance policy based on your financial status or past credit history, which includes your credit score. The commonwealth of Massachusetts also prohibits auto insurance companies from rating your risk, and therefore calculating your premium, based on your credit history from any of the three credit reporting agencies.
- If an auto insurer legally denies you an auto insurance policy for reasons that are valid, such as your risk factor, they must inform you in writing with an explanation. If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Department of Insurance, or DOI.
- If you have been denied an auto insurance policy, the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan, or MAIP, can step in and find you a plan through one of the state's ARCs, or assigned risk companies, which are regular free-market insurance companies that receive state assistance to help high risk drivers. To apply, simply ask your insurance agent to submit an application to the MAIP. If you are approved, you will be awarded the an insurance policy with the insurer that offers the lowest premium price.
