Bill > H1219

This bill modifies Massachusetts motor vehicle insurance regulations by changing the threshold for when an accident can trigger a premium surcharge. Specifically, the bill raises the minimum claim payment amount from $1,000 to $5,000 before an accident becomes a "surchargeable incident" that can affect insurance rates. The legislation defines two new categories of accidents: "minor accidents" (claim payments between $5,000 and $7,500) and "major accidents" (claim payments exceeding $7,500), which can be applied across various types of insurance coverage including property damage liability, collision, and bodily injury liability. The bill ensures that motor vehicle liability policies cannot increase premiums for at-fault accidents that do not meet these specific claim payment thresholds. This change aims to protect consumers from premium increases for relatively small or minor insurance claims, potentially providing some financial relief for drivers who experience minor accidents that result in limited damages.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1219