Appealing a Massachusetts Insurance Surcharge
I’m located in Massachusetts, and my insurance provider has deemed me at fault for an accident where I lost control on a slick, snow-covered road and rear-ended another vehicle. The other car was stopped but not at a traffic light, stop sign, or any other traffic control device. The road was curved, the speed limit was 30 mph, but I was only going 20 mph due to the hazardous driving conditions. The damage to the other vehicle was minimal, limited to the driver’s side bumper, while my vehicle sustained damage to the grille and bumper. The accident felt unavoidable, as there was oncoming traffic and a snowbank to my right. This is my very first at-fault accident. Do you think I have a good chance of winning the appeal against the insurance surcharge?
I’m not an insurance expert, but it sounds like you have some valid points in your situation. Given that you were mindful of the conditions and were driving below the speed limit, you may have a case for the appeal, especially since the other vehicle was stationary.
In Massachusetts, the determination of fault considers a variety of factors, including driving conditions, actions taken before the accident, and the nature of the accident itself. Since you were driving cautiously due to the slippery conditions, you may argue that the accident was unavoidable despite the fact that you did rear-end another vehicle.
To strengthen your appeal, consider gathering evidence such as:
Make sure to present a clear, well-documented appeal to the insurance company, emphasizing that you’ve demonstrated reasonable caution under the circumstances. Good luck!