Won My Appeal with the MA Board of Appeals: What’s Next?
Hello everyone, I have a question about what steps to take now that I’ve successfully appealed a determination of fault for an accident with the Massachusetts Board of Appeals.
To give some background, I’m a 23-year-old male with a Massachusetts driver’s license. In April 2024, I was involved in a single-vehicle accident while driving back to Massachusetts from upstate New York. The incident was caused by adverse weather and a passing truck that sprayed water and slush onto my car, leading to me losing control and hitting a guardrail. Fortunately, I wasn’t injured, but my vehicle was totaled, and I filed an insurance claim for it. I received a payout for the damages.
A few weeks later, I received a notification from the Massachusetts Board of Appeals stating that I was deemed more than 50% at fault for the accident. I contested this decision and was pleased to win my appeal at the hearing two weeks ago.
Now I’m wondering what to do next. Will the accident be completely removed from my driving record? Am I eligible for a partial refund on my insurance premiums since my rates may have gone up because of the accident? If I seek a new insurance quote, will the accident still show up on my record, or do I need to inform the insurance company of the outcome so it can be updated?
I would greatly appreciate any guidance or insights on this matter. Thank you!
Congratulations on winning your appeal! That’s a significant victory. Here are some steps you can take now that you’ve successfully navigated the process:
Contact the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): Since you won your appeal, it’s important to ensure that the Board’s decision is reflected in your driving record. Contact the RMV to check if the at-fault designation has been removed and request confirmation that your record has been updated accordingly.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Reach out to your insurance provider and inform them about the outcome of your appeal. Depending on their policies, they may or may not automatically remove the accident from your record without you bringing it up. Ask if your premiums can be adjusted back to their original rate since you were initially deemed at fault.
Request a Refund: If your premiums increased as a result of the accident being recorded as at fault, you can ask your insurance company if you are eligible for a refund or a credit on your next bill due to the change in your fault status.
Quotes for New Policies: When starting a new insurance quote, it’s crucial to be honest about your driving record. If the accident has been removed from your record, it should not appear on new quotes. However, if the insurance company cannot access the updated information yet, you might want to inform them of the outcome.
Documentation: Keep a copy of all correspondence from the Board of Appeals, as well as any communications with your insurance provider. This documentation can be valuable if there are any disputes or if your records are not updated as expected.
Follow Up: After some time, check back with both the RMV and your insurance company to make sure everything has been updated correctly. If you encounter any issues, having your appeal documentation on hand will help clarify the situation.
Moving forward, maintaining clear communication with both the RMV and your insurance provider will help ensure that all records accurately reflect your current status. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have further questions!