Calif. Consumer Advocate Rosenfield Urges Mass. to Repeal No-Fault, Make Other Auto Changes
East News • March 29, 2005
Massachusetts should repeal its no-fault law, end its reliance on uniform state-set rates, and remove the state antitrust exemption for auto insurers if it wants to improve its auto insurance ...
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Subject: RE: Real Life Connections
Posted On: March 31, 2005, 11:21 am CST
Posted By: Stacey
Comment:
Had to respond to this. There is a huge misunderstanding, overall, of what No-fault actually means. In a "fault" state, as you put it, your state insurance law merely requires you to have liability coverage. This coverage protects YOU if you are at fault in a car crash. In a no-fault state you are required by law to have what is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This type of coverage pays your bills if you are injured in a crash while in your vehicle or in someone else's vehicle even. It puts the responsibility back on the injured party to take care of their own injuries and completely absolves the at-fault of any blame (unless they happen to have liability coverage).
PIP is a good thing. It covers your medical bills, lost wages and in some states reimburses you for mileage and prescription expenses PLUS it does not affect your premium. It is like bonus coverage. Every state has PIP or Med Pay coverage. In some states you have to waive PIP if you dont want it, in others (no fault states)it is required by law.
The fact still remains that if you live in a no fault state you still need liability coverage!
In regard to what is one's fault. Skidding on the ice is circumstantial, it could be your fault or it couldn't. If a branch falls in the roadway and you are not allowed to pursue a comprehensive claim (rather than a collision claim)which carries a lower deductible and is not listed as an at fault incident you need to switch insurance companies (a branch falling into the roadway is somewhat considered an act of god and not the fault of the driver/owner). If you do not keep up maintenance on your vehicle and something occurs that could be your fault yes.
Subject: RE: Real Life Connections
PIP is a good thing. It covers your medical bills, lost wages and in some states reimburses you for mileage and prescription expenses PLUS it does not affect your premium. It is like bonus coverage. Every state has PIP or Med Pay coverage. In some states you have to waive PIP if you dont want it, in others (no fault states)it is required by law.
The fact still remains that if you live in a no fault state you still need liability coverage!
In regard to what is one's fault. Skidding on the ice is circumstantial, it could be your fault or it couldn't. If a branch falls in the roadway and you are not allowed to pursue a comprehensive claim (rather than a collision claim)which carries a lower deductible and is not listed as an at fault incident you need to switch insurance companies (a branch falling into the roadway is somewhat considered an act of god and not the fault of the driver/owner). If you do not keep up maintenance on your vehicle and something occurs that could be your fault yes.