SAFE DRIVER PLAN REVISED:

Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Julie M. Bowler has approved changes in the way drivers receive discounts and surcharges to their auto insurance policies based on their driving history. The revised Safe Driver Insurance Plan will provide discounts for the state’s best drivers and offer incentives for bad drivers to improve their driving records and realize lower rates, according to Bowler. Scheduled to take effect January 1, 2006, the revised SDIP more closely resembles how insurers evaluate driving records in most other states.

Beginning in 2006, the current SDIP steps of 9 to 35 will be replaced with a point system in which drivers will be assigned points based on at-fault accidents and moving violations incurred in the last five years. Point values for minor and major traffic law violations and minor and major at-fault accidents will remain unchanged. The “Clean-in-Three” provision approved in 2005 for experienced drivers with only one at-fault accident or moving violation in the past five years will be expanded to include all drivers licensed for at least three years. Drivers with five years of clean driving experience (formerly SDIP Step 10) will receive an Excellent Driver Discount and those with six or more years of clean driving experience (formerly SDIP Step 9) will receive an Excellent Driver Plus Discount. Also, bodily injury claims resulting from at-fault accidents will now be included as surchargeable incidents.