The MA Safe Driver Insurance Plan or Massachusetts SDIP, was created in 2006 to replace the old “Step Based” system that was previously in place. The new SDIP Point system was designed to be a cleaner and easier system for Massachusetts drivers.
The MA SDIP premium adjustment is the last rating factor that is applied during the Massachusetts Auto Insurance rating process. The MA SDIP system allows drivers to have more control over their Auto Insurance rates, because your driving record controls your Point Value allowing the safest drives to be rewarded with the best rates possible.
If you are a good driver you will save money by receiving a significant discount to your Massachusetts Auto Insurance Premium. If you have an at-fault accident or traffic violation your rates will go up as you incur surcharge points.
SDIP Points:
98: Excellent Driver Discount, a driver who has been licensed and incident free for the last 5 years.
99: Excellent Driver Discount Plus, a driver who has been licensed and incident free for the last 6 years.
0: Drivers with no at fault accidents or moving violations are considered a Step 0. This will not increase or decrease your premium.
01 – 45: Accidents and Moving violations will increase your Premium.
Points are accumulated based on the following: (For a more detailed explanation of points and what type of incidents are considered minor vs. major, our blog post Massachusetts SDIP Points Explained may be helpful.)
Major Traffic Violations: 5 SDIP Points
Minor Traffic violation: 2 SDIP Points
Major at-fault traffic accident: 4 SDIP Points
Minor at-fault traffic accident: 3 SDIP Points
Surcharge Points will affect the rating of 4 parts or your Insurance Policy:
Part 1: Compulsory Bodily Injury to Others
Part 2: Personal Injury Protection
Part 4: Property Damage
Part 7: Collision
How will this affect your Insurance Premium?
An experience driver (that has been licensed for more than 6 years) will experience a 15% increase in premium in each of the above converges for every point they accumulate. An inexperienced driver will experience a 7.5% increase.
A driver with a 98 Excellent Driver Discount will experience a -7% rate reduction in these 4 coverages.
A driver with a 99 Excellent Driver Discount Plus will experience a 17% rate reduction in these 4 coverages.
As you can see your driving record is a very large factor in your insurance premium!
If you do have points what can you do to reduce your premium?
The best answer is to not accumulate any more points, and they will slowly start to come off based on the following:
Points have a life span of 6 years, after 6 years they are removed. Regardless of additional points applied.
If you have 3 consecutive years of clean driving you are eligible for the “Clean in 3″ provision:
The value of surcharge points for each surchargeable incident is reduced by 1 point if:
(1) you have 3 or fewer surchargeable incidents on your driving record in the 5 years immediately preceding your policy’s effective date,
(2) the most recent surcharge date is at least 3 years before your policy’s effective date, and
(3) you have at least 3 years of driving experience.
For information on appealing a surcharge:
Appealing MA SDIP Points
If you have any questions about Massachusetts Auto Insurance or talk to one of our specialists about starting a policy call us today at 508-485-0130. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for Insurance and community related tips and information or subscribe to our blog to receive subsequent blog posts on this topic and other important Insurance related topics from your Insurance experts Downey Insurance Group.
