Frequently Asked Questions: Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT? A: You should contact your insurance agency, James W. Hennigan Insurance Agency, Inc. @ 617-327-9200. If the office is closed, please contact the following: Commerce Insurance Company @ 1-800-221-1605 or Plymouth Rock @ 1-888-324-1620. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for claim reporting.  You should also engage in the following: A.  Exchange information with the other driver (License, registration, etc.) B.  Don’t move your vehicle C.  Don’t move an injured person D.  Provide information to the police officer and/or police station Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICAL DAMAGE VS. COLLISION PHYSICAL DAMAGE COVERAGE? A: Comprehensive—provides coverage for most of the direct physical losses you could incur.  For example, damage from a fire.     Collision—is considered a loss when your car collides with another car and/or object. For example, if you hit a car in a parking lot. Q: ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC TIME LIMITS FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY FOR COMPREHENSIVE OR COLLISION CLAIMS? A: There are no specific time limits for the settlement of claims. Insurance companies are required by law to pay all claims within a timely manner. However, claims that require special or extended investigation may take longer to resolve. Q:  IF I LOAN MY CAR TO SOMEONE, IS THAT PERSON COVERED?   AM I STILL COVERED? A: Yes. Whenever you loan your car to another person, the liability and coverage for damage will be covered under your policy. If the other driver has insurance, his/her policy should also cover the cost of damages and/or injuries.  Please ask your Insurance Agency for detailed information. Q: IF MY AUTOMOBILE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS, IS MY INSURANCE COMPANY ENTITLED TO GIVE ME THE REPLACEMENT COST? Your insurance agency will only pay the actual cash value as of the vehicle of the date of the loss, not the cost to replace it. If declared a loss, the automobile is insured until the license plates are returned to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Q: WHAT FACTORS AFFECT MY AUTO INSURANCE? A: Where you keep your vehicle can enhance your changes of theft or vandalism, if kept in an unsafe place (For example, city living is usually a higher premium vs. rural areas).  Also, your driving record, your marital status and the type of car that you drive can affect your insurance.   Q: WHAT CAN BE DONE TO LOWER MY AUTO INSURANCE RATES? A: You may qualify for discounts if you insure multiple cars under the same policy, or if you have a drivers education certificate (within 5 years), and certain safety features applied to your vehicle, including an air bag, alarm, etc., may help reduce your cost. Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF MY AUTO INSURANCE IS CANCELED? A: Your company should send you a notice within 20 days prior to the effective date of the cancellation. If you do not receive notification, contact your agency and they will reinstate your policy. Q: WHAT CAN I DO IF I RECEIVE A CANCELLATION NOTICE? A: You can pay the exact amount called for on the notice or, if you feel that the cancellation is unjust, you should contact your insurance Agency to try to resolve the issue, or may submit a written appeal to the Board of Appeals. This must be done prior to the effective date of cancellation.   Q: AM I COVERED FOR NATURAL DISASTERS? A: Comprehensive insurance covers you for fire and theft; however, it usually covers you against damage by flood, earthquakes and other natural disasters, except when your car is overturned. Q: HOW TO REPORT A CLAIM IF YOUR CAR IS STOLEN? A: You need to notify the police department where the car was located at the time of the theft. If you have comprehensive coverage report the loss to your agent.  An adjuster will assist you in the claim settlement process Q: HOW TO REPORT A CLAIM IF YOUR CAR CATCHES ON FIRE: A: You must notify the local fire department. If you have comprehensive coverage, complete the Massachusetts residents’ special forms (FP32 or, FP33C). Back to top