⏱ Surcharge notice deadline approaching? Your appeal must be filed and received within 30 days of the notice date — don't wait.
Start now →Massachusetts At-Fault Surcharge Appeals
Beat your at-fault surcharge before it costs you for six years.
An at-fault finding can pile $1,000–$3,000+ onto your premiums — but the fault standard is rebuttable, and you have just 30 days to appeal. Tell Allie what happened, and our AI builds your appeal — reviewed and signed by a licensed Massachusetts attorney before your deadline.
- A clear account of the accident — organized and case-specific
- A prep memo made specifically for your appeal — everything reviewed by a real attorney
- Evidence and witness checklist mapped to the Standard of Fault
- Attorney's flagged issues and recommended approach
Free deadline check · Attorney-reviewed appeal from $149
Allie
Surcharge Appeal Assistant
Allie is an AI assistant — responses are for preparation purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
How it works
Tell Allie about your accident
Start the conversation above. Allie confirms your notice date and deadline, then begins a structured intake about the accident and the Standard of Fault.
Thorough AI-assisted intake
Allie conducts a detailed interview covering the accident facts, your evidence, and why you were not more than 50% at fault. One focused question at a time — nothing missed.
Attorney-reviewed packet
A licensed Massachusetts attorney reviews your intake, flags issues, and delivers your preparation packet before your 30-day deadline.
Who reviews your case
Reviewing attorney
Patrick T. Donovan, Esq.
Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney · Former Assistant District Attorney
Attorney Donovan handles Massachusetts at-fault accident surcharge appeals before the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal. He reviews every preparation packet with a sharp eye for the Standards of Fault — knowing exactly what the Board will focus on before you submit your appeal.
Common questions
What you need to know about appealing a surcharge
- What is a Massachusetts at-fault accident surcharge?
- An at-fault accident surcharge is an increase applied to your auto insurance after an accident in which you were found more than 50% at fault under the Standards of Fault (211 CMR 74.00) AND your insurer paid a claim of more than $1,000, excluding your deductible. If either condition is missing, the accident should not be surchargeable.
- What is the deadline to appeal a surcharge in Massachusetts?
- Your appeal must be filed AND received within 30 days of the date on your surcharge notice. This is a received-by deadline, not a postmark deadline, so mail it early. The appeal goes to the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal with a $50 fee.
- Do I need a lawyer to appeal a surcharge in Massachusetts?
- You are not required to have a lawyer. Because surcharge points generally follow a driver for about 6 years and can raise your premium, preparation matters. Mass Surcharge Appeal provides attorney-reviewed preparation packets as a lower-cost, self-help alternative.
- How does the Board of Appeal decide my case?
- The Division of Insurance Board of Appeal schedules a hearing and issues a written Memorandum of Finding and Order. It vacates (removes) the at-fault finding if it determines you were not more than 50% at fault, or upholds it if it determines you were.
- Can an at-fault surcharge be removed?
- Yes. Each Standard of Fault is a rebuttable presumption — it applies 'unless a showing to the contrary is demonstrated by the evidence.' With evidence such as a police report, photos, dashcam footage, and witness statements, you can argue you were not more than 50% at fault and ask the Board to vacate the finding.
- Do I have to pay the higher premium while my appeal is pending?
- Yes. While your appeal is pending you must keep paying any increased premium or your policy can be cancelled. If your appeal succeeds, a refund or credit follows.
- I got a surcharge but live outside Massachusetts. Can I still use this service?
- Yes. The service is open to anyone appealing a Massachusetts at-fault accident surcharge, regardless of where you live. Every appeal is heard by the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal — your physical location does not affect your eligibility.
- How much does a surcharge raise my premium?
- There is no single official figure. An industry rule of thumb is roughly 15% per point on the compulsory and collision portions of a policy, but treat that only as an estimate — the actual impact depends on your insurer's merit rating plan, and insurers are not required to use the Safe Driver Insurance Plan.
Ready to prepare?
Start the conversation above. The conflict check and intake are free. Attorney-reviewed packets are available when you're ready to proceed.
Mass Surcharge Appeal · Massachusetts At-Fault Surcharge Appeals