Massachusetts At-Fault Surcharge · How to Appeal
Disagree with your at-fault surcharge? Here's how the appeal works.
An attorney-reviewed packet that builds your account of the accident, the facts that rebut the Standard of Fault, and your evidence — so you can ask the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal to vacate the surcharge. No lawyer required.
Attorney-reviewed · $50 appeal fee at the Board · Private & secure
Two ways to prepare your appeal
Start with the free intake — pick your path after.
Your full packet, attorney-reviewed. You file it yourself.
Most chosenEverything in Solo, plus a walkthrough and an attorney consultation.
See if you should appeal — freeFree intake first. Pay only when you choose to build the packet.
You don't need a lawyer. You do need to act before the deadline.
Any Massachusetts driver who received an at-fault surcharge can appeal it to the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal. Most drivers do it on their own. We make sure your appeal is built right and aimed at the Standard of Fault the first time.
Built for a strict window
Your appeal must be filed and received within 30 days of the notice date. We prepare you fast — before the clock runs out.
Aimed at the Standard of Fault
We build your appeal around the specific Standard of Fault that was applied — not a generic template — to show why it shouldn't stand.
Reviewed by an attorney
A Massachusetts attorney reviews your packet before you file with the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal, so you file with confidence.
Should you appeal your surcharge?
A surcharge only stands if both legal thresholds are met. If either is questionable, an appeal may be worthwhile. Not sure? The free intake helps you tell in minutes.
Check my situation — free →An appeal may be worthwhile if…
- The facts rebut the Standard of Fault — the other driver's conduct, conditions, or the sequence of events show you were not more than 50% at fault, or
- The insurer-paid claim did not exceed $1,000, excluding your deductible.
An exemption or "Clean in 3" reduction may also apply.
From notice to filed — in four steps
Start free. We'll build a hearing-ready appeal packet for the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal.
Begin your free intake
Tell Allie about your accident and notice — no account, no payment. An instant conflict check confirms we can help you.
We build your packet
Your account of the accident, the facts that rebut the Standard of Fault, and an evidence timeline — aimed at the Board of Appeal.
Attorney review
A Massachusetts attorney checks your packet for issues before you file.
File & present
Mail your appeal and $50 fee to the Board of Appeal within 30 days. We coach you on exactly what to say at your hearing.
Don't miss the 30-day deadline
Your appeal must be filed and received within 30 days of the date on your surcharge notice — a received-by date, not a postmark date. Mail your appeal and the $50 fee early to At-Fault Accident Appeals, Division of Insurance, One Federal St., Suite 700, Boston, MA 02110. While the appeal is pending, keep paying any increased premium or your policy can be cancelled.
Pick the help you want with your appeal
Both paths give you the complete, attorney-reviewed packet to appeal your at-fault surcharge. Choose how much hand-holding you want along the way.
- Your account of the accident, organized
- Facts that rebut the Standard of Fault
- Evidence timeline
- Step-by-step filing instructions
- Written hearing-prep guide
- Attorney-reviewed before you file
- Everything in Solo — full toolkit + attorney-reviewed packet — plus:
- Up to 30-minute attorney consultation (Zoom or phone)
- Direct Q&A with the attorney on your specific situation
The $50 appeal fee is paid to the Board of Appeal separately. Our packet fee is held in attorney trust until your matter is accepted.
Questions drivers ask before appealing
How long do I have to appeal?＋
Your appeal must be filed AND received by the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal within 30 days of the date on your surcharge notice. This is a received-by deadline, not a postmark deadline, so mail it early. Our packet gets you ready quickly.
What does it cost to file?＋
The appeal fee is $50, mailed with your appeal to At-Fault Accident Appeals, Division of Insurance, One Federal St., Suite 700, Boston, MA 02110. Our packet fee covers preparing and attorney-reviewing your appeal — it is separate from the $50 filing fee.
Do I need a lawyer?＋
No. Most drivers handle the appeal themselves. This packet is designed so you can do exactly that, with your appeal organized and reviewed by a Massachusetts attorney before you file.
What if my claim was small?＋
Confirm the amount. A surcharge requires the insurer to have paid more than $1,000, excluding your deductible. If the paid claim did not exceed $1,000, the accident is not surchargeable regardless of fault. The free intake helps you see which path fits.
Is this confidential?＋
Your answers are private and secure and are only used to prepare your packet. The Board of Appeal handles its own records under its own rules.
Don't let the surcharge stick — and don't miss the deadline.
Start the free intake. If you have a basis to appeal, your attorney-reviewed packet is ready before your deadline.
Begin free intake →Mass Surcharge Appeal provides self-help information and document preparation for appealing a Massachusetts at-fault accident surcharge to the Division of Insurance Board of Appeal. This is attorney advertising. It is not a substitute for legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no particular outcome is guaranteed. We are not affiliated with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, the Board of Appeal, the Merit Rating Board, or any insurer.