Divison of Insurance to Meet With Consumers at 10th Annual Roxbury Film Festival

BOSTON -- Wednesday, July 23, 2008 -- The Massachusetts Division of Insurance will be on hand to answer consumer questions about the state's new managed competition auto insurance system during the 10 ^th Annual Roxbury Film Festival. The Division is sponsoring the festival and staff members will be available to show consumers ways they can shop and save in the new market on Friday, August 1 ^st during the evening film screenings at Northeastern University's Cabral Center, 40 Leon Street, Boston.

"In only its first few months, managed competition is already delivering the results the Patrick administration intended. Consumers' rates are going down dramatically, and they have more choices than ever before," said Commissioner of Insurance Nonnie S. Burnes. "Massachusetts drivers need to know about the tremendous opportunities for savings they now have and we want to show them all ways they can make managed competition work for them."

The Division of Insurance previously hosted consumer forums in Springfield and Boston in advance of the April 1 ^st effective date of managed competition. In less than four full months, the transition from a system where the Commissioner set rates for the entire Commonwealth to one that allows insurers to compete for drivers' business by offering better prices and policies, has brought lower rates and more choices to good drivers throughout Massachusetts. The Division estimates that responsible drivers everywhere will save at least 10% on their 2008 premium, perhaps more if they shop around. New companies, including Progressive, the nation's third largest auto insurer, and Peerless, have entered the market, the first new companies to start selling policies to Massachusetts drivers in decades.

Festival attendees will be able to see for themselves the array of competitive prices and discounts now being offered by each of the state's auto insurers by using www.Mass.Gov/AutoRates, the sample premium web site the Division launched to help consumers shop around for the best deals in the new market. The web site also provides a direct connection to companies and agents so that consumers can obtain an actual rate quote. Division of Insurance staff will be on hand to demonstrate www.Mass.Gov/AutoRates, distribute consumer guides and tips on ways to save and answer questions consumers have about managed competition.