Amelia Buckley

1 week ago | bankrate.com | Shannon Martin |Amelia Buckley

As of July 1, 2025, the minimum car insurance limits in Massachusetts will increase to 25/50/30 from 20/40/5. The higher mandatory car insurance limits could increase average minimum car insurance rates by 36 percent, putting annual premiums at $711. Carriers will automatically raise limits on minimum coverage policies when they are issued or renewed. Massachusetts is the fifth state to increase minimum car insurance requirements in 2025.

2 weeks ago | bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Amelia Buckley

Imagine you get into a car accident: You dust yourself off, check the damage, maybe snap a picture or two. Then you call your insurance company. You start a claim; you take your car to the shop. Once your insurance adjuster and the body shop have taken care of everything, you’re only responsible for your deductible.  You pay that fee, take the keys back from the body shop, and drive off in your car. That’s how car insurance is supposed to work.

3 weeks ago | bankrate.com | Natalie Todoroff |Amelia Buckley

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is here and shaping up to be especially active. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season, forecasting 13 to 19 named storms — three to five of which are predicted to grow to major hurricanes, meaning category 3 or higher.

4 weeks ago | bankrate.com | Chantal Roberts |Amelia Buckley

“It’s nothing more than a way for companies to screw you out of money.”“It’s a scam.”“It’s legalized extortion.”Those are direct quotes from my students — students who work as apprentices at insurance companies. Every semester, in week one of my risk management and insurance course, I ask what they think of insurance. I can’t even publish some of the responses from students who don’t work in the industry. Many policyholders would probably agree.

1 month ago | bankrate.com | Natalie Todoroff |Amelia Buckley

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is still there in California. However, homes in Golden State neighborhoods will see higher insurance bills. On May 13, State Farm was given the green light to raise homeowners insurance premiums by 17 percent. Renters and condo insurance were approved for a 15 percent hike, while rental owners policies were approved to increase by 38 percent. Policyholders can expect these new rates to go into effect upon renewals on or after June 1.