UPDATED – July 6, 2012 – The Massachusetts Division of Insurance sent the following update to Agency Checklists earlier this week.
Please not that the Bulletin issued by the Division of Insurance on June 11, 2012, concerning the changes to the ZIP codes in the Boston neighborhoods of Mattapan and Hyde Park, Bulletin 2012-03, has been updated to include a link to a list of the 1,655 address that are affected by this change.
The Division of Insurance issued Bulletin 2012-04 today announcing the changes to zip codes in Mattapan & Hyde Park
The Division of Insurance issued Bulletin 2012-04 this morning to notify insurance companies and independent agents that the United States Postal Service has approved the City of Boston’s request to change 1,655 addresses. The change effective July 1, 2012 will change resident’s addresses from Mattapan (02126) to Hyde Park (02136).
The Division of Insurance says that affected residents should have received a notification from the Post Office in May of this year explaining the transfer and what steps they should take in order to ensure a smooth transition to their new Zip Code. “The Division understands that local postal officials already have undertaken the necessary steps to accomplish this ZIP Code change by the effective date” states the Bulletin.
In addition, the DOI warns insurers that this change should not be as used as an opportunity to inappropriately increase insurance premiums:
It previously has been reported to the Division that the insurance premiums of certain consumers were inappropriately increased as a result of ZIP Code changes. The Division therefore directs all insurers to remind their employees and producers to take appropriate steps to ensure that no consumers are adversely affected because they have been assigned a new ZIP code.
Agents should be sure to update their own files accordingly. In addition, it might be helpful to your insureds to use this as an opportunity to reach out to those in the affected areas to make sure that they have taken the necessary steps to ensure that their insurance information is up-to-date and correct. In addition, you could also suggest a free policy revision in order to make sure they understand what coverages they have and to avoid any problems over an inappropriate premium increase.
If any inappropriate premium changes do occur, the Bulletin asks that you contact Robert A. Whitney, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, at 617-521-7308 or to email him at robert.a.whitney@state.ma.us.
