You do have a choice.  After all, you pay for police and fire protection and now you could be faced with paying for it twice through higher insurance premiums.

 

Here are some suggestions if you are concerned about these fees:

• Contact your local officials and let them know that you don't want to pay for these fees through your insurance premiums since you already support them through your local taxes.
• Send a letter to your local newspaper when this issue comes before the local unit of government.  Let others in your community know that your municipality is considering assessing these fees.
• Voice your concern for the fairness of these fees with your neighbors, friends, elected officials and the media.
• Contact your insurance agent or company representative if your municipality is considering accident response fees.  Making your agent aware of the potential charges is one way to make sure that your insurance company can take proactive measures to educate your local elected officials before they assess the fees.
• If an insurance policyholder receives a bill or a copy of a billing fee statement as a result of a police or fire department response to an accident, contact your insurance company or agent immediately.  They will inform you of your obligations.

 

If you would like more information about municipal response fees or have questions about your insurance policy, call the Insurance Information Hotline at 800-777-8005.  This free service is available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  It provides prompt answers to your insurance questions.