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| Liability disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the electronic documents and resources provided on this Web site. However, the New Hampshire Motorcyclists' Rights Organization (NHMRO) makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding errors or omissions and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting in the use of this information contained within. Copyright 1995-2009 The New Hampshire Motorcyclists' Rights Organization |
Myrtle Beach - Surpreme Court (2/5/10)
(from the MRF Area Representative)
I'm just in from Columbia and the Supreme Court!
The Myrtle Beach legal team has gotten a good spanking today by our Supreme Court
and the Mcgrath Law firm. The Court was very engaged and had many questions for
the Myrtle Beach folks as to what their intent was with the helmet and other ordinances
and quite frankly they admitted they just wanted bikers and the rallies to go away!
Many of the Justices were rather comical about the ham handed efforts of the City to
halt the rallies and in their attempt to argue unsound judgment only made their case
more laughable to those in attendance. While we all expect the court to take due time
to decide the merits of the case i would be surprised with any decision that doesn't land
100% in favor of Freedom! Myrtle Beach would have better served itself and its
citizens if they had enforced existing laws and ordnances and put forth some honest
effort to work with the biker community! More to follow!
I'm just in from Columbia and the Supreme Court!
The Myrtle Beach legal team has gotten a good spanking today by our Supreme Court
and the Mcgrath Law firm. The Court was very engaged and had many questions for
the Myrtle Beach folks as to what their intent was with the helmet and other ordinances
and quite frankly they admitted they just wanted bikers and the rallies to go away!
Many of the Justices were rather comical about the ham handed efforts of the City to
halt the rallies and in their attempt to argue unsound judgment only made their case
more laughable to those in attendance. While we all expect the court to take due time
to decide the merits of the case i would be surprised with any decision that doesn't land
100% in favor of Freedom! Myrtle Beach would have better served itself and its
citizens if they had enforced existing laws and ordnances and put forth some honest
effort to work with the biker community! More to follow!
News from UBM (United Bikers of Maine) 2/3/10
AUGUSTA — Seven-year-old Grace Nowacki told legislators Tuesday that loud motorcycles
scare her.
A Kennebunk resident, she hopes they will pass a state law to do something about it.
“When I don’t have a chance to cover my ears, the noise from the motorcycle hurts my ears
very badly,” she said as she stood on a chair to reach the microphone. “Sometimes, it takes
me a very long time to feel right again after a loud motorcycle passes by.”
Grace was one of several people who told members of the Legislature’s Transportation
Committee they support L.D. 1675, “An Act to Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and
Improve Public Health.”
Sponsor Sen. Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, said she hopes the committee can find a
solution because her constituents are “emotionally, physically and mentally affected by
motorcycle noise.” “At the very least, we must do something to address motorcycle noise
and I am hopeful for a solution,” she said.
Sullivan’s bill is a concept draft, which means it seeks a solution to the problem but dosen’t
outline any specifics
Those who testified complained of motorcycles so loud it drowns out coffee shop
conversations, elevates blood pressure and makes it so they can’t use outdoor patios,
particularly in southern Maine.
The bill drew opposition from the United Bikers of Maine. Eric Fuller said car alarms and
lawn mowers also produce loud noise, yet motorcycles are the ones that are being singled
out.“Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to use the laws already on the books,” he said.
And Sonny Bridges, the original founder of the group, said that, in 36 years, he’s never
once been asked to give input on a proposed law that would affect bikers. “Although
perhaps all the good intentions are there, they don’t really have a clue what it is like to
operate a motorcycle in today’s traffic or how some of the protective measures being forced
upon us actually negatively affect the safe operation of a motorcycle,” he said.
Maine State Police Lt. Chris Grotton testified neither for nor against the bill, saying he
will bring additional information to Friday’s work session to share with the committee. He said
a new testing procedure backed by Harley-Davidson may be of use in Maine. “We support
the development and implementation of an objective, reasonable, enforceable policy to
reduce the frustrations created by this problem,” he said.
Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, who represents Munjoy Hill and downtown, said she’s
spent a year working on ways to address the problem of motorcycle noise. She suggested a
pilot project that uses the sound test mentioned by Grotton, which was created by the
Society of Automotive Engineers. Also, she said she believes motorcycles should be
required to have inspection stickers displayed, just as cars do.
Russell said while the majority of bikers are responsible, there’s a small group that’s
made it necessary to find a way to crack down on excessive noise.
“It’s unfortunate a small group of people who apparently should be taking Viagra are the
ones that are causing problems for the rest,” she said.
Susan Cover — 620-7015
scare her.
A Kennebunk resident, she hopes they will pass a state law to do something about it.
“When I don’t have a chance to cover my ears, the noise from the motorcycle hurts my ears
very badly,” she said as she stood on a chair to reach the microphone. “Sometimes, it takes
me a very long time to feel right again after a loud motorcycle passes by.”
Grace was one of several people who told members of the Legislature’s Transportation
Committee they support L.D. 1675, “An Act to Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and
Improve Public Health.”
Sponsor Sen. Nancy Sullivan, D-Biddeford, said she hopes the committee can find a
solution because her constituents are “emotionally, physically and mentally affected by
motorcycle noise.” “At the very least, we must do something to address motorcycle noise
and I am hopeful for a solution,” she said.
Sullivan’s bill is a concept draft, which means it seeks a solution to the problem but dosen’t
outline any specifics
Those who testified complained of motorcycles so loud it drowns out coffee shop
conversations, elevates blood pressure and makes it so they can’t use outdoor patios,
particularly in southern Maine.
The bill drew opposition from the United Bikers of Maine. Eric Fuller said car alarms and
lawn mowers also produce loud noise, yet motorcycles are the ones that are being singled
out.“Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to use the laws already on the books,” he said.
And Sonny Bridges, the original founder of the group, said that, in 36 years, he’s never
once been asked to give input on a proposed law that would affect bikers. “Although
perhaps all the good intentions are there, they don’t really have a clue what it is like to
operate a motorcycle in today’s traffic or how some of the protective measures being forced
upon us actually negatively affect the safe operation of a motorcycle,” he said.
Maine State Police Lt. Chris Grotton testified neither for nor against the bill, saying he
will bring additional information to Friday’s work session to share with the committee. He said
a new testing procedure backed by Harley-Davidson may be of use in Maine. “We support
the development and implementation of an objective, reasonable, enforceable policy to
reduce the frustrations created by this problem,” he said.
Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, who represents Munjoy Hill and downtown, said she’s
spent a year working on ways to address the problem of motorcycle noise. She suggested a
pilot project that uses the sound test mentioned by Grotton, which was created by the
Society of Automotive Engineers. Also, she said she believes motorcycles should be
required to have inspection stickers displayed, just as cars do.
Russell said while the majority of bikers are responsible, there’s a small group that’s
made it necessary to find a way to crack down on excessive noise.
“It’s unfortunate a small group of people who apparently should be taking Viagra are the
ones that are causing problems for the rest,” she said.
Susan Cover — 620-7015
MMA Information Alert - Attorney General's Insurance
Settlement: Do you qualify? (2/4/10)
Settlement: Do you qualify? (2/4/10)
On Monday, February 1st, Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) Board Members
met with representatives of the Massachusetts Attorney Generals’ Office (AGO) Insurance &
Financial Services Division to discuss their recent settlement announcement regarding
overcharging of Motorcycle Insurance Policy holders.
The AGO initiated their investigation of certain Insurance Carriers over a year ago due
to consumer complaints. The results of their investigation were announced to the MMA and
the general public on January 14th and are published on each groups Web Sites. This
initial announcement identified 3 Insurance Carriers who have entered into a settlement with
the AGO’s office. The 3 carriers are:
This settlement totals $11.1 million dollars and the goal now is to identify and find all of
the individuals who are due refunds. Refunds originate as far back as 2002 and AGO and
MMA personnel are concerned that riders who are due refunds may have switched carriers
over the years, may have moved, even moving out of state, and the challenge is how to find
these people. The AGO has some information concerning your insurance refunds, but is
looking to collect more information.
“The AGO has reached out to the motorcycling community, through the MMA, out of
concern that the Insurance Companies might not be able to identify and locate all the
riders”, explains MMA Chairman Dave Condon. The AGO contacted the MMA and is
seeking the assistance of the MMA in assuring the correct information is made available as
well with locating and contacting all the riders due refunds.
The MMA cautions its members that there is a lot of misinformation and conjecture
being drawn from prior press releases distributed by other individuals which may slow down
the process of obtaining your money. The MMA apologizes for the delay in disseminating
this information, as others trying to be helpful have taken actions resulting in confusion and
delay. Additional information will be provided as the Attorney General’s Office reaches
agreement with other providers, and all riders are encouraged to contact the MMA directly
for assistance in expediting your refund.
Alternatively, the AGO has worked directly with the Insurance Carriers to establish the
following hotlines:
In order to qualify for a refund, you must be able to answer YES to all 3 of the following
questions:
If you answered YES to all 3 questions above, then you may be due a refund, with 6%
interest, and are urged to send your contact information to the confidential e-mail address:
MyRefund@MassMotorcycle.org
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to deliver your contact information via the United State Postal
Service, please send to:
MMA
ATTN: “MA AGO Insurance Settlement”
PO Box 378
Brimfield, MA 01010
Your Contact Information, which will be shared with the Massachusetts Attorney Generals’
Office (AGO) Insurance & Financial Services Division and the named Insurance Carrier, will
otherwise remain confidential and should include your name, address (past and present),
telephone number, and e-mail information. Please also include information regarding the
year, make, model and VIN# of your insured motorcycle(s).
Please do NOT send any confidential information such as your Drivers’ License
Number, Social Security Number, or other sensitive information as this is NOT necessary.
The MMA is expecting further announcements regarding this settlement which will likely
identify other Insurance Carriers and additional details. The MMA will make this information
available to its membership as soon as it’s available.
For more information or to confidentially submit your information, please see http://www.
massmotorcycle.org or email MyRefund@MassMotorcycle.org
met with representatives of the Massachusetts Attorney Generals’ Office (AGO) Insurance &
Financial Services Division to discuss their recent settlement announcement regarding
overcharging of Motorcycle Insurance Policy holders.
The AGO initiated their investigation of certain Insurance Carriers over a year ago due
to consumer complaints. The results of their investigation were announced to the MMA and
the general public on January 14th and are published on each groups Web Sites. This
initial announcement identified 3 Insurance Carriers who have entered into a settlement with
the AGO’s office. The 3 carriers are:
- Safety Insurance Company (“Safety”)
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (“Liberty”)
- Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company (“Quincy”)
This settlement totals $11.1 million dollars and the goal now is to identify and find all of
the individuals who are due refunds. Refunds originate as far back as 2002 and AGO and
MMA personnel are concerned that riders who are due refunds may have switched carriers
over the years, may have moved, even moving out of state, and the challenge is how to find
these people. The AGO has some information concerning your insurance refunds, but is
looking to collect more information.
“The AGO has reached out to the motorcycling community, through the MMA, out of
concern that the Insurance Companies might not be able to identify and locate all the
riders”, explains MMA Chairman Dave Condon. The AGO contacted the MMA and is
seeking the assistance of the MMA in assuring the correct information is made available as
well with locating and contacting all the riders due refunds.
The MMA cautions its members that there is a lot of misinformation and conjecture
being drawn from prior press releases distributed by other individuals which may slow down
the process of obtaining your money. The MMA apologizes for the delay in disseminating
this information, as others trying to be helpful have taken actions resulting in confusion and
delay. Additional information will be provided as the Attorney General’s Office reaches
agreement with other providers, and all riders are encouraged to contact the MMA directly
for assistance in expediting your refund.
Alternatively, the AGO has worked directly with the Insurance Carriers to establish the
following hotlines:
- Liberty: +1 (800) 569-5411
- Quincy: +1 (800) 899-1116
- Safety: +1 (877) 951-6416
In order to qualify for a refund, you must be able to answer YES to all 3 of the following
questions:
- Did you purchase motorcycle insurance from either Safety, Liberty, or Quincy
Insurance companies? - Did your motorcycle insurance policy contain the Collision or Comprehensive options?
- Did you purchase this optional motorcycle insurance anytime during the years 2002
to the present?
If you answered YES to all 3 questions above, then you may be due a refund, with 6%
interest, and are urged to send your contact information to the confidential e-mail address:
MyRefund@MassMotorcycle.org
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to deliver your contact information via the United State Postal
Service, please send to:
MMA
ATTN: “MA AGO Insurance Settlement”
PO Box 378
Brimfield, MA 01010
Your Contact Information, which will be shared with the Massachusetts Attorney Generals’
Office (AGO) Insurance & Financial Services Division and the named Insurance Carrier, will
otherwise remain confidential and should include your name, address (past and present),
telephone number, and e-mail information. Please also include information regarding the
year, make, model and VIN# of your insured motorcycle(s).
Please do NOT send any confidential information such as your Drivers’ License
Number, Social Security Number, or other sensitive information as this is NOT necessary.
The MMA is expecting further announcements regarding this settlement which will likely
identify other Insurance Carriers and additional details. The MMA will make this information
available to its membership as soon as it’s available.
For more information or to confidentially submit your information, please see http://www.
massmotorcycle.org or email MyRefund@MassMotorcycle.org