The Globe finally covers Nonnie Burnes canning the insurance board of appeals, thus making it impossible to challenge decisions by the insurance companies as to whether a collision was at-fault and thus surchargeable. Nonnie's stance? Why, just switch if you don't like your insurance company's decision. The Globe of course glosses over contract early termination charges, employer discounts, loyalty discounts, and the huge inconvenience- something multiple commenters on the story didn't. NECN noticed Nonnie's declaration last month, and makes it clearer that this is almost entirely an edict from Ms. Burnes.

Commisioner Nonnie S. Burnes is closing it, saying that consumers must pay "hefty fees"($50, which earns the state $2,500,000 a year) and "wait up to two years". So, will the board stop accepting new claims and work through that two year backlog since Nonnie's pulling the "in the best interests of the consumer" card? Or will it throw two years of claims into the trash (and keep the $50 fees?) Or does this two year backlog not exist?

Her solution: If you don't feel a surcharge point is fair, cancel your insurance and go with another carrier. The magical SDIP Fairy will waive her wand and make your new insurance carrier ignore that surchargeable incident.

That seems unlikely, given that after deregulation, 3/4 of the insurance policy holders in MA never bothered to find cheaper insurance. There are some interesting comments on that story, especially from a reader who claims to have gone from a $3600/year bill to $900/year with a move to Illinois- with more coverage.

Oh, my, we've got ourselves a big ol' giant ball o' political fun today! From our newest Democratic gubernatorial candidate to health care to a Republican blogger issuing a press release about a post complaining about a post on Deval Patrick's Web site, there's something for everyone. Oh, and we almost forgot: Smoki Bacon is involved! Let's have at it:

Newly arrived from California, Susan quickly gets lessons in how our fair state's insurance and mass-transit systems really work. First, she's forced to lie about where she got her car, because it was a gift from her aunt and the official form for insurance doesn't list "aunt" as a family member from whom gifts are acceptable:

... I was confused, as I listened to two insurance professionals loudly discuss how to violate insurance law. I mean, granted, Massachusetts seems to have an inordinate number of rules and regulations, but I assumed that was because people LIKED rules and regulations. This appears not to be the case. ...

But for true fun, read her account of trying to buy a T pass.

Globe: Romney eyes penalties for those lacking insurance (More from the horse's mouth here).

David: How will it be enforced?

... Will police officers hand out tickets to people who cannot produce a valid health insurance card when stopped at random on the streets? What will be the penalty for disobeying this new law - jail time? a fine? harassing phone calls from some state insurance administrator? If someone who is in violation of this law has an accident and requires emergency medical care, what will happen? ...

Ben: I think Mitt Romney may have actually lost his mind.

Charley: Mitt did something -- not enough, but something -- right today.

Sco: I'm glad that the Governor wants everyone in Massachusetts to have health coverage:

... I'm just skeptical of a plan that could end up punishing people because they couldn't afford health care and if underfunded could be even worse than doing nothing.