Massachusetts Insurance Board of Appeals to be closed

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.