Webinar: “Web X” – The Big Umbrella Policy for Personal & Commercial Exposures
In last week’s issue of The MassAgent, we introduced The Big Umbrella – a single policy from wholesale broker Anderson & Murison (A&M) that recently became available in MA. The Big Umbrella “Web X” product covers both personal & business exposures for business owners, practitioners, multi-property owners, and independent contractors. If you’d like to learn…
Time to Promote Flood Awareness AND Flood Insurance
Noting that Massachusetts has the highest number of repetitive loss properties in New England due to inland and coastal flooding, Governor Baker has proclaimed September Flood Awareness Month. It’s no secret that hurricanes and Nor’easters repeatedly threaten MA residents’ lives, businesses, and property. Help spread awareness by sharing the resources at floodawareness.org with your clients…
New Pre & Post Drop Off Information Sheets at RMV Drop Off Centers
As of September 18th, the MA RMV is using two new information sheets for customers at Registration Drop Off Centers. One for is PRE drop off, to explain how the drop off centers work; and the other is for POST drop off, to explain the next steps.
MAIA ‘Train the Trainer’ Session Happening 10/27 – Still Accepting Applications
MAIA’s Education team is known for providing high quality programs, thanks to our amazing instructors – and we are always looking for more. If you are not just knowledgeable about insurance, but also have great people skills and a knack for teaching, consider applying! We already have some great instructor candidates in the pipeline, and…
Sign Up for ePayPolicy Digital Payments & Get 2 Months Free!
Say goodbye to paper checks and hello to digital payments! You know you’ve been thinking about it…especially since COVID-19. And now’s the perfect time! MAIA has worked with our preferred digital payment processor, ePayPolicy, to offer our members two (2) months for free! They’ll set your agency up with a digital, branded payment page that allows…
Webinar: 8 Agency Website Must-Haves (+ FREE Digital Review)
With so much business being conducted online, it’s essential that your website represents the agency well and makes it easy for customers to engage with you regarding policy decisions. Trusted Choice® and Forge3 have teamed up to present a free webinar, 8 Agency Website Must-Haves, on September 24th at 2 pm. As an added bonus,…
A Hospitality Resource for Your Restaurant Clients
Bar and restaurant owners have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19, and may be looking for guidance wherever they can find it. Your agency can offer that guidance by sharing articles from Hospitality Insurance Group’s LinkedIn page. Use this tasty resource as an entrée to talk to current or prospective clients about Hospitality liquor liability…
COVID-19 Creates Need for Workers’ Comp & Home Business Insurance
People’s work, school, and home lives are overlapping more than ever, and many are making lifestyle changes that affect their insurance needs. We’re seeing two COVID-19-related trends in particular: more families hiring private nannies (requiring workers’ comp), and more teachers/tutors working out of their homes (requiring business coverage). Through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency, you…
Nantucket RMV Now Open / Worcester RMV to Change Hours
Over the next few weeks, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change their hours.
RMV Pilots a Drop Off Center Escalation Process
Effective September 8th, the Haverhill and Wilmington Registration Drop Off Centers will pilot a new escalation process for work that was previously submitted, was not completed, and was issued an Application Status Letter. This will streamline the process for runners and agents and ensure returned work is completed in a timely fashion. There will be…
New 7D Registration Requirements in Effect
New requirements have taken effect for school pupil transport (7D) vehicles. These include changes to the vehicle requirements and the registration process.
RMV Gender Designation Change Policy
Applicants requesting a change of gender designation DO NOT need ANY supporting documents. These applicants must be treated with the same respect and courtesy to which any RMV applicant for any transaction is entitled.
MAP Forms
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 15, 2020 QUESTION We are adding forms to a new system. Among them are three forms that have not received requests for. They are MPY-0028-S 01 89 Other Optional Insurance –Fire, Lightening and Transportation MPY-0029-S 01 89 Other Optional Insurance…
Personal Trailer/Insurance
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 16, 2020 QUESTION We write a commercial account and a personal lines auto twist question has come up and I’d like to run it by you for some help. I’m not deeply versed in personal lines so reaching out to…
COI Question
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 19, 2020 QUESTION We had a contractor do some work for us. I neglected to request a COI prior to the job. (I know I know ). There was no issue. Happy with the work. I just want a COI…
Live Classes Return to Milford – Starting Next Week!
Strict safety protocols are in place, our building is sanitized and rearranged for plenty of personal space, and our instructors are ready to inform and enlighten you… in person! MAIA’s gone above and beyond to keep us all as safe as possible as we ease back into live learning. If you’ve been missing the classroom…
Thinking of Hiring a New Producer? Watch This Video
Navigating the cost of hiring a new producer is no small feat. Whether the person will be on the road or in the office selling insurance, the upfront costs of that new hire can cause a strain on your agency’s cash flow. In this video, InsurBanc’s Patricia Smith explains how an Agency Producer Development Loan…
Near, Far, Wherever You Are – Flood Can Happen!
Celine Dion may live on, but when it comes to flood, can your insureds live with the thousands of dollars in damage a single flood can cause to their home? Or, can you live with knowing you could have offered them flood insurance, but they had no coverage when the flood struck? (Not to mention,…
Motorcycle Question
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 21, 2020 QUESTION This question came up and I was wondering what your thoughts were. Where the companies are charging different rates for motorcycles and there are different date first licensed on bikes…etc If my customer only had a auto…
CARVANA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 21, 2020 QUESTION Got a Carvana question for you. Our insured is buying a vehicle from Carvana and getting new plates. They are telling our agency that section K5 on the RTA (Policy Change Date) must be completed. We are…
RMV Error: Titles Printed Twice
MA RMV customers or business partners who were mailed a Certificate of Title printed on 7/21/2020 received two titles with the same information and title number. The Registry is sending a letter to the 748 affected customers, instructing them to destroy one of the copies of the title. The letter is being mailed to the…
Ceded MA Auto – Waiver of Subrogation
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 22, 2020 QUESTION We continue to run into an issue where our ceded auto carrier will not provide a waiver of subrogation. Do you know if ceded carriers can refuse to add this endorsement in MA? Any alternative suggestions for…
Travel Trailer
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 24, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that works for a business and is allowed to use one of the business vehicles for her own personal use. This client just purchased a 20’ travel trailer but needs an insurance stamp…
Dealer Plate
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 28, 2020 QUESTION I just picked up a high net worth client. As I was doing my review the client mentioned that he has almost 50 high end and exotic cars. They are titled to him, but not registered or…
WCRIBMA Adds New Features to Class Code Lookup Tool
Agents who write workers’ comp will appreciate the recent enhancements to WCRIBMA’s Class Code Lookup Tool. In addition to the associated phraseologies and current and historical rating information for each class code, users can now get a full description of the operations covered under each classification; all of the applicable filed and approved footnotes that…
Watch Your Website Language! It Could Lead to an E&O Claim (YES, REALLY!)
Warning: The language you use on your website might be used against you in an E&O claim! We have to admit, we at MAIA’s Number One Agency didn’t take this all that seriously, even when we shared the article below in The Mass Agent’s May 5th edition. But we’ve had a couple of recent wakeup…
RV for Commercial Use
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 29, 2020 QUESTION We have a commercial real estate client that is buying an RV to use for the real estate business. They are going to set it up as a mobile office, so the RV will be wrapped advertising…
Help Your Clients Save Lives AND Money with Crash Prevention Training
In Control is a nonprofit organization offering state-certified, closed-course, hands-on crash prevention training that helps save lives and lessen claims. MAIA has made arrangements for In Control to provide our members with promotional materials that you can share with your clients. Starting with back-to-school driving tips (available now), In Control’s content offers a timely touch…
New Vehicle Purchase/Loan Pay Off
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 30, 2020 QUESTION One of my account managers has a situation. I know we have provided the correct info but just wanted to run by you… We have a client who is purchasing a vehicle through private sale. The SELLER…
Wednesdays in September for Age 75+ License/ID Renewals
Five of the MA RMV service center locations will be reserving Wednesdays in September exclusively for “Senior License Renewal” appointments. Customers 75 years of age or older whose licenses or IDs expire in September are eligible, including those whose licenses/IDs expired in March, April, or May but were extended until September. Hours and start dates…
North Adams RMV Opening for Registration Drop-Offs; Pittsfield & Haymarket Changing Hours
The following RMV Service Centers are either opening for certain transactions or changing their hours:
Cancellations
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 5, 2020 QUESTION I need your help, I have an insured that got cancelled and then reinstated with the finance company. The carrier once they received the reinstatement decided to not reinstate due to poor payment history and claims. My…
Driving Records
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 13, 2020 QUESTION I insure a business looking to add an employee as a driver, but the employee’s personal insurance agent refuses to give him a print out of his own driving record. Is there something you can share with…
Vehicle in name of a Trust
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 7, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured who is requesting to transfer their auto title to a trust? Is that possible, and if so, how do we go about doing that?
GAP Insurance
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 11, 2020 QUESTION I’m thinking of leasing a new Ford. The dealership told me that Gap insurance was mandatory and they would include it in the lease payments since “Gap is included to protect Cab East LLC the leasing wing…