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RMV Checks Should Be Made Out to MassDOT

RMV Checks Should Be Made Out to MassDOT   Checks or money orders provided to the RMV by customers should be made out to MassDOT. Certain other names are acceptable if the check or money order has already been written. However, it must be one of the names on the following list: Commonwealth of Massachusetts…

CDL Medical Certificates Extension

CDL Medical Certificates Extension The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). Certificates that expire between March 1, 2021 and August 30, 2021 will expire on August 31, 2021. The RMV has updated customer records in ATLAS. Affected customers will receive an email informing…

Reminder: RMV Can’t Process Incomplete RTAs

Reminder: RMV Can’t Process Incomplete RTAs MAIA has learned that RMV Service Centers are still receiving a lot of incomplete Registration and Title Applications (RTAs). They really are working hard to process agent transactions quickly, but if the package is incomplete, they have to bounce it back! We’ve provided a link to the RTA Instruction…

Form 2290 No Longer Required for Initial Heavy Highway Vehicle Registrations

Form 2290 No Longer Required for Initial Heavy Highway Vehicle Registrations Effective immediately, proof of Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax payment (IRS Form 2290/ Schedule 1) for vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more is NOT required for initial vehicle registrations. It is only required during registration renewals. This reverses a…

CAR Votes to Raise Agent Commissions for Taxi, Limousine & Car Service Classifications

Another “pocketbook win” win for MA agents! The Governing Committee of the Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) has voted to raise and set the agents’ commission rate for the Taxi, Limousine and Car Service classifications to 8.34% of premium! This will be a significant increase from the 2020 rate year commissions, which were just 2.37% of…

MAIA Joins MA Business Coalition to Help Address Skills/Talent Gap

We are pleased to announce that MAIA has joined the Massachusetts Business Coalition on Skills (MBCS). The MCBS is a partnership of MA chambers of commerce and business associations, whose goal is to originate and advocate for statewide policies to ensure that every MA resident can acquire the skills needed to thrive in their careers,…

We Hear Your Registry Concerns and We’re On It!

Many members have contacted MAIA to express frustration with the COVID-related changes at RMV service centers. Common complaints include agents/runners having to travel unreasonable distances to designated drop-off centers; not being able to process live transactions and review documentation; inaccurate pickup notifications; and the return to the 7-day transfer law when the RMV system cannot…

What Policy Pays – Owner or Driver

Question What Policy Pays – Owner or Driver? This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 18, 2021 If a person driving another person’s vehicle (with their own insurance), has a fender bender, is it the driver’s insurance that the claim would be filed or the vehicle insurance? …

Garaging for Commercial Vehicles

Question Garaging for Commercial Vehicles This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effecton June 10, 2021 I wanted to see if you or someone in your office knows the answer to this.  We have a client who has his commercial vehicles garaged in Bellingham in the registry.  His mailing address…

MAP and Listed Home Health Aids

Question MAP and Listed Home Health Aids This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 10, 2021 Please clarify, we have an insured that has aids which are listed drivers under the automobile policy.  They are full time and or part time employees of the named insured and there…

Cannabis Couriers and Operators

Question Cannabis Couriers and Operators This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 14, 2021 Hope this email finds you well.  Regarding insurance how are Cannabis Couriers and operators treated? Are couriers TCN’s? Are Couriers and Operators considered commercial? Do you need commercial plates or livery plates? What insurance…

Damage to a Loaner Vehicle

Question Damage to a Loaner Vehicle This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 14, 2021 We have a client who took his 07 Infiniti to a dealer to be worked on.  The dealership gave him a “loaner” vehicle to use in place of the 07 Infiniti.  Insured got…

Out-of-State Vehicle Purchase (3)

Question Out of State Vehicle Purchase This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 14, 2021 Good Morning Irene, I have an insured who just purchased a vehicle in GA and wants to drive it back to MA.  The dealer there gave him all the paperwork and temporary plates. …

Maine Registered Trailers (2)

Question Maine Registered Trailers This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 15, 2021 I have an insured who has a boat trailer and plans to register the trailer in Maine with Maine recreational trailer plates. The insured plans to pull the trailer with his Truck that is registered…

Operator Exclusion (4)

Question Operator Exclusion This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 19, 2021 Could you please confirm If the company pulls up a household member and there is no license so you need to exclude them does that exclude them only as a driver or does it exclude them…

Umbrella (3)

Question Umbrella This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 19, 2021 Insured doesn’t have a personal auto. They only have a commercial auto. If they have DOC on the commercial auto, will the personal umbrella respond to a claim? Answer Irene Morrill:  That is a question that you have…

Diminished Value (2)

Question Diminished Value This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 21, 2021 Does the insurance carrier have to pay diminished value on a vehicle especially if it is a leased vehicle and they are telling the insured they are responsible for that amount when vehicle is turned in?…

Commercial Auto Cancellation

Question Commercial Auto Cancellations This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 26, 2021 Everyone in our office believed that you could cancel an auto policy (personal or commercial) within the first 30 days and it would be prorated.  We did cancel a client’s Commercial auto policy within the…