RMV Postpones USDOT Number Requirement on Some Commercial Vehicles
RMV Postpones USDOT Number Requirement on Some Commercial Vehicles The December 16 deadline we reported last week has passed, but the RMV has extended the deadline, which means that commercial vehicles under 10,001 lbs. and personal vehicles over 10,001 lbs. will NOT require a USDOT Number to register until early next year. The RMV will…
DOT Number Recipients Getting Fraudulent Marketing Calls
DOT Number Recipients Getting Fraudulent Marketing Calls The Problem: When your client secures a USDOT number, it becomes public record and there are companies out there that will immediately begin aggressively and fraudulently marketing to them, trying to get the client to pay them hundreds of dollars “to be in compliance” with federal regulations.
Victory – No More Duplicative Anti-Arson Forms
Victory – No More Duplicative Anti-Arson Forms Dear Members: I am pleased to report a significant win for our Association and the independent agents, carriers, and consumers of the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) has removed the requirement to complete a supplemental (and duplicative) anti-arson form when applying for fire insurance. (Read DOI…
Tech Talk: “I Don’t NEED Much Liability Insurance … and Certainly Not an Umbrella!”
Tech Talk: “I Don’t NEED Much Liability Insurance … and Certainly Not an Umbrella!” By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Streaming E&O Class on 1/15 Qualifies for Swiss Re Loss Control Credits
Streaming E&O Class on 1/15 Qualifies for Swiss Re Loss Control Credits MAIA’s Number One Agency is happy to share one of the exciting changes in MAIA’s 2020 Education schedule: a new live stream class called “E&O Changes” with the latest policies and practices to help your agency staff manage E&O risks. The first class…
RMV to Host ATLAS Webinar on Wednesday
RMV to Host ATLAS Webinar on Wednesday The RMV is hosting an ATLAS webinar for Insurance Agents on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST.
Why Truck Owners with Commercial Plates Should Renew NOW!
Why Truck Owners with Commercial Plates Should Renew NOW! As of December 16, 2019, ATLAS will require USDOT numbers for every commercial registration in order to renew. This new RMV practice affects two vehicle categories that are NOT required to have USDOT numbers: 1) trucks that are used in commerce in MA but weigh under…
2020 To-Do List: Refresh Your Benefits & Retirement Plans
2020 To-Do List: Refresh Your Benefits & Retirement Plans A fresh, new year is a great time for a fresh look at your employee benefits, long-term care, and retirement options. As a MAIA and Big “I” member, you have access to Group Health, Dental, and Vision through MAIA’s Number One Agency, and Group Term Life,…
Agency Owners: Are You Ignoring These 7 Risks to Your Business?
Agency Owners: Are You Ignoring These 7 Risks to Your Business? Oftentimes, agency owners are so focused on their clients’ needs that they neglect their own, placing their business at increased risk. In case you missed it, a recent issue of The Standard featured an article by InsurBanc’s David Tralka discussing seven risks you need…
MAIA’s Inclement Weather Policy for Education Programs – Updated
MAIA’s Inclement Weather Policy for Education Programs – Updated
What the New Hands-Free Driving Law Means for Your Clients
What the New Hands-Free Driving Law Means for Your Clients Here are a few details that your MA auto clients should know about the new Hands-Free Driving Law: It takes effect February 23, 2020. It will be illegal for drivers to do anything other than tap their cellphone once to activate hands-free mode – and…
Driver’s Manual Updated
Driver’s Manual Updated A new 11/2019 Driver’s Manual (English version) is now in the RMV warehouse and will soon be distributed to all RMV Service Centers. It is already available on the RMV website (www.mass.gov/rmv). The new version has a burgundy cover that features an image of cars driving down a country road.
CAR Updates Manual of Administrative Procedures
CAR Updates Manual of Administrative Procedures Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) has released Bulletin No. 1092-Updates to the Manual of Administrative Procedures, announcing that the manual has been updated to reflect changes in the following sections: Chapter I-Overview; Chapter II- Servicing Carrier Appointment; Chapter III; Servicing Carrier Responsibilities; and Chapter X- Servicing Carrier and Exclusive Representative…
CAR Electrical Shutdown, December 11 at 2:00 PM
CAR Electrical Shutdown, December 11 at 2:00 PM Due to a planned electrical shutdown in its data center, CAR’s websites, mainframe, and telephones will be unavailable on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, from 2:00 PM to approximately 6:00 PM. During the shutdown, producers will be unable to process any policy applications or make any assignments through…
Tech Talk: Loss Assessment … Coverage … E&O … Ethics Dilemma
Tech Talk: Loss Assessment … Coverage … E&O … Ethics Dilemma By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
WCRIBMA’s Special Bulletin No. 11-19
WCRIBMA’s Special Bulletin No. 11-19 The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Special Bulletin No. 11-19, dated November 19, 2019, and titled 2018 Voluntary Assessable Premium. To access this Special Bulletin, please use the following link:
Title & Lienholder Inquiry Changed Back to The “Old” Way
Title & Lienholder Inquiry Changed Back to The “Old” Way The RMV recently released this statement: “We understand that a recent change to title inquiries through our Online Service Center may have made it difficult for you to obtain necessary information from the RMV. Prior to our new system implementation (ATLAS Release 2) on November 12, users…
ATLAS Q&A, Straight from the RMV (UPDATED)
ATLAS Q&A, Straight from the RMV (UPDATED) UPDATED Q&A as of 12/9/19!(Includes all previous questions, plus several new ones.) CLICK IMAGE: MAIA’s Member Relations Advocate Kathy Cormier continues to field your ATLAS questions, seeking clarity from the MA RMV as needed. She has updated the list of ATLAS Q&As, and created a downloadable PDF that…