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DIFDESIGN

Is Your Cyber Data Protected?

Is Your Cyber Data Protected? It may be Star Wars Day, but cyber-attacks and data breaches happen every minute, every day across the country. Taking the right steps to protect your data is key, and with Cyber Insurance – it can help cover the unexpected costs and hassles when it strikes. With carriers offering an array of…

Registration Decal Shortage

Registration Decal Shortage Due to a supply chain issue with the RMV’s vendor that produces their ‘24’ registration decals, beginning April 27th, there will be a delay in mailing registrations to customers who renew online or by mail.  Instead of their registration and decal being mailed in 7-10 business days, it will take a little…

Revised Road Test Application and Information Sheet

Revised Road Test Application and Information Sheet Beginning Monday, May 2nd, all applicants for a Class D Road Test will need to bring their own vehicle that meets the RMV’s requirements. As a reminder, the use of face coverings is strongly encouraged, but not required, for all vehicle occupants during the road test. The Class D…

Revised Road Test Application and Information Sheet

Revised Road Test Application and Information Sheet Beginning Monday, May 2nd, all applicants for a Class D Road Test will need to bring their own vehicle that meets the RMV’s requirements. As a reminder, the use of face coverings is strongly encouraged, but not required, for all vehicle occupants during the road test. The Class D…

Duplicate Permit

Question Duplicate Permit:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: We have an insured that ordered a duplicate permit for his son months ago and still has not received it. Would appreciate any information that you can provide regarding the status from Mass DOT. Please let me know…

WCRIBMA’s Circular Letters No. 2398, No. 2399 and No. 2400

WCRIBMA’s Circular Letters No. 2398, No. 2399 and No. 2400 The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Circular Letter No. 2398, dated April 22, 2022, and titled  General Revision of Rates, Effective July 1, 2022 Applicable to New and Renewal Business, Circular Letter No. 2399, dated April 22, 2022, and titled  Changes in Manual Rates by…

Special Salvage Inspection Requirement

Special Salvage Inspection Requirement The RMV has determined that a number of vehicles were issued a Certificate of Title that should have contained a “Salvage” brand and the vehicle should have undergone a Salvage Inspection prior to being registered. Beginning April 22, 2022, these vehicles had a Special Salvage Inspection Requirement added to their ATLAS…

Special Salvage Inspection Requirement

Special Salvage Inspection Requirement The RMV has determined that a number of vehicles were issued a Certificate of Title that should have contained a “Salvage” brand and the vehicle should have undergone a Salvage Inspection prior to being registered. Beginning April 22, 2022, these vehicles had a Special Salvage Inspection Requirement added to their ATLAS…

Glass Loss- Non-Admitted Carrier

Question Glass Loss- Non-Admitted Carrier – This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: I have a situation with Auto Dealer and a glass claim under there dealers physical damage comprehensive coverage. We wrote a stand-alone dealers physical damage policy with a carrier non admitted carrier out of Texas. Recently…

Policy Cancellation and HHM License Suspension

Question Policy Cancellation & HHM License Suspension:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: We’re looking to find out if a carrier can cancel an auto policy immediately if a Junior Operator’s license is suspended Answer Kathy Cormier:  The 2016 MAP has this language in the cancellation section and…

Road Test Program – Face Covering Guidance

Road Test Program – Face Covering Guidance Affective 4/19/22 – The TSA is no longer enforcing a mask mandate. Therefore, effective immediately, the use of face coverings is strongly encouraged, but not required, for examiners, applicants, and sponsors during road tests. Sufficient mask supplies exist, so Road Test Examiners may continue to offer masks to…

Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – April 2022

Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – April 2022 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Company Filing Date/Rate Impact Berkley Insurance Co. Rate/Rule 07/18/22 New 10/16/22 Renew +1% Preferred Mutual Form/Rate/Rule 06/01/22…

Make Your Voice Heard to Ensure Appropriate Representation on CAR Governing Committee!

Make Your Voice Heard to Ensure Appropriate Representation on CAR Governing Committee! In our continued effort to pursue every avenue to pass legislation important to Massachusetts’ Independent Agents, Representative Mike Finn filed Amendment #515 to the House Budget. The language of this amendment mirrors MAIA’s Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers bill. As you know, this is a technical correction…

Road Test Program – Face Covering Guidance

Road Test Program – Face Covering Guidance Affective 4/19/22 – The TSA is no longer enforcing a mask mandate. Therefore, effective immediately, the use of face coverings is strongly encouraged, but not required, for examiners, applicants, and sponsors during road tests. Sufficient mask supplies exist, so Road Test Examiners may continue to offer masks to…

Make Your Voice Heard to Ensure Appropriate Representation on CAR Governing Committee!

Make Your Voice Heard to Ensure Appropriate Representation on CAR Governing Committee! In our continued effort to pursue every avenue to pass legislation important to Massachusetts’ Independent Agents, Representative Mike Finn filed Amendment #515 to the House Budget. The language of this amendment mirrors MAIA’s Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers bill. As you know, this is a technical correction…

Tech Talk: Property Policies and Fuel Oil Escape Losses

Tech Talk: Property Policies and Fuel Oil Escape Losses Irene L. Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, MLIS, CPIW VP Technical Affairs, MAIA   Based on the recent fuel oil escape catastrophe at a personal residence located in Wareham, MA the “lack of coverage issue” is rearing its ugly head again. This particular fuel…

School Bus Conversion and Plate Type

Question   School Bus Conversion and Plate Type This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 6, 2021: I have an insured that purchased a school bus. They intend to use it for personal use only. Am I able to obtain a private passenger plate for this? Auto home…

7D½ Vehicles Cannot Be Registered with SPN Plates

7D½ Vehicles Cannot Be Registered with SPN Plates 7D½ vehicles are used exclusively to transport vocational school students to and from a job site.  Massachusetts law (540 CMR 2.04(3)) has been changed to prohibit 7D½ vehicles from being registered with School Pupil (SPN) plates. The vehicles can be registered with a personal Passenger Plate or,…