RMV Service Center Openings & Changes – June 2020
Over the next few weeks, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change the transactions they are processing.
Revised Class D and M Road Test Information Sheet and Road Test Application
The Class D and M Road Test Information Sheet (RDT101_0620) and the Class D or M Road Test Application (RDT103_0620) have been revised due to road test changes being implemented during the COVID State of Emergency. The revised versions have been posted to the RMV website. Download the Class D or M Road Test Application…
Online Learner’s Permits Exams for Class D & M
Starting June 10th, eligible individuals will have the opportunity to complete the Class D (passenger) or Class M (motorcycle) Learner’s Permit Exams online. To assist them, the RMV has created a job aid (downloadable instruction sheet) with details on what they need to do to successfully schedule and complete an Online Learner’s Permit Exam.
ADA & Website Accessibility: What Agencies Need to Know
Our national association, the IIABA (Big “I”), has alerted MAIA and other state associations that independent agencies in Florida have been receiving legal demand notices alleging that their websites are not accessible for visually impaired customers. [UPDATE July 14, 2020: Massachusetts agencies have also reported receiving similar emails.] Being able to demonstrate your website’s ADA…
Online Renewals for Standard Driver’s Licenses & ID Cards
As of June 4th, the RMV is allowing standard Driver’s Licenses & ID Cards to be renewed using photos that were taken when customers were under 21 years old (as long as the photo was taken less than 14 years ago). The stopper that prevented this has been removed from ATLAS. This change makes more…
25% Capacity Limitations for Essential Businesses
Questions remain about how to interpret the mandatory requirement that all Massachusetts businesses, even those deemed essential, limit their office to “25% occupancy.” According to the state’s written safety standards, the 25% can be based on EITHER the maximum occupancy limits set for your building/space per code – OR – your business’ typical occupancy as…
Dam Failure: A Lurking Flood Menace in MA
You may have heard about the dam failure in Central Michigan last month. 10,000 people evacuated. Roads and bridges closed. Could that happen here in Massachusetts? Unfortunately, yes! According to 2018 statistics from damsafety.org, 817 of the 1431 state-regulated dams in Massachusetts have either a “high” or “significant” hazard potential. (And that’s not counting private…
Tow Behind Camper
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 3, 2020 QUESTION I have a client who is thinking of renting a tow behind RV Camper; would his normal auto policy cover or what does he need to do? Thanks a bunch!
Insured is Driving a Ruckus
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 3, 2020 QUESTION I am sorry to bother you but I can’t put my hands on a tech talk that you sent out regarding the classification of mopeds vs limited use vs motorcycles. One of our young insureds purchased…
RMV Opens Another B2B Center at Boston-Haymarket
As of June 8, the MA RMV service center at Boston (Haymarket) is open for B2B transactions only. This is in addition to the B2B centers at Milford, Wilmington, Attleboro, and Chicopee. You may drop off transactions/bundles at these locations, but will not be allowed to wait for pick-up. New IRP transactions are still being…
Cancel Request Form
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 23, 2020 QUESTION I’m just trying to clear up a dispute I have with another agent. This agent rewrote a flood policy our agency had in place. I requested a cancellation from the new agent. The new agent is…
Producer License Extensions & Online Renewals
The MA Division of Insurance (DOI) has ruled that if your Massachusetts insurance producer license was in good standing when the state of emergency was declared on 3/10/20, it will not expire until 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted (whenever that may be; the Governor has yet to announce it). However, licenses…
IntellAgents Salary Survey – Bridging the Agency Data Gap
“Data” is becoming the key difference between agencies that thrive and those that get left behind. MAIA’s investment in IntellAgents is helping our members bridge the data gap by revealing how you compare with other Massachusetts agencies … starting with the new and improved Salary Survey that answers the age-old question: What are the average…
New Consumer Ad Campaign Coming Soon – Make Sure You Can Get Leads!
Thanks to the generosity of our company sponsors, MAIA will soon release our new 2020 ad campaign on a variety of digital channels, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more. The ads will target “adult mindset millennials” in Massachusetts, whose age, education, income, and life stage make them likely to need insurance, and unlikely to have…
Offer Home Business Insurance to Teachers and Tutors
The coronavirus pandemic has created a new educational landscape, and independent home-based teachers/tutors have a large role to play in helping students and families keep up with learning demands. Whether teaching in person or virtually, an independent teacher who owns their own business should have coverage for property and liability exposures. Offer them an RLI…
Member Survey Indicates Massachusetts Agents Expecting Declines in Commission Revenue
MAIA recently conducted a member survey to learn how agencies are operating during COVID-19, whether they had received stimulus money, if they were anticipating layoffs or drops in commission revenue, and so on. We wanted to know more about how independent agents have been faring, and how MAIA’s assistance can be most effective. We’re grateful…
Trailer Converted to Portable BAR
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 24, 2020 QUESTION Any input on this situation would be appreciated. A client bought a horse trailer and is converting it into a portable bar. She will take it to events (private wedding in a yard) and serve alcohol.…
Agents Beware – COVID-19 Brings Out the Worst in Some Direct Writers
A MAIA member whose agency is on the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system alerted us to a disturbing trend that’s become more common during the COVID-19 crisis. At least one of the online direct writers (one of the BIG GUY companies) has been selling auto policies, but can’t get new plates for the customers. Their…