Reopening: Template for Creating Written Control Plan
All businesses in the state of MA (including those deemed essential, such as insurance agencies) are required to develop a written control plan outlining how the workplace will comply with the mandatory safety standards for operation in the COVID-19 reopening period. The state has created a template that may be filled out to meet that…
DOI Calls for Carrier Flexibility in the Administration of Vacancy Clauses
The Division of Insurance (DOI) has issued Bulletin 2020-17, dated May 18, 2020, which acknowledges the fact that many MA businesses not deemed essential were required to close, and advising all property and casualty carriers in MA that they “should be looking for all ways to be flexible in counting days of vacancy to provide…
We Know Flood Insurance & We Can Help You!
Warning! Heavy rains are on the radar, especially this time of year! Anywhere it rains – it can flood. Are your insureds ready and protected with this important coverage? Do you offer flood to every insured? Why do we ask? Consider these statistics:
Mortgagee Question
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 14, 2020 QUESTION I hope all is well with you. Hoping you can shed some light as I’ve been going back and forth with insured and bank on this. Bank is requesting to be listed as a Mortgagee for…
Registry News: RMV is Defining Its New Normal & Your Feedback Can Help
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is currently looking at all of its workflow processes to determine what the “new normal” will look like as Massachusetts moves toward reopening. MAIA spoke with the RMV and learned that there will be both short- and long-term changes, but these are still in the discussion stage. Rest…
Operators and the MAP
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 15, 2020 QUESTION We have a potential client that bought a car for his grandson but kept it in his own name until grandson was 18. About 9 months after grandson got his license he was in an accident…
Pre-Existing Damage
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION First and foremost, hope you are all safe… if not sane! Irene, as I texted you this morning, thanks for calling me back and leaving a voicemail yesterday, so sorry I missed you. Given you are…
Voluntary Revocation of Operating Authority: Q&A from FMCSA
Many companies that operate apportioned, plated tractor trailers registered under IRP have suspended operations, and may be considering voluntary revocation of their operating authority. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received numerous questions about this, and agents may be getting questions about the related insurance ramifications. The FMCSA has created a Q&A sheet,…
IRP Renewal Typo
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION One of my customers received an IRP renewal application to be completed in May. The application is calling for the actual mileage from 7/1/19 to 6/30/2020. If the insured is suppose to return the application before…
Extension on 7 Day Law
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION We were wondering whether the police and the registry are enforcing the 7 day plate registration transfer law. Dealers that aren’t on the drive program are having a very difficult time getting appointments for their transfers.…
Reopening Guidelines & Safety Standards for Massachusetts
This week, Governor Baker released a phased approach for reopening the Massachusetts economy. As ‘essential’ businesses, insurance agencies have been allowed to remain open as long as they adhere to Massachusetts’ mandatory safety standards for workplaces, including social distancing measures. Nevertheless, many agencies have chosen to close their physical premises and limit customer contact. MAIA…
PIP and Med Pay
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION A client, a personal injury attorney, requested we remove $25000 of Medical Payment coverage from her auto policy because her company (Travelers) would not provide Medical payment until…..coverage was exhausted from PIP, her Personal Health policy,…
Tech Talk: Will This COVID-19 Good Deed Hurt Your Customer?
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Registry News: Springfield B2B Service Moving to Chicopee
Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and in an effort to continue protecting RMV staff, customers, and business partners, the RMV is moving B2B service for Western Massachusetts to the Chicopee RMV Service Center, effective Monday, May 18. In following ‘social-distancing’ practices, the Chicopee RMV will exclusively perform drop-off B2B transactions / bundles only …
Registry News: Registration Renewals & Reactivations for Secondary Vehicles
CORRECTION The original RMV handout on Renewing and Reactivating Registrations had an incorrect mailing zip code. If you are mailing a Registration and Title Application (RTA) to the RMV, the correct address is: Registry of Motor VehiclesP.O. Box 55895Boston, MA 02205-5895The correct information is reflected in this revised handout. Registration renewals and reactivations for secondary vehicles such as…
Share Your Opinions with Governor’s Reopening Advisory Board
Last week, Governor Charlie Baker announced the creation of a Reopening Advisory Board to help his administration develop strategies to reopen the economy in phases, based on health and safety metrics. They have posted an online form for those who want to share input with the Advisory Board. Your comments will be reviewed and taken into…
DOI Allows Temporary Insurance Producer Licenses with No Exam
With insurance producer license exams suspended due to COVID-19, some eligible applicants were unable to obtain a license in Massachusetts. In response, the MA Division of Insurance (DOI) has authorized the issuance of temporary individual insurance producer licenses without requiring an exam. The temporary policy is effective immediately and will extend until after the State…