Bus Converted to Motor Home
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 28, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured who is buying this 2010 Ford 450 Van ( it is actually a bus) he is actually converting it into a driveable motor home. Our question is we are trying to at least…
Senior Hours Extended Through November & December
Dedicated Wednesday appointment hours for customers 75 years of age or older to renew their expired license or ID card have been extended through the end of the year. These appointments will be available to customers 75 years of age or older whose driver’s license or ID card expires in September, October, November, and December,…
Pending Cancellation/Stamping RTA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 24, 2020 QUESTION I am hoping you can help. We had previously been advised (not by you) that if we are asked to stamp registrations while a policy is pending cancellation for nonpayment or any other reason (commercial or personal),…
Tech Talk: The Sudden Surge in E-Bike, Electric Scooter, Moped, and Motor Scooter Ownership
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs First …don’t forget our annual convention! MAIA’s Big Event 2020 Conference & Trade Fair is happening November 5th and 6th. There’s a new twist – it’s VIRTUAL! Take a look … some really great stuff you don’t want to miss!
Dates for Insurance/RTA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 02, 2020 QUESTION Hope you’re doing well. Sometimes the longer I’m in insurance the less I know! Clarification please! Vehicle sale Date vs Date RTA stamped by Agent vs effective date of endorsement We stamp the RTA the date we…
Out-of-State Temporary Registrations
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 02, 2020 QUESTION I’ve recently had a couple of customers come in that had been using temporary plates for cars purchased outside of Massachusetts. Are they considered legal in ma? Are there any exclusions on ma auto policy that we…
Dump Truck – Personal Use
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION We have a customer who bought a dump truck for personal use between his two properties. My understanding is that because of the dump body he still needs commercial plates. Others say that has changed and he…
CDL Medical Certificate Waiver Extension
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). This waiver extends the expiration date of CDL Medical Certificates as follows:
Newspaper Delivery
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION Is a vehicle (2003 Subaru Outback) that an insured uses to deliver newspapers eligible to be written on the Mass Personal Auto Policy? It is currently with Pilgrim Insurance through MAIP and they have issued a cancellation…
Replacement Plates
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION I have an Insured who went to get his vehicle inspected and was rejected for his Green Plate . Inspection site told him to contact his Insurance Agent they would take care of it ….. I did…
Those TV Screens in the RMV? You Can Advertise on Them
MAIA has learned of a unique advertising opportunity that we want to pass along to our members. Motor Vehicle Network (MVN), the supplier of the news and information you see on the TV displays in RMV waiting rooms, has sponsorship opportunities available at some of its Massachusetts RMV locations. Their package includes ad creation, revisions,…
Snow Plowing & Plate Type
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION Quick question does my insured who has a private passenger auto policy need commercial normal plates on his truck if he plows?
3rd. Party Rental
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION If my insured was in a car accident and he doesn’t have rental can an insurance company who is at fault say they want to fix everything in order to give my insured a rental or can…
Reservation Alerts on MyRMV Profile
When customers make a service center reservation through their MyRMV profile online, an alert now displays at the top of their MyRMV profile. The alert states “You have an upcoming appointment,” and clicking on the link will give customers their appointment details. Note: The alert will not display if the reservation was made outside the…
RMV’s I-Pay-Tax-Program is Online Only
The I-Pay-Tax-Program is used to report someone who may be evading taxes by registering their vehicle in another state. Effective immediately, complaints can only be filed online at Mass.Gov/RMV. The I-Pay-Tax Complaint Form (REG121) is no longer used and has been removed from the website. If you have any printed copies, please recycle/destroy them. Learn…
RMV Service Centers
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION Is the RMV allowing agents to appear at the registry on behalf of their clients to process a transaction if an appointment is made or must the client appear? Thank you.
Value for Sales Tax
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a question once of my insured’s is trying to register a 1956 Ford Thunderbird. The registry came back with a book value Of $31,400. Where do they get the book value when I tried pulling…
Consumer RMV Contact for Drop Off Centers
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION Do you have a resource a client can use to follow up on an issue resulting from using the RMV drop off locations. We have tried to call the RMV. After sitting on the phone for 3…
SPECIAL UPDATE! Massachusetts Extends Insurance Licenses Through End of 2020
There has been some confusion about license extensions due to COVID-19, and today (Wed., October 7, 2020) the MA Division of Insurance (DOI) issued Bulletin 2020-29 that clarifies the situation. The Bulletin states that all MA insurance licenses that were in good standing as of March 10, 2020, will remain in effect through December 31,…
New Law Extends NFIP Through Sept. 30, 2021 – A Full Year
President Trump has signed a law extending the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Sept. 30, 2021. This is good news for MAIA/Big “I” members, as previous extensions to have been much shorter, enacted to temporarily prevent NFIP lapses. The additional time should help Congress build consensus on common-sense reforms to the NFIP. Wyatt Stewart…
JUST ADDED! Big Event P&C Licensing Special!
Some members were disappointed that there won’t be a Property & Casualty (P&C) Licensing class at this year’s Big Event. (So are we! Thanks a lot, 2020!!!) So, we’re doing the next best thing and giving you $100 off on our December P&C Licensing Class when you purchase a Full Registration with Unlimited Agency Staff for…
Personal Liability Protection for Police Officers from RLI
RLI’s tagline is “Different Works” and we see that again! Not all carriers offer personal umbrella coverage to police officers. We wanted to share that RLI’s underwriting does not restrict personal liability protection for this profession (although the RLI policy does exclude commercial liability, so it will not cover the individual while working). If you…
Can Relative Sell Vehicle if Owner Passed
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION How are you? A question in bullet points My insureds sister passed away, her auto is registered out of state (MD) My insured is in charge of her affairs and needs to sell car Sisters auto registration…
New Online Duplicate Liquor ID Transaction
Effective immediately, a new duplicate liquor ID transaction is available through the Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/RMV. The transaction name is “Replace My Liquor ID”. Customers can use this transaction to order and pay for duplicate liquor ID cards without needing to visit a service center.
Escalation Process Now in Place at ALL Registration Drop Off Centers
On September 8th, a pilot began in the Haverhill and Wilmington Registration Drop Off Centers for an escalation process for work that was previously submitted, was not completed, and was issued an Application Status Letter. This streamlined the process for runners and agents and ensured returned work is completed in a timely fashion.
RMV Now Doing In-Person License & ID Renewals
The RMV is now processing in person license (all classes) and ID card renewals in all service centers that are open for licensing/ID transactions. Both REAL ID and Standard licenses and ID cards are available during in person renewals. A service center reservation is required.
New Cape & Islands License Plate Prefix
A new plate prefix has been created for Cape Cod and Islands plates. The new plate prefix will begin with “CP” followed by one to four characters. The letters “I”, “O”, “Q”, and “U” will NOT be used.
MAP Trailer w/Business Use Exclusion
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 04, 2020 QUESTION We have a policy question on trailers. Client has a personal auto policy with pickup with business use in his personal name. He wants to add a trailer GVW 15,000. Are there any exclusions on the MA…
Reassignment of Reserve Plate
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 11, 2020 QUESTION Do you know if a passenger reserved plate can be transferred to a family member?
Appraisal for Antique Vehicle
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 22, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured that purchased a 1935 Ford auto, with a CT assignment of ownership. He paid $2000 for it and put a lot of work into it to make it road worthy. He also has…
CARVANA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 22, 2020 QUESTION Have you had any experience with anyone buying a vehicle with CARVANA or an online dealer? I have an insured who is trying to purchase a vehicle through CARVANA (and online car dealer) They advised the client…
Notice to the Members of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents of the 2020 Annual Meeting
In accordance with Article XI, Section 1 of the bylaws, notice is hereby given to the members of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents, Inc., that the Annual Meeting of the Association will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11:45 AM, during MAIA’s Big Event Virtual Conference and Trade Fair.
Tech Talk: Low Interest Rates…New Purchases…Refinancing…and Bank Requests
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs First …don’t forget our annual convention! MAIA’s Big Event 2020 Conference & Trade Fair is happening November 5th and 6th. There’s a new twist – it’s VIRTUAL! Take a look … some really great stuff you don’t want to miss!
Resolving Issues with Revocations & Rejected Renewals
The Registry of Motor Vehicles is working on a solution to two issues that may be affecting your reporting of MA auto insurance policies to the RMV and/or your customers. One is an issue with the revocation process that is resulting in the creation of an immediate 10-day revocation notice in error. The other issue…
Personal or Commercial Policy
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 22, 2020 QUESTION I have a question please. I have a client who had a 2018 Ford F350 which is on a personal policy. He is replacing it with a 2021 Ford F450 that weighs 14,000 pounds and does not…
Registration Drop Off Center Email Address
Effective Monday, September 28th, there will be a dedicated email address for Registration Drop Off Centers: [email protected] Customers should be advised to send an email to this address if it has been more than 4 days since they dropped off their transaction, they have not received an email from the RMV, and they have checked…
Travel Trailers and Temp Plates
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a client purchasing a travel trailer in Maine that we will be putting on his Mass Auto policy for Collision and Comprehensive coverage. He is driving up to pick the unit up today. The Maine…
RMV Service Center Openings & Changes Happening in October
See updates made 10/14/2020 regarding temporary changes at Greenfield RMV. In October, two RMV Service Centers will open or change their hours, Wednesday appointments for customers 75 or older to renew their licenses/IDs will be extended and expanded, and there will be several changes to Registration Drop Off Centers.
Electronic Signatures on Certain RMV Forms
Effective September 24th, certain RMV and Department of Revenue (DOR) forms can be signed by customers using Electronic Signatures/eSignatures and submitted during dealer sales or casual sales. Note: The RMV is currently evaluating other forms to determine if Electronic Signatures/eSignatures can be accepted on them.
New SinglePoint Functions Can Save You Trips to the RMV
We want to make sure our members are aware that Boston Software’s SinglePoint, which allows agents to complete RMV transactions online, can now handle even more ATLAS functions and transactions, including RMV Lookup, RTA Prefill, RMV Get Ready, and RMV Registration Processing. SinglePoint’s capabilities can save you and your insureds time and frustration by preventing…