A Little Something to Think About
After last year’s record-breaking InsurPac campaign, the Big “I” gave Massachusetts a huge shout-out for our impressive contributions to the non-partisan PAC. We were one of two states vying for the National Championship Award for raising the most money. The competition went down to the wire and when the dust settled… South Carolina stood victorious…
Boston Software and RMV Transactions
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 6, 2020 QUESTION I heard this on the news and the article is attached below. It says the RMV joined forces with Boston Software so we can renew reg’s online for our clients. I’m not sure why Boston Software is…
New Cover Sheet Required When Dropping off B2B Bundles
Agents and runners take note! The RMV has created B2B Drop Off Cover Sheets, which must now be completed and included with your bundle any time you are dropping off transactions for processing. Each B2B service center location has its own drop-off cover sheet: Attleboro, Boston, Braintree, Chicopee, Haverhill, Milford, and Wilmington.
REAL ID Fees Waived for Online Renewal
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 6, 2020 QUESTION I was supposed to renew my license on June 1st. I want the real ID. Can you translate this please? Can I now renew my regular license then upgrade later to the real ID at no additional…
Permit Only and New Registration
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 6, 2020 QUESTION Can someone who has a permit no license yet, register a vehicle in his name and add another person with licence on the RMV-1? He said he is getting his license back 7-29-20 but, to register the…
RMV Service Center Openings and Changes on 7/20
On July 20th, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change their hours.
Title Only Transaction
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 6, 2020 QUESTION I have an insured who needs to do a title only application –we tried to make an appointment and RMV says it must be mailed in. What must be mailed? Original title, RTA, bill of sale and…
MA Reopening Phase 3: Office Capacity Now 50%
Phase 3 Reopening (effective July 6, 2020) has increased the capacity limits in office space to 50% of occupancy limits. Businesses may exceed this maximum occupancy level based on demonstrated need.
Trailer and BAP Only
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 26, 2020 QUESTION I hope you are keeping well. We have a scenario where a client has a BAP for their cars. They have bought a boat in their personal names and want to register the trailer. Since they have…
MAIA’s Big Event 2020, Take 2… We’re Going Virtual!
For the first time in many decades, MAIA’s Big Event will not be taking place live in Boston. We’re super-sad about this, but with the current restrictions and future uncertainties about large gatherings, we just couldn’t adequately plan for a live event. Instead, start getting excited for “MAIA’s Big Event 2020, Take 2”! This two-day…
Outdated Cash Management Practices Could Be Hurting Your Agency
Does your agency still deposit checks manually? Is your cash-management system up to date? Are you aware of the latest cyber protections? Old habits and outdated office procedures could be hurting your agency. In this recent article from IA Magazine, InsurBanc’s Patricia Smith discusses three ways to improve efficiency and employee productivity in your banking,…
DOI Bulletin: How P&C Insurers Should Handle Claims from the Norwood, MA Weather Event
The severe weather event in the Norwood, MA area on June 28 affected many homeowners who were already facing hardships due to COVID-19. Recognizing this situation, the DOI issued Bulletin 2020-22, outlining procedures and expectations for MA property & casualty insurers with regard to expedited claims handling and underwriting associated with this weather event. If…
Our Workers’ Comp Program – We’ve Been Saying “YES” A Lot Lately
Massachusetts is opening up, and so is our workers’ comp market! MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency is ready for your WC business! Do we like pool business? YES, WE DO! Do we like new business with prior experience, even with no prior coverage? YES, WE DO! We review each risk on its own merit, so…
WC driving to work?
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 26, 2020 QUESTION I have a customer insured under a commercial auto policy, he also has private passenger vehicles with rate class 30, he owns an excavating company. He was curious he or an employee gets hurt driving to work…
Commercial Auto vs. Equipment Floater
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 6, 2020 QUESTION I need your guidance please. I have a CAT Loader that is registered with a plate, it goes on the road. However, it is scheduled under both the Auto and IM policies. Should it be just on…
RMV Now Scheduling Road Tests at These Locations
Class D and M road tests are now being conducted at the following RMV Service Centers: Braintree Brockton Haverhill Leominster Milford Pittsfield Plymouth Springfield Taunton Watertown Wilmington.
New Online Duplicate Learner’s Permit Transaction
Effective Thursday, July 2nd, a new duplicate learner’s permit transaction will be available through the MA RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/RMV. Customers can use this transaction to pay for and print a duplicate permit. This will prevent the need for customers to visit a service center before their road test if they have lost…
MAIA Registry Procedures Manual – A Must-Have for All Who Work with the RMV
COVID-19 is changing everything at the MA RMV, and it’s tough to keep up. MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual is a must-have for anyone who works with the Registry. The keyword-searchable, online Manual puts “everything RMV” at your fingertips. It pays for itself in time saved for you AND your customers! MAIA is currently updating the…
Motorcycle Inspection Stickers Will Not Expire Until July 30
A further extension has been implemented for motorcycle inspection stickers. All motorcycle inspection stickers will now expire on July 31, 2020, consistent with the extension for all commercial and non-commercial inspection stickers. They had previously been extended only to June 30th.
Big “I” Launches New Pricing on IdealTraits Recruitment Platform
As we move toward reopening, many agencies will be looking to bring on new staff. One of the many hiring tools available to MAIA/Big “I” members is IdealTraits, a robust recruiting platform developed specifically to help insurance agencies identify, assess, and hire top performing sales and service staff. Effective today (July 1), the Big “I”…
“Worst Flooding in 10 Years” – Your Clients Need Coverage
Flash floods have been causing havoc in Massachusetts. Heavy rains, diverted water flows, water gushing out of storm drains… and into homes and businesses. And when your customer calls to make a claim because of water in their basement, you have to be the bearer of bad news: “You’re not covered.” If you’ve been avoiding…
IRP (Apportioned) Plates Expiration Extended by 3 Months
Good news! In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all currently active Massachusetts International Registration Plan (IRP) registrations that are due to expire on June 30, 2020 are now valid through September 30, 2020.
Temporary Change to JOL 6 Hours Driving School Observation Requirement
Instead of the 6 hours observing another student driver that is normally required, individuals with a junior operator’s license (JOL) can complete an additional 6 hours of supervised driving with a parent, guardian, or designee.
7-Day Law for Registration Transfer Temporarily Extended to 21 Days
The grace period to register a new vehicle has been extended from 7 days to 21 calendar days from the date a customer loses possession of their previous vehicle.
Traffic Violations that are Criminal
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 31, 2020 QUESTION You sent me a link or a file that discussed MA traffic violations and which were criminal …for the life of me I can’t find it ..do you have it in the next 30 minutes?
CAR Approves Commercial Supplemental Application for Servicing Carriers & ERPs
Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) has approved the use of a supplemental application for Servicing Carriers to collect general risk information for all commercial risks (See CAR Bulletin #1103); and updated the Manual of Administrative Procedures to identify Servicing Carrier and Exclusive Representative Producer and responsibilities with regard to the supplemental application (See CAR Bulletin #1104). …
RMV Service Center Openings and Changes on 6/29
On June 29th, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change the transactions they are processing.
Trailers
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 1, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured (commercial landscaper) that purchased an 8,000 lb. hydro seeder trailer from Georgia at a government auction, and was not given a title for it, just an invoice showing paid in full, which is…
Leased Vehicles
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 2, 2020 QUESTION I get these calls on leased vehicles and registrations and never am quite sure of the procedure. This one is buying out lease; she has a C&I plate she kept from last vehicle. So I don’t know…
7D Vehicle Registration Requirements
Effective immediately, two changes have been made to the registration requirements for School Pupil Transport (7D) vehicles.
RMV Opening Haverhill B2B Service Center June 29
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 opening a new, dedicated B2B Center at the Haverhill Service Center on Monday, June 29, 2020.
Kids at School
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 8, 2020 QUESTION I hear conflicting scenarios regarding parents excluding their kids while away at school.I hear some agents tell parents to NOT let their kids drive anyone else’s cars while excluded and I hear others say they can drive…
Tech Talk: Protest? Riot? Insurrection? Terrorism? What Just Happened and… Is It Covered?
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Block That Claim: E&O and Other Agency Coverage
When the going gets tough, you need a team that’s tougher. MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency is the leading seller of Agent’s E&O in MA, but we go above and beyond just that. We offer important coverages that aren’t always available elsewhere, such as admitted stand-alone Cyber and EPLI, Agency BOP, and Commercial Umbrella. Number…
RMV Registration Changes: IRP Expirations, Reinstatements & Renewals
Beginning immediately, the RMV is implementing the following registration-related changes: 1) IRP expiration date has been extended to September 30th; 2) Select insurance agents can process registration reinstatements; and 3) The option to renew in-person has been removed from the RMV-2 form.
Good News! RMV Allowing B2B Online Payments
The RMV has added an option that allows eligible B2B customers to make online payments. This new option will simplify the B2B process and make the pickup of your work seamless. When your transaction has been processed, the RMV will send you an email with a link to submit your payment for all transactions using…
Obtaining Driver Information
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 13, 2020 QUESTION Hi there – hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well. We have a MA Livery client who indicates that is telling us that in MA, the process for taxi companies is that…
COVID-19 HR Resources & Weekly Facebook Live Q&A Sessions
Need help tailoring your agency to the new realities brought about by the pandemic? Every Thursday at 1:00 p.m., you can bring your HR questions to a Facebook Live Q&A session hosted by Big “I” Hires with specialists from Affinity HR Group! The Big “I” has also compiled videos on current HR issues, best practices…
RMV Supervised Driving Receipt: Not a Learner’s Permit, But Close
Due to COVID, the MA RMV is allowing 16-year-olds to take the Learner’s Permit Exam online. Although these teens cannot get a Learner’s Permit until they visit an RMV location to present ID and get their photo taken, the RMV can issue a Supervised Driving Receipt. As outlined last week in the Governor’s Executive Order,…
Rental and Covered Operators
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 13, 2020 QUESTION I have a client..he has a MA Auto, MA License. His daughter lives in NY and will be staying at his home in NY (secondary home). She does not have a vehicle. She will be renting a…