Could Your Agency Protection Use Some Backup?
Could Your Agency Protection Use Some Backup? COVID-19 has brought an increase in discrimination and wrongful termination claims, cyber breaches, and liability claims, and agencies are not immune. Has your coverage kept pace with how you operate today? Are you adequately protected, not just with Agents’ E&O, but with Cyber and EPLI? Agency BOP? Commercial…
RLI Personal Umbrella: No Personal Auto? No Problem.
RLI Personal Umbrella: No Personal Auto? No Problem. Do you have clients who do not own a personal vehicle, but would like the coverage of an umbrella over their property? With most carriers, that’s a no-go. Not with RLI! Your clients can get RLI coverage as long as they carry underlying coverage, if and…
Flood Insurance Got You Baffled? Let Us Help You Move in the Right Direction!!
Flood Insurance Got You Baffled? Let Us Help You Move in the Right Direction!! The constant changes surrounding flood insurance create a challenge for many agents, with some even choosing to not promote and service this market. Take a new approach, with the support you need, by working with the Flood Concierge Team at MAIA’s Number…
It’s Happy Hour! Break Out the Liquor Liability Insurance!
It’s Happy Hour! Break Out the Liquor Liability Insurance! Massachusetts restaurant and bar owners are shouting “Hallelujah!” as the state lifts more COVID restrictions, and they require Liquor Liability coverage for re-opening. You can provide the protection they need through Number One Insurance Agency’s Hospitality Program! In addition to monoline Liquor Liability, we offer Hospitality’s…
Spring Your Clients from the WC Pool and Earn Higher Commissions!
Spring Your Clients from the WC Pool and Earn Higher Commissions! Spring is here and outdoor activity is revving up! Take advantage of our limited-time higher commissions AND do your clients a favor by placing their Workers’ Comp coverage in the voluntary market! (Payroll is required if any policies are ineligible.) Here are just some…
Say YES to New Revenue with Lawyers’ Professional Liability!
Say YES to New Revenue with Lawyers’ Professional Liability! Are you writing Lawyers’ Professional Liability Insurance (LPLI) policies? If not, you could be missing out on a winning market for your agency, and a cross-selling opportunity. MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency has already helped our brokers write 10 new LPLI policies in 2021! We can…
Your Client Needs an Umbrella! Sell Them One That Fits
Your Client Needs an Umbrella! Sell Them One That Fits As insurance agents and New Englanders, we know how quickly a sunny day can turn into Nor’easter. Make sure your insureds are prepared for unexpected “storms” with an umbrella solution that fits their needs. Through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency, you can offer excellent…
Important Steps Agents Can Take to Avoid Registry Delays
Important Steps Agents Can Take to Avoid Registry Delays Content Html: Heading As we’ve written before, we hear your frustrations with the RMV, and are actively advocating on our members behalf. While not all of the current Registry issues (such as understaffing) have a quick and easy fix, one factor that we can control right…
CDL Medical Certificates Extension
CDL Medical Certificates Extension The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). Certificates that expire between March 1, 2021 and August 30, 2021 will expire on August 31, 2021. The RMV has updated customer records in ATLAS. Affected customers will receive an email informing…
We Hear Your Registry Concerns and We’re On It!
We Hear Your Registry Concerns and We’re On It! Many members have contacted MAIA to express frustration with the COVID-related changes at RMV service centers. Common complaints include agents/runners having to travel unreasonable distances to designated drop-off centers; not being able to process live transactions and review documentation; inaccurate pickup notifications; and the return to…
Form 2290 No Longer Required for Initial Heavy Highway Vehicle Registrations
Form 2290 No Longer Required for Initial Heavy Highway Vehicle Registrations Effective immediately, proof of Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax payment (IRS Form 2290/ Schedule 1) for vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more is NOT required for initial vehicle registrations. It is only required during registration renewals. This reverses a…
YAC Volunteers Clean Up Wollaston Beach!
YAC Volunteers Clean Up Wollaston Beach! MAIA’s Young Agents Committee found a safe and rewarding way to give back to the community on Saturday, May 1st! Six YAC members arrived at Wollaston Beach in Quincy for a much-needed shore cleanup. Each YAC filled up at least one bag with debris, leaving the beach looking just…
Insuring RV’ers, Riders, Boaters and Their Toys
Insuring RV’ers, Riders, Boaters and Their Toys Massachusetts is on the rebound and ready for a great summer. And what’s more fun than hitting the roads and waterways in a motorized vessel? Sales of RVs, campers, trailers, boats, motorcycles, and e-bikes are at an all-time high, and their owners need insurance! Happily, MAIA members have…
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – June 2021
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – June 2021 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 Name Filing Effective Date Arbella ALSE132663389 – Rate/Rule 07/12/21 New 08/26/21 Renew ALSE132674557 –…
RMV Sent 3,500 Revocation Letters on 5/26 – Here’s What Customers Can Do
RMV Sent 3,500 Revocation Letters on 5/26 – Here’s What Customers Can Do Heads up! The RMV has cleared a large backlog of cases in which an insurer had canceled a customer’s insurance policy, but the RMV had not taken any action. This issue has now been resolved. On May 26th, the RMV sent approximately…
Gain FREE Insight into Your Agency with QuickClicks BDT!
Gain Agency Insights with QuickClicks BDT Free Access for Every MAIA Member Agency Through May 20, 2021! Every independent agency owner wants to know how their business measures up. We encourage you to sign up before May 20th for these free QuickClicks Business Development Tools (BDT). WHAT IS QUICKCLICKS BDT? In short, QuickClicks BDT is…
MPUIA Revises Premium Installment Program to 8 Payments
MPUIA Revises Premium Installment Program to 8 Payments The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPUIA) has asked MAIA to inform our members that they have posted a Revised Premium Installment Plan July 2021 notice on the MPIUA website to inform MA licensed producers (agents, brokers and special agents) of the recent expansion of the MPIUA…
Revised Registration-Related Forms
Revised Registration-Related Forms The RMV has revised six forms to indicate that a complete Registration and Title Application (RTA), including an insurance company stamp, must be submitted as part of the transaction. The revised forms are applications for special plates and vanity plates. Full titles and numbers of the revised forms are listed below: Application for an…
Now is the Time to Discuss Flood Insurance with Your Clients! These Marketing Tools Can Help
Now is the Time to Discuss Flood Insurance with Your Clients! These Marketing Tools Can Help Everyone in MA has flood risk exposures, especially now, with hurricane season upon us! Heavy rains, high winds, swelling tides, storm surges… it’s all coming! Even inland, flash floods happen when saturated soil can’t absorb rainwater fast enough, or…
Two RMV Reminders: Revocation Timeframe and Out-of-State Insurance
Two RMV Reminders: Revocation Timeframe and Out-of-State Insurance Seeing an increase in service calls, the RMV has asked us to remind agents of their policies on registration revocation and out-of-state insurance: 1) To avoid an insurance revocation action, customers must have proof of coverage with a policy effective date that PRECEDES the scheduled revocation date;…
What Are Agents Saying About Our Flood Concierge Program?
What Are Agents Saying About Our Flood Concierge Program? By now, you’ve probably heard of the Flood Concierge Program from MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency. In short, our experienced team services your flood clients on your behalf, and you get 60% of our commission. But what do the MA insurance agents who use Flood Concierge…
Big “I” ACT Releases Free Tool for Agency Cyber Self-Assessment
Big “I” ACT Releases Free Tool for Agency Cyber Self-Assessment MAIA / Big “I” members can access a free online self-assessment tool to determine where they stand on cyber-readiness, including vulnerabilities, best practices, and compliance with the ever-growing list of regulations and legislation surrounding cybersecurity compliance. Developed by the Big “I” Agents Council for Technology…
Could Your Agency Protection Use Some Backup?
Could Your Agency Protection Use Some Backup? COVID-19 has brought an increase in discrimination and wrongful termination claims, cyber breaches, and liability claims, and agencies are not immune. Has your coverage kept pace with how you operate today? Are you adequately protected, not just with Agents’ E&O, but with Cyber and EPLI? Agency BOP? Commercial…
Flood Insurance Got You Baffled? Let Us Help You Move in the Right Direction!!
Flood Insurance Got You Baffled? Let Us Help You Move in the Right Direction!! The constant changes surrounding flood insurance create a challenge for many agents, with some even choosing to not promote and service this market. Take a new approach, with the support you need, by working with the Flood Concierge Team at MAIA’s Number…
It’s Happy Hour! Break Out the Liquor Liability Insurance!
It’s Happy Hour! Break Out the Liquor Liability Insurance! Massachusetts restaurant and bar owners are shouting “Hallelujah!” as the state lifts more COVID restrictions, and they require Liquor Liability coverage for re-opening. You can provide the protection they need through Number One Insurance Agency’s Hospitality Program! In addition to monoline Liquor Liability, we offer Hospitality’s…
MAIA Advocates for Exclusion of PPP Loans from Taxable Income
MAIA Advocates for Exclusion of PPP Loans from Taxable Income Going to bat for agents after hearing their concerns, MAIA contacted several members of the MA House/Senate leadership to express our support for SD.172, An Act providing financial relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation would allow for critical financial relief to…
REAL ID Documentation Revised to Reflect New Enforcement Date
REAL ID Documentation Revised to Reflect New Enforcement Date The MA RMV has revised the REAL ID documentation and Mass.Gov/RMV website to reflect the new full enforcement date of May 3, 2023. The following REAL ID documents have been updated and are available online: Identification Documents Checklist (LIC115); Driver’s Manual; and REAL ID vs. Standard…
RMV COVID-19 Policies Being Rescinded on 5/29
RMV COVID-19 Policies Being Rescinded on 5/29 Governor Baker’s Executive Order establishing COVID-19 policies will be rescinded on May 29th. As a result, the following RMV policies will be changed: 1) The grace period for registration transfers after vehicle purchase will revert back to 7 days; 2) The in-car observation hours for junior operators will revert…
Congratulations to K. Douglas Briggs, 2020 Insurance Professional of The Year
Congratulations to K. Douglas Briggs, 2020 Insurance Professional of The Year K. Douglas Briggs, Chairman and CEO of the Quincy Mutual Group, was recently honored as the 2020 Insurance Professional of The Year by the Insurance Library Association of Boston. Doug and Quincy Mutual have always been great supporters of MAIA, and we hope you…
Discounts on Digital Agency Resources Are Right at Your Fingertips!
Discounts on Digital Agency Resources Are Right at Your Fingertips! You’ve seen the statistic that digital agencies grow 60% faster than their old-school counterparts. Maybe you can’t eliminate ALL paper, snail mail, and faxes, but you can make giant leaps toward your digital agency goals by taking advantage of your exclusive member discounts on these digital tools…
Your Client Needs an Umbrella! Sell Them One That Fits
Your Client Needs an Umbrella! Sell Them One That Fits As insurance agents and New Englanders, we know how quickly a sunny day can turn into Nor’easter. Make sure your insureds are prepared for unexpected “storms” with an umbrella solution that fits their needs. Through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency, you can offer excellent…
MAIA’s Advocacy Team Is Counting on Your Annual Support!
MAIA’s Advocacy Team Is Counting on Your Annual Support! As members, you have a powerful team of MAIA advocates working on your behalf to address regulatory and legislative issues that impact your business. Alone, you might not have the ability to influence public policy, but together we achieve impressive results (Fair & Accurate Quotes! Increased…
Tech Talk: Words Are “Wicked” Important in Both Personal and Commercial Lines
Tech Talk: Words Are “Wicked” Important in Both Personal and Commercial Lines by Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW VP Technical Affairs, MAIA In the last month, between reading articles and receiving emails, the ABSOLUTE importance of words has hit home. It amazes me how FAR the industry has come from…
Tech Talk: Ice Dams and Roof Collapse…Covered or Not?
Tech Talk: Ice Dams and Roof Collapse…Covered or Not? by Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW VP Technical Affairs, MAIA I am so over the snow, especially heavy, wet snow. Just think, soon April showers will bring May flowers… and flooding. (So, don’t forget MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency can help…
Tech Talk: Water Backup and Sump Pump Overflow Coverage and the Homeowner
Tech Talk: Water Backup and Sump Pump Overflow Coverage and the Homeowner By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW An interesting question: Does everybody need a Water Backup and Sump Pump Overflow endorsement or does nobody need it? (And what does it do?) I was modifying an outline for an…
Important Steps Agents Can Take to Avoid Registry Delays
Important Steps Agents Can Take to Avoid Registry Delays As we’ve written before, we hear your frustrations with the RMV, and are actively advocating on our members behalf. While not all of the current Registry issues (such as understaffing) have a quick and easy fix, one factor that we can control right now is the…
RMV Checks Should Be Made Out to MassDOT
RMV Checks Should Be Made Out to MassDOT Checks or money orders provided to the RMV by customers should be made out to MassDOT. Certain other names are acceptable if the check or money order has already been written. However, it must be one of the names on the following list: Commonwealth of Massachusetts…
CDL Medical Certificates Extension
CDL Medical Certificates Extension The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). Certificates that expire between March 1, 2021 and August 30, 2021 will expire on August 31, 2021. The RMV has updated customer records in ATLAS. Affected customers will receive an email informing…