REMINDER! RTA Acceptance Requirements
August 18, 2025 To ensure that Registration and Title Applications (RTAs) are completed properly and that vehicles are lawfully registered and titled, the RMV and its business partners responsible for registration and title transaction processing have certain requirements, including acceptable insurance stamps. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or…
Out-of-State Titles with Notary Stamps
August 18, 2025 Many states require notarization when reassigning their Certificate of Title (see examples on following pages). Out-of-state titles with notary stamps are acceptable and the RMV does NOT require a copy of the customer’s license. The customer would have already provided their identification to the notary when they got the title notarized. Read…
Surcharge Reversal and Deductible
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of July 2025. Question Not sure if you can help, but I figured I would reach out. My client had an accident. She was in the left lane with a left turn arrow, making a left turn. The vehicle coming in…
Massachusetts 250 Plate Delivery Delay
August 8, 2025 Due to overwhelming demand, there is a delay in the delivery of Massachusetts 250 special plates. These plates should be delivered to customers in the mail within 8-10 weeks. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]
2025 MAIA Annual Meeting Announcement
NOTICE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS OF THE 2025 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, September 19th…
Driver Retraining Courses Now in Three Languages
August 11, 2025 Customers required to complete a National Safety Council (NSC) driver retraining course due to the accumulation of Three Surchargeable Events (TSE) or more now have the option to take the course in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]
Auto Coverage for Child who Moved Out on Mom & Dad’s Policy
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of July 2025. Question I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to reach out with a question regarding a recurring situation I’ve encountered in the Private Client department. Many parents are eager to ensure their children’s well-being, often extending their care…
Middlesex Community College – Learn & Earn Program!
Middlesex County Agents – Looking to Grow Your Team? Partnering with Middlesex Community College through their Learn & Earn program might be just what you need! This innovative program connects local businesses with driven, pre-screened students who are eager to gain real-world experience—and they’ve just expanded it to include all business students! That means your…
Surviving Spouse Fees
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of July 2025. Question Does it cost anything, as far as fees for a deceased spouse registration and title transfer? She’s keeping the same plates, the car currently titled to the deceased husband only. Putting it into the surviving spouse’s name.…
REMINDER! Recreation Vehicles Cannot be Registered by RMV
July 28, 2025 Small recreation vehicles, recreation utility vehicles, or all-terrain vehicles intended for off-road use cannot be registered by the RMV as motor vehicles and cannot be operated on public ways. Massachusetts General Law defines a “recreation vehicle”, or “off-highway vehicle”, as any motor vehicle designed or modified for use over unimproved terrain for…
Delivery Use and Incidental Confusion: Why Eligibility Doesn’t Guarantee Coverage Under the MAP
July 28, 2025 Written By: Laura J. Poulin, AILP, AINS, AAM, CPIW, CRIS, MLIS, Director of Curriculum and Technical Affairs, MAIA Many Massachusetts agents are aware that individually owned vans and pickups used for delivery may not qualify for personal auto policies. But few realize that “incidental use” is not a free pass. Under both…
Discontinuation of Saturday Public Roster Road Tests
July 28, 2025 Beginning August 2, Saturday public roster road tests will no longer be offered at the following RMV Service Centers. July 26 will be the final day for Saturday public roster road tests. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]
Road Tests at Brockton Asiaf and Cambridge Simoni Rinks Ending Effective August 1
July 25, 2025 Effective August 1, road tests will no longer be offered at the Brockton Asiaf Skating Rink or the Cambridge Simoni Skating Rink. The last tests will be conducted there on July 31. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]
Vanity Plate Requirements Change
July 18, 2025 Effective immediately, the vanity plate requirements have changed to include the following: Vanity plates must not reference criminal conduct, including but not limited to acts of violence, motor vehicle crimes, or crimes related to use of alcohol, drugs, illegal substances, or weapons. Vanity plates must not be an expression of hate, contempt,…
Lifetime CDL Disqualification Waiver Program
July 18, 2025 Effective July 18, 2025, there will be a new Lifetime Disqualification Waiver Program for drivers disqualified for life from holding a Commercial Driver’s License (due to convictions under M.G.L. Chapter 90F, Section 9(A)-(B), or convictions under paragraphs (b)(1) through (8) in Table 1 of 49 CFR 383.51). Read the official update here.…
2025 Q1 Massachusetts P&C Marketplace Summary
You are being provided this 2025 Massachusetts Annual P&C Marketplace Summary covering the Massachusetts property and casualty (P&C) insurance marketplace as a benefit of your membership in the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. This report provides up-to-date property and casualty (P&C) data, offering you a “real-time” view of trends in the Massachusetts insurance marketplace. Like…
Registering A Golf Cart
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of July 2025. Question One of our insureds asked the question regarding registering a golf cart for street use in Marshfield. There is an LS License Plate with restrictions such as 20-25 mph, less than 3000 lbs. We’re trying to see…
Condo Association – Parking Space Rented to Others
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of July 2025. Question We handle the Master Policy for a condo association in Boston. They have a unit owner that is looking to rent out her parking space; this would be separate from her unit that she also rents out.…
New Chelsea RMV Service Center – Revised
July 8, 2025 The Revere RMV Service Center will close permanently on Friday, July 11 at 6:00 p.m. and it will NOT be open on Saturday. Attached is a revised training update with the corrected date. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]
Registration & Sales Tax
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of July 2025. Question I have a client who owns a Class 1 new car dealership and wants to add six loaner vehicles, and believes that short-term rentals are tax-exempt when registering. Do you know anything about this by any chance,…
Auto Claim Payment Requiring an SSN?
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of May 2025. Question One of our insureds is going through their carrier as a claimant for damage to their vehicle. His daughter was hit in Colorado, and the other party (insured with the same carrier) was at fault. They offered…
New Chelsea RMV Service Center
June 30, 2025 On July 12, the Revere RMV Service Center will close and on July 14, a new RMV Service Center will open in Chelsea. The address of the new fully accessible location is 121 Webster Avenue, Chelsea. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at…
Redesigned Boston Celtics Plates
June 30, 2025 The Boston Celtics special plate has been redesigned. Once the supply of the current version is depleted, the redesigned version will be available on the RMV website (Mass.Gov/RMV) and can be ordered through RMV Service Centers and EVR dealerships. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or…
Update – End of Physical CDL Medical Certificates for Interstate Operation
June 24, 2025 As previously announced in the training update titled “CDL Medical Certificates Electronically Documented”, physical (paper) CDL Medical Certificates will no longer be issued by Certified Medical Examiners to commercial drivers who are medically qualified for interstate operation and can no longer be accepted by the RMV after June 23. All medical certification…
Understanding Automatic Additional Insured Endorsements & Why Contract Privity Matters
June 23, 2025 Written By: Laura J. Poulin, AILP, AINS, AAM, CPIW, CRIS, MLIS, Director of Curriculum and Technical Affairs, MAIA Automatic Additional Insured endorsements are often used to streamline risk transfer in construction contracts. However, not all endorsements work the same way, and understanding who the contract is with is essential to determining whether…
Use of Other Auto Endorsement and UM/UIM Coverage
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of May 2025. Question Hope all is well. I was curious what the benefit of buying the Use of Other Autos endorsement and including it for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist would be if you have a company vehicle in MA? Would it only…
Plates Incorrectly Manufactured with Letter “O”
June 6, 2025 Approximately 1,300 Electric Vehicle (VE prefix) plates were recently manufactured and distributed with the letter “O” where it should have been the number “0”. As a result, these customers’ physical plates do not match their vehicle registration number. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email…
New Milford RMV Service Center
June 6, 2025 On June 23, the Milford RMV Service Center will move to a new, fully accessible location. The new address is 138 South Main Street. All appointments and road tests scheduled for June 23 or later will be at the new location, and customers with appointments or road tests scheduled on or after…
CDL Medical Certificates Electronically Documented
June 6, 2025 Effective June 23, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will require commercial driver medical certificate information, which verifies that drivers are physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle, to be electronically documented by Certified Medical Examiners in the National Registry Database. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy…
2025 Massachusetts Annual P&C Marketplace Summary
You are being provided this 2025 Massachusetts Annual P&C Marketplace Summary covering the Massachusetts property and casualty (P&C) insurance marketplace as a benefit of your membership in the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. What follows is a graphic and numeric presentation of the Massachusetts P&C industry data from an independent insurance agent’s perspective (independent agent).…
MAP Trailer Liability – Business-Use Consideration
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of May 2025. Question It’s trailer season! Wondering if we need to be concerned about GVW and/or the use of our clients’ trailers? For example, we have a client who purchased an ice cream trailer. They wish to put the trailer…
2025 MAIA Advocacy Fund Contributors
We sincerely thank the following independent agents for contributing to the 2025 MAIA Advocacy Fund. Your contributions will directly support efforts to protect your business interests and ensure a fair legislative and regulatory environment. THANK YOU! A. David Risman Insurance Agency, Inc. Acrisure New England Partners Insurance Services, LLC Agostinelli, Teller, & Ryan Insurance Agency,…
Remote Driver’s Education Classes
June 1, 2025 The option for remote (virtual) Driver’s Education classes will be extended through the summer and will transition back to in-person education only starting September 22, 2025. Read the official update here. Registry Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]
FlexCar Coverage
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of May 2025. Question Do you have any information on FlexCar and coverage? Answer Laura Poulin: It appears that Flexcar positions itself as a month-to-month car subscription service, not as a Transportation Network Company (TNC) like Uber or Turo. Flexcar operates…
New Massachusetts 250 Years of Independence Plates
May 27, 2025 The Massachusetts 250 Years of Independence plate is a two-year passenger special plate. Proceeds from this plate go to the Massachusetts general fund. Massachusetts 250 Years of Independence plates will be centrally distributed, and customers who order them in service centers and EVR locations will receive a temporary plate while the permanent…
Registry Procedures Manual Update!
May 27, 2025 This online “flipbook” manual is a MUST for every agent who writes MA automobile insurance and deals with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles! The Registry Procedures Manual (RPM) allows subscribers to utilize keyword searches to find what they need and is automatically updated regularly throughout the year. Check out what’s new HERE.…
Symbol 19, MM 20 11, and the Mobile Equipment Myth in Massachusetts
May 27, 2025 Written By: Laura J. Poulin, AILP, AINS, AAM, CPIW, CRIS, MLIS, Director of Curriculum and Technical Affairs, MAIA Massachusetts agents frequently ask whether they should be using Symbol 19, Mobile Equipment Subject to Compulsory or Financial Responsibility or Other Motor Vehicle Insurance Law Only, or the mobile equipment endorsement MM 20 11 to address…
Tenant Discrimination
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of April 2025. Question If a landlord is accused of discriminatory practices (such as not renting to Section 8 or similar), would having personal injury coverage on their policy provide any protection? I have read of there being separate coverage for…
New Citation Portal
May 12, 2025 The Merit Rating Board has launched a new Citation Portal. This is an online self-service tool that provides real-time, on-demand access to citation data. Read the official update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected]
New Overdose Awareness Plates
May 12, 2025 The Overdose Awareness plate is a two-year passenger special plate. Proceeds from this plate will fund TEAM SHARING Inc., which provides support and friendship to grieving families while working to raise awareness of Substance Use Disorder and its impact on our communities. Read the official update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353…