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]
REMINDER! Recreation Vehicles Cannot be Registered by RMV
July 25, 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…
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…
Workers’ Compensation – Max Payroll for Officers
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of April 2025. Question Hope all is well. I was referred to you as an expert who may be able to help me with the following question. I contacted the Bureau, and they don’t have an answer. I tried DIA but…
Redesigned Protect and Serve Plates
May 5, 2025 Beginning immediately, a redesigned version of the Protect and Serve special plate will be available on the RMV website (www.mass.gov/rmv) and can be ordered through RMV Service Centers. The new plate design features an American flag and a blue police ribbon. Read the official update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353…
DOC with Out-of-State PAP
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of April 2025. Question I have a quick question for you. If a business owner has a personal auto policy in another state, do they still need DOC coverage on their commercial auto policy in MA? I appreciate the feedback. Thank…
Revised Requirements for Medal of Liberty Plates
April 28, 2025 Effective immediately, the requirements for Medal of Liberty Plates have been revised. The following are the ONLY documents needed to apply for a Medal of Liberty Plate: An approved Recommendation for the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty form (TAGMA form 3367) certified by the Office of the Adjutant General (either an original or a…
Understanding the State Statute Box on the Certificate of Insurance
April 28, 2025 Written By: Laura J. Poulin, AILP, AINS, AAM, CPIW, CRIS, MLIS, Director of Curriculum and Technical Affairs, MAIA When reviewing a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for Workers’ Compensation (WC), one of the most frequently misunderstood elements is the “State Statute” box. This box, when checked, indicates that the insured has statutory Workers’…
Emissions Regulations for Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
April 22, 2025 The Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation requires a certain percentage of manufacturers’ overall sales to include sales of Zero Emission Vehicles. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has exempted marketing model year 2026 and 2027 medium and heavy-duty vehicles in class 2b through class 8 from the ACT requirements. Medium and heavy-duty…
New Zoo New England Plates
April 17, 2025 The Zoo New England plate is a two-year passenger special plate. Proceeds from this plate will fund Zoo New England’s conservation programs to save wildlife and wild places in Massachusetts. All pre-ordered plates have been delivered to the Special Plates Department at RMV Quincy Headquarters. Read the official update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier…
HO4 with Pet Damage
This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of April 2025. Question If my client has a tenant with an HO4 policy, and their pet cat causes damage to the property, will the HO4 pay for the damage? Answer Laura Poulin: The ISO HO-4 provides Coverage E – Personal…