More Lender/Servicer Problems – When Will It End!
July 29, 2024 Written By: Laura J. Poulin, AILP, AINS, AAM, CPIW, CRIS, MLIS, Director of Curriculum and Technical Affairs, MAIA Well, they are at it again! We are seeing an uptick in Lender/Servicer issues affecting Insureds. Whether the loan owner or a separate mortgage servicer manages your Insured’s loan, they may be susceptible to…
Updated Company Auto Filings – July 2024
July 22, 2024 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. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].
Surviving Spouse and Trailer
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of June 2024. Question I have an insured (surviving spouse) who would like to retain 2 of her husband’s trailers. I understand that the surviving spouse process cannot be used on trailers. The RMV is looking for an approval for plate…
Compulsory Limits – Senate Economic Development Bill
As you may be aware, MAIA’s legislative priority this year is to increase compulsory limits from 20/40/5 to 50/100/30. We have been successful in getting this language included in the Senate version of the Economic Development Bill – but it was not included in the House version. There is now a Conference Committee working through the…
2024 Q1 Massachusetts P&C Marketplace Summary
You are being provided this 2024 Q1 Quarterly P&C Marketplace Summary covering the Massachusetts Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Marketplace as a benefit of your membership with the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA). Quarterly property and casualty (P&C) data reveals trends during the current year to give you, as members, a more “real time”…
Business Merged with Name Change
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of June 2024. Question I have a commercial client who merged his business with another. The name has changed, but the FEIN has remained the same. The insured has one commercial auto insured by Safety under the name prior to the…
Mini Kei Trucks or Vans Cannot Be Registered by the RMV
July 8, 2024 Mini trucks and vans, or Kei trucks and vans, are small versions of trucks and vans that are typically imported from abroad and are more than 25 years old. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not endorse the use of these vehicles on public ways because they do not…
Fee Change for Bulk Purchase of Driver’s Manuals
July 8, 2024 Effective July 8, due to an increased price to publish the redesigned Driver’s Manual, the RMV will no longer offer a bulk rate discount to business partners. Driver’s Manuals will be available in bulk at $5 per manual. The fee for a case of 50 Class D Manuals will be $250. The fee for…
Registry Procedures Manual Update!
July 8, 2024 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.…
Traveling Nomad
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of June 2024. Question We currently write an HO4 for an insured with MPIUA (due to claims). His legal residence is in Leominster, where he has some personal property. He also has some personal property in a storage unit in Leominster.…
Off Premises Power Loss and Resulting Power Surge
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of May 2024. Question We have an insured that had a loss back in March from the last snow storm. A tree fell on a pole and caused a power surge to his house. The pole was off premise. Carrier is…
CVR Nationwide Intermediate Shutdown of EVR Services
June 28, 2024 We have received notice from the Registry that CVR, a major provider of the EVR program, will be having a nationwide intermediate shutdown of its EVR services. All dealers and agents currently on the CVR EVR program will be bringing their work to B2B locations across the state, which will slow down…
Enforcement Services Live Chat Website Feature
June 24, 2024 Effective June 20, a new live chat feature will be piloted on the new Enforcement Services Unit (ESU) document portal on the RMV website. This document portal can be accessed through a link provided to ESU customers and allows them to upload documents to prove their identity. Customers can use the new live…
CDL Webinar for Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
June 24, 2024 The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, and Tuesday, July 9, 2024, both starting at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the implementation of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and to explain what action State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) are required to take. (DACH) final rule. Both webinars will…
2024 Massachusetts Annual P&C Marketplace Summary
You are being provided this 2024 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 Agent’s perspective. The 2023 data…
LDW/CDW vs Hired Car Coverage on a BAP
June 24, 2024 Written By: Laura J. Poulin, AILP, AINS, AAM, CPIW, CRIS, MLIS, Director of Curriculum and Technical Affairs, MAIA In theory, Hired Car Liability, Symbol 8, and Hired Car Physical Damage should do the trick; however, typically, the rental contract makes the Insured responsible for things beyond what the Insurance will pay, making…
2024 Low Plate Lottery
June 17, 2024 The 2024 RMV Low Plate Lottery begins on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Customers can enter the plate lottery online at Mass.Gov/myRMV. The lottery is online submission only; there is no paper application available. The deadline to enter the lottery is Friday, August 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. This year, there are…
In-Law Apartment vs. Two-Family
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations, and statutes in effect as of May 2024. Question Hope all is well – we are having a lively discussion in our office and can’t agree, so I said I will ask MAIA, “What is the difference between a one-family with an in-law apartment and a…
Bulletin 2024-06 Re: Inducements, Rebates, & Affiliated Entities
The DOI has released Bulletin 2024-06 regarding the Massachusetts anti-rebating law. We believe this language clarifies that certain lender practices are, in fact, rebating. We will be contacting these entities again, referencing this bulletin, and asking that they change their current practices. View Bulletin 2024-06 here.
Updated Company Auto Filings – June 2024
June 10, 2024 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. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].
Earth Movement Exclusion & Blasting Operations
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2024. Question We had an interesting call last week from a prospect. The individual lives near a quarry where blasting takes place on a regular basis. If the blasting causes any damage to his home or pool, would it…
2024 MAIA Advocacy Fund Contributors
We sincerely thank the following independent agents for contributing to the 2024 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. A J Marchionne Insurance Agcy Inc. Acacia Insurance Inc. Affordable Insurance Agency Inc.…
Garagekeepers vs. On-Hook Coverage
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2024. Question If an Insured already has Garagekeepers Legal Liability coverage, does it also need On-Hook Coverage CA0402 or is On-Hook Coverage for a pure towing operation that does nothing more than pick up and deliver autos between other…
DocuSigned RTA Forms
May 28, 2024 GEICO recently began utilizing DocuSign to electronically stamp the Registration and Title Application (RTA). These stamps have a partial frame around them with the letters “DS” at the top. DocuSign stamps are acceptable and comply with our stamp acceptance specifications. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via…
HO-3 Coverage
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of April 2024. Question Here’s a story and just trying to see if there is any chance of HO-3 coverage. Policyholders’ 9 yr old is visiting his 15 yr old cousin in Brockton (postage stamp lots). The older kid (that lives…
Trusts & the HO Policy
May 20, 2024 Written By: Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW – Consultant, Technical Affairs, MAIA An agent emailed saying his client had put their personal assets, including their home, into a trust, and the lawyer is requiring the HO 05 43 Residence Held in Trust endorsement to be added to…
MA Fair Plan
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of April 2024. Question I hope you are well! We quoted some MPIUA homes last week, and today, two were rejected because they said we didn’t use the new RCT info from 2/24. Coverage A went up over $300K on one!…
RTA Questions & Answers
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of April 2024. Questions & Answers A few questions have come up at our agency, and I was hoping you could help. If a dealership (non-drive) sells a vehicle, is that dealership responsible for completing the RTA? If it is a…
AAA North Andover Road Tests
April 29, 2024 AAA will soon end road test services at its North Andover location. May 3rd is the last day tests will be conducted. The road test public schedule has been adjusted, and Mass.Gov/RMV will be updated to reflect this change in availability. Customers are currently unable to book road tests at the AAA North Andover…
Lease Buyout and Plate Reassignment
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of April 2024. Question Quick question for you. I’ve noticed recently that the registry has allowed folks buying out their leases to keep the same plates. Can you tell me what we check off on the RTA to indicate this? Answers…
Loss Assessment
April 23, 2024 Written By: Laura J. Poulin, AILP, AINS, AAM, CPIW, CRIS, MLIS, Director of Curriculum and Technical Affairs, MAIA Which coverage does a unit owner need to purchase to cover an Association deductible – building Coverage A or loss assessment coverage? Let’s start with Loss Assessment coverage. There are three requirements to trigger…
AAA Greenfield Closing
April 23, 2024 Effective 5:00 pm on April 26, the AAA Greenfield location will close. After that date, it will be permanently closed, and no RMV transactions will be processed. All other AAA locations that process RMV transactions will continue to do so. The RMV and AAA websites will be updated. Read the full update here.…
WC Classification
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of March 2024. Question I have an insured who operates a not-for-profit cemetery. They want to appeal the assignment of class code 9220; see the email excerpt below. I have been on the DIA website and called their general number but…
RMV Business Partner Website
April 8, 2024 Effective immediately, the RMV Business Partner Communication website that resided on massrmv.com has been redirected to Mass.Gov/RMV. The new website URL is https://www.mass.gov/rmv-business-partners. The website pages have been updated and moved to a central location which provides improved access. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].
Assisted Living Coverage
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of March 2024. Question I have a client. He & his wife are both Named Insured (NI). He is now in a nursing home. Policy on HO 00 05 05 11. I believe the HO 04 59 05 11 Assisted Living…
Updated Company Auto Filings – March 2024
March 27, 2024 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. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].
DOR’s Child Support Services Division
March 3, 2024 Effective April 1, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will change the name of its Child Support Enforcement Division to the Child Support Services Division. ATLAS, RMV webpages, and all RMV letters that reference child support requirements will be updated to reflect the new name this week. The next version of the Driver’s Manual…
Coverage for MAIP Policy on Imported Vehicle
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of March 2024. Question I have a question regarding a personal auto policy. One of my clients plans to import a 1995 Nissan ATLAS from Japan for personal use, with no business involvement. The vehicle weighs 6000 pounds and has the…
Private Passenger Residual Market Modifications to Manual Rules, Amendments to Rule 27.
Effective May 1, 2024, the Private Passenger Residual Market Modifications to Manual Rules have been approved. SUVs are included in section B with pick-ups and vans now have the limitation on delivery that is only “incidental to the insured’s business of installing, maintaining or repairing furnishings or equipment” and they also increased the GVWR from…
Lease Buyout Dealer Advisory
March 3, 2024 The RMV has received questions from dealerships about the process of purchasing a vehicle at the conclusion of a lease agreement, commonly known as a lease buyout. The questions are about instances where the buyout has taken an extended amount of time (more than 20 business days) and the purchaser/lessee had to rent…