Cancel Plate Registration
Question Cancel Plate After Vehicle Sold This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 8, 2021 I am trying to turn in plates in my office for a customer. The vehicle has been given to her nephew who has already registered the vehicle. When I go to turn…
Boat Claim – Wind vs. Collision
Question Boat Claim – Wind vs. Collision This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 5, 2021 We have a claim denial on a boat claim that I think should be covered. The boat is NOT insured on a boat policy. The only coverage (physical damage) coverage that…
Private Sale with Even Trade
Question Private Sale with Even Trade This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 8, 2021 I have a client who is doing an even trade thru a private sale on a motorcycle. Can this be done? How would he write up a bill of sale? Would we…
Workers’ Comp. Limited Out-of-State Endorsement
Workers’ Comp. Limited Out-of-State Endorsement This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 9, 2021 I hope you both are well and staying safe. Quick question on Massachusetts Assigned Risk workers compensation. A Mass based business is doing some work in NH. This is a Massachusetts based company and none…
Special Plate Reassignment
Question Specialty Plate Transfer This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 8, 2021 I’m working with a client who is buying out their lease. They currently have a specialty plate that was transferred from her name into the lease. If possible, she is interested in keeping the…
What Can I Tell You About Our MA PFML Product Line?
What Can I Tell You About Our MA PFML Product Line? Every quote I’ve delivered so far is lower than the state pricing! The application process is easy! The policy automatically renews! No annual census is needed! Required coverage means a consistent flow of commissions for your agency! That’s what Number One’s Ann Tobin says…
Incorrect Information on Police Report – Total Loss
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2020 QUESTION I do not know if you are able to provide any assistance but I am at a total loss. I have an insured whose vehicle was hit while it was parked in front of her home. The…
RMV Further Extends CDLs, CLPs & CDL Medical Certificates
RMV Further Extends CDLs, CLPs & CDL Medical Certificates The MA RMV has extended Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs), and CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards) to May 31, 2021. This will be the final extension. The RMV is working on updating customer records in ATLAS; the new expiration dates will display…
Why Are You Still Monkeying Around with Flood?
Why Are You Still Monkeying Around with Flood? Is flood taking up your account managers’ time? Are you always stumbling to quote or endorse flood? Get the monkey off your back! Roll your flood book to MAIA’s Number One Agency! Our experienced Flood Concierge team can sell and service your flood accounts for you,…
Video: Success Stories from Trusted Choice.com Advantage Agencies
“It’s the one bill I get every month that I’m happy to pay, because I know I’m making money off of it!” That’s what one agent said about his TrustedChoice.com Advantage subscription. MAIA’s digital ad campaign is going strong, promoting independent agents to MA insurance buyers, and pointing them to TrustedChoice.com to find a local…
New Year / New Business Commission Incentive for Number One’s WC Program
Great news for you and your Workers’ Comp clients! MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency is excited to announce higher commission rates for New Business with effective dates for February and March 2021! For the first year, commission increases will be 2% to 7.5% higher than our current rates, based on the carrier. Renewal commission rates…
MAIA Staff Retirement Announcement: Sheron Gagnon
Please join us in congratulating Sheron Gagnon on her upcoming retirement from MAIA! Sheron has been a valuable member of our staff for over 36 years. She has helped a countless number of members throughout her tenure with MAIA. She has also managed the trade fair at our annual Big Event Conference and Trade Fair. …
Senior Hours Extended Through March
Dedicated Wednesday appointment hours for customers 75 years of age or older have been extended through March. These appointments will be available to all customers 75 years of age or older.
Operator Assignment
Question Operator Assignment This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 17, 2021 Insured has two cars and three drivers. Dad point 2 Mom point 99 Daughter point 3 If I put both cars on one policy. Newer car gets daughters points, older car gets Dad’s point To…
ATLAS Issue with Mismatched Territory Codes Now Resolved
The MA Private Passenger Automobile Statistical Plan incorporated new territory codes for New Jersey (997) and Pennsylvania (998) effective 1/1/2021. When the ATLAS database was updated with the new codes, the system was inadvertently changing incident locations stored as Other (999) to Pennsylvania (998), particularly on Claims and Out-of-State Incidents. The system error has now…
Build a Strong Business & Protect it Well
We know the E&O competition is out there. And we want you to know that when you buy your Agents’ Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency, you’re purchasing a promise that we will do our utmost to protect your assets and serve your needs. We work with leading carriers, building…
Special Bulletin: MAIA’s Fair & Accurate Quotes Bill Becomes Law!
We are happy to announce that key language from “An Act Relative to Fair and Accurate Motor Vehicle Insurance Quotes”, was incorporated into the Economic Development Bill that was signed yesterday by Governor Baker. MAIA proposed the Fair and Accurate Quotes Bill after fielding complaints from members who were losing business to direct writers due…
Temporary Licenses and IDs Extended to 60 Days
Effective January 14th, temporary licenses (all classes) and ID cards printed on secure card stock will be valid for 60 days. They were previously valid for 30 days. Temporary licenses and ID cards issued prior to January 14th will still only be valid for their original 30-day period.
Online Learner’s Permit Exams Available in All ATS Languages
Beginning January 14th, online Class D and Class M Learner’s Permit Exams will be available in ALL of the languages that are available through the Automated Testing Station (ATS). Customers will be able to choose any of the following languages when taking an exam online.
Please Fill Out Cover Sheets Completely When Doing Registry Drops!
The Registry has asked us to remind our members that cover sheets must be filled out completely for individual and commercial transactions brought to Registration Drop Off Centers. They have noticed a trend where agents/runners/dealers are skipping some sections on the cover sheets, and then the clerk does not have what they need to finish…
Learn about Lawyer’s E&O and Add a New Product to Your Agency
MAIA’s Number One Agency has been selling Westport and E&S Lawyer’s Professional Liability Insurance (LPLI) policies since 2005, and we have grown the book over the past two years! Westport (AM Best Rated: A+ Superior) offers a competitive policy in both coverage and rate. Writing E&O for attorneys can sound a bit scary if you…
Massachusetts One of Top 3 State Contributors to InsurPac
MAIA extends a huge thank you to all from Massachusetts who participated in the 2020 InsurPac fundraiser. The Bay State contributed $73,817, exceeding our goal AND putting us among the Top 3 state contributors in the country! MA Young Agents also hit their InsurPac goal. After tallying the receipts and closing the books, the InsurPac…
Claim or Revalidate Your Free ACORD Forms License
A little over a year ago, the Big “I” and ACORD worked out an arrangement that allows member agencies (including MAIA members) with an annual group gross P&C revenue under $50 million to obtain a complimentary license to use ACORD Forms through their agency management system. (Big “I” members under $1 million in annual group…
Finally! MAIA’s Fair & Accurate Quotes Bill Is Set to Become Law
MAIA President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis (center) testifying on the Fair & Accurate Quotes Bill at the Massachusetts State House in 2019. MAIA’s persistence pays off! Bill H.4643, An Act Relative to Fair and Accurate Motor Vehicle Insurance Quotes, has jumped all but the final hurdle before it becomes law. It was incorporated into the…
Got a MA Health License? Use It to Show Clients Your Value
A great way to add value for your commercial clients is to offer them a private, stand-alone MA PFML policy at rates that are competitive with the state plan! MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency can assist you in writing a private PFML policy for your clients with 25+ employees. It’s a win-win. They get good…
A Word from Nick Fyntrilakis About QuickClicks!
UPDATE 1/13/2021: On 1/11/2021, we emailed the login instructions for a free, one-year QuickClicks subscription to the primary agency contact person on record (typically the owner/principal) for every MAIA member agency. If you are the primary contact but did not receive the email, please contact Heather Kramer at [email protected]. MAIA is proud to launch a…
Principal Place of Business
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 13, 2020 I have a question on a Maine registered vehicle. I have a commercial insured (Massachusetts business) that has reregistered one of his commercial trucks in Maine that was previously registered in Massachusetts. My Massachusetts auto carrier indicates…
Green Insurance Donates Cash to Local Not-for-Profits
An article in The Wilbraham-Hampden Times (Dec. 31, 2020) alerted us to the good deeds of a MAIA member from Western Mass! COVID-19 prevented the Richard R. Green Insurance staff from carrying out their longstanding holiday tradition of collecting and donating toys. So, they did a 2020 pivot and found a different way to do…
Be Alert for E&O Policy Implications Related to COVID-19
As the leading provider of Agents’ E&O coverage in Massachusetts, MAIA’s Number One Agency offers coverage from top carriers including Utica National. We’d like to share a recent E&O Risk Management Alert from Utica, which addresses some of the important policy implications arising from COVID-19, including the Communicable Disease Exclusion recently developed by ISO. Will…
New DOI Bulletins Urge Carriers to Remain Flexible & Proactive as COVID-19 Crisis Continues
Reiterating the expectations laid out in previous Bulletins, the MA Division of Insurance (DOI) on December 29, 2020, issued Bulletins 2020-30 and 2020-33, stating that insurance carriers and self-insurance groups should continue to be flexible in issuing and administering insurance. “Exploring all appropriate flexibility in arrangements and timing of payments will help protect policyholders while…
Don’t Lose Your Member Benefits! Renew Your MAIA Membership
MAIA’s 2020 membership period ended on December 31st. If you have yet renewed, you will be receiving a final invoice in the coming days. Please be sure to renew no later than January 31st to avoid losing your membership benefits! – including your subscription to The Mass. Agent newsletter; education discounts; access to MAIA’s technical…
BAP Rate Change Mid Term
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 13, 2020 I have a Customer with Progressive -on a Commercial Auto policy. When we wrote the policy back in May the Premium was around $21,000 Since then they have continually increased the Premium – It is now around…
Commercial Credentials (CDLs & CLPs) and Medical Certificates Extension
The expiration dates for Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs), and CDL Medical Certificates have all been further extended to February 28, 2021. Customer records will be updated to reflect the new expiration date.
Registration vs. Insurance Coverage
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 13, 2020 We are having a debate in the office regarding coverage once an RTA is stamped. For instance, we are writing a new policy effective today. RTA dated and stamped today for new plates. The insured has the…
OOS Vehicle new to MA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 09, 2020 I hope you can help clarify for me regarding registering and titling vehicles from out of state. I have an insured who recently moved from Michigan and is looking to register and title his 2 vehicle in…
Home Binder
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 10, 2020 You might be my auto expert but now I have question on home for anyone that wants to help me. I have a mortgage company insisting on a replacement cost estimator for a closing. I don’t think…
Commercial Registration Renewal Mailing Delays
The RMV is processing commercial registration renewals on the same day they are received. However, due to mailing delays with the U.S Postal Service, it is taking longer than usual for customers to receive their new registrations and decals in the mail. Once these renewals have been processed, ATLAS will show that they have been…