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…
ACV or RC
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 17, 2020 I hope all is well. I am hoping that you can clarify something for me. I have an insured who’s dwelling and shed was hit by a tenant driving his vehicle and then took off and was…
Registration Renew One Owner Passed Away
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 7, 2020 I’m having a brain cramp with this one. I have a client with revoked plates, that are in the name of her deceased husband and her. We need to reinstate the plate. Do I issue the RTA…
RMV Adds First-Time Drivers Webpage
The RMV has created a new webpage for first-time drivers: www.mass.gov/guides/first-time-driver-start-here
New COVID-19 Order Restricts Workplace Capacity to 25%, Indoor Gatherings to 10 People
On December 22nd, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 59, effective December 26th, which places new restrictions on the allowed capacity for gatherings and events in public spaces and workplaces. Most workplace sectors, including Office Spaces, are limited to 25% of capacity. Gatherings in private homes and public spaces are limited to 10 persons indoors…
License Surrender for Medical Reasons
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 7, 2020 My client needs to turn in her license she is no longer driving due to her eyesight. AAA told her that the Wilmington RMV branch cannot due MA Id’s to replace her license. She lives in Woburn what…
New Year, New Liquor Applications, and a Free Poster!
MAIA’s Number One Agency wants to “link” you up with some reminders and resources to help you serve your clients that serve or sell alcohol. First, there’s a link to watch a recorded version of Hospitality Mutual’s free webinar about new Liquor Liability program and product improvements (originally presented live on 12/17). We’ve also got…
Dealership Fees and Sales Tax
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 2, 2020 Have you ever heard of car dealerships charging sales tax on their document preparation fees?
Lease Buy Out
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 2, 2020 Insured bought out lease. Is the leasing company required to fill out and sign RTA application. If not would we just treat it as private sale and issue RTA from the agency? Thanks in advance for your help…
Senior Wednesday Hours Extended Through January at Many RMV Locations
Dedicated Wednesday appointment hours for customers 75 years of age or older will continue through January at the 17 RMV locations listed below. Senior hours vary by location, but most are 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. These appointments will be available to all customers 75 years of age or older so that they can transact…
Personal Vehicle Pulling Commercial Trailer
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 2, 2020 QUESTION A client of mine came to me stating that he is purchasing a utility trailer under the company name, and the company does not currently have an a business auto policy. The trailer will be towed by…
Waiver of Deductible
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 4, 2020 QUESTION I hope you can help me. I have an insured that is considering dropping her waiver of deductible for collision coverage. I’ve gone back and forth and am hoping you can send me the actual endorsement or…
When to Cancel a Policy
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 9, 2020 QUESTION When a customer cancels a plate, I was always trained to cancel the policy the day after the plate return receipt date. The agency I’m at now, has always requested the policy cancelled the day of the…
Clearing up Six Misconceptions About E&O Coverage
As the top provider of Agents’ E&O coverage in Massachusetts, MAIA’s Number One Agency offers coverage from top carriers including Utica National. Today we’re sharing a helpful E&O Risk Management Alert from Utica, which debunks six common E&O misconceptions that they hear all too often from agencies like yours. We all know what happens when…
On-Line Vehicle Purchase
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 17, 2020 QUESTION I have an insured who bought a car online and it was delivered over the weekend on temporary plates from Georgia. Obviously, we can add it to the policy if the paperwork is correct. He does have…
Customers Asked to Return to Resolve Issues
Starting on Monday, December 14, customers who have not received an email or phone call from the RMV within 10 business days of dropping off their transaction are instructed to return to the Registration Drop Off Center, as there may be issues with the transaction or paperwork that need to be resolved. If the customer…
Greenfield & Pittsfield Increase Commercial Drop Off Days
As of Monday, December 14, the Greenfield and Pittsfield Registration Drop Off Centers have increased the times they are available for commercial drop offs. Their new drop off days and hours are: Greenfield, 9:00am-4:00pm, Mon-Fri; and Pittsfield, 9:00am-10:30am Mon-Fri. However, drop offs will not be accepted during dedicated Senior Hours on Wednesdays through December; check…
Online Registration Renewal and Duplicate Changes
Effective immediately, the RMV has implemented the following changes: Form 2290 for Vehicles Over 55,000 Pounds: Customers renewing vehicles over 55,000 pounds now have the option to upload Form 2290 (Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return) during the online renewal. A dedicated RMV team will review the form and send the customer a link to…
7D Pre-Registration Inspection Policy Reversal
Effective December 1, 2020, established companies with currently registered 7D vehicles DO NOT need to submit new 7D vehicles for inspection and approval by Vehicle Safety and Compliance Services (VSCS) prior to registration. VSCS approval is only required for newly formed 7D companies with no prior 7D vehicle registrations. Once the initial pre-registration inspection is…
Withdraw a Claim
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 17, 2020 QUESTION How are you? I’ve never come across this before; an insured caused minor damage after rear ending another vehicle. After reporting it to his insurance co, he called back and withdrew the claim. Will he still receive…
Prior Premium Due
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 24, 2020 QUESTION I would normally pose this questions to MAIA site, however, trying to get immediate answer. I have new customer, owes premium from 5 years ago; says she never knew she owed it; prior agent did not collect…
No 2A and No PRR
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 1, 2020 QUESTION Irene, hope this email finds you and your family safe and well in the midst of this pandemic.I have this insured who never sent me a 2A form or cancelled her plates at RMV and is so…
Notice of Transfer of Insurer (2A)
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 3, 2020 QUESTION I am looking to find out if a notice of transfer of insurance, form 2A has any minimum information requirements. I did a quick scan of the MAIA 2020 RMV manual and did not come across anything.
RMV Adds Link for Requesting Help with myRMV Logins
The myRMV website uses a two-factor authentication system to protect customer data. This means that when a customer tries to log in, the system sends a security code via email or text. The customer then enters the code into myRMV to verify their identity and complete the login. If they are unable to access the…
Big Win for Members! CAR Agrees to MAIA’s Recommendation for Agent Commission Rates
We are proud to report that the CAR Governing Committee on Friday 12/4 voted unanimously to recommend that the current agent commission rate be “locked in” for foreseeable future rate filings. This is a significant change that will ensure that agent commissions will increase when premiums increase. MAIA had formally requested this change after our…
Auto and HO Policy Non-Renewals
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 7, 2020 QUESTION How long can a company refuse to rewrite a risk after they have been non-renewed by that same carrier? For example, if a carrier non-renewed in 2015 for claims experience and the insured has only had 1…
Cargo Van Conversion to Motor Home
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 2, 2020 QUESTION I have a customer who is converting a cargo van to a motor home. What I understand is I just do a registration change form asking for a change from Passenger plate to a Motor Home…
Out of State Trailer Purchase
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 2, 2020 QUESTION I have a question regarding a trailer. The insured purchased a 1995 trailer from a private party in Vermont. Our insured has it parked in a trailer park in Vermont and does not intend to move it.…
Trailer, Camper, Antique & Vanity Plate Renewals Delayed
The RMV has been delayed in processing renewals for trailer, camper, antique, and vanity plates that expired on November 30th. They expect that all renewal requests received by mail will be renewed by the end of the day Friday, December 4th, and ATLAS will show that they have been renewed. However, customers will not receive…
Registration Drop Off Central Distribution Process Change
Plates and/or registrations ordered through Registration Drop Off Centers are centrally distributed and mailed from the new Lowell Fulfillment Center once the transaction has been completed and payment has been received. Effective December 7th, this now includes customers with out-of-state and out-of-country numbers. Previously plates/registrations were only mailed to customers with Massachusetts state-assigned numbers. The…
Registration and Leased Vehicle Buy-Out
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 2, 2020 QUESTION Please let me know if I am not suppose to bother you with Registry questions because I don’t want to just bother you. So if that’s the case can you provide me with another email address that…