New Online Duplicate Learner’s Permit Transaction
Effective Thursday, July 2nd, a new duplicate learner’s permit transaction will be available through the MA RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/RMV. Customers can use this transaction to pay for and print a duplicate permit. This will prevent the need for customers to visit a service center before their road test if they have lost…
MAIA Registry Procedures Manual – A Must-Have for All Who Work with the RMV
COVID-19 is changing everything at the MA RMV, and it’s tough to keep up. MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual is a must-have for anyone who works with the Registry. The keyword-searchable, online Manual puts “everything RMV” at your fingertips. It pays for itself in time saved for you AND your customers! MAIA is currently updating the…
Motorcycle Inspection Stickers Will Not Expire Until July 30
A further extension has been implemented for motorcycle inspection stickers. All motorcycle inspection stickers will now expire on July 31, 2020, consistent with the extension for all commercial and non-commercial inspection stickers. They had previously been extended only to June 30th.
Big “I” Launches New Pricing on IdealTraits Recruitment Platform
As we move toward reopening, many agencies will be looking to bring on new staff. One of the many hiring tools available to MAIA/Big “I” members is IdealTraits, a robust recruiting platform developed specifically to help insurance agencies identify, assess, and hire top performing sales and service staff. Effective today (July 1), the Big “I”…
“Worst Flooding in 10 Years” – Your Clients Need Coverage
Flash floods have been causing havoc in Massachusetts. Heavy rains, diverted water flows, water gushing out of storm drains… and into homes and businesses. And when your customer calls to make a claim because of water in their basement, you have to be the bearer of bad news: “You’re not covered.” If you’ve been avoiding…
IRP (Apportioned) Plates Expiration Extended by 3 Months
Good news! In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all currently active Massachusetts International Registration Plan (IRP) registrations that are due to expire on June 30, 2020 are now valid through September 30, 2020.
Temporary Change to JOL 6 Hours Driving School Observation Requirement
Instead of the 6 hours observing another student driver that is normally required, individuals with a junior operator’s license (JOL) can complete an additional 6 hours of supervised driving with a parent, guardian, or designee.
7-Day Law for Registration Transfer Temporarily Extended to 21 Days
The grace period to register a new vehicle has been extended from 7 days to 21 calendar days from the date a customer loses possession of their previous vehicle.
Traffic Violations that are Criminal
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 31, 2020 QUESTION You sent me a link or a file that discussed MA traffic violations and which were criminal …for the life of me I can’t find it ..do you have it in the next 30 minutes?
CAR Approves Commercial Supplemental Application for Servicing Carriers & ERPs
Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) has approved the use of a supplemental application for Servicing Carriers to collect general risk information for all commercial risks (See CAR Bulletin #1103); and updated the Manual of Administrative Procedures to identify Servicing Carrier and Exclusive Representative Producer and responsibilities with regard to the supplemental application (See CAR Bulletin #1104). …
RMV Service Center Openings and Changes on 6/29
On June 29th, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change the transactions they are processing.
Trailers
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 1, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured (commercial landscaper) that purchased an 8,000 lb. hydro seeder trailer from Georgia at a government auction, and was not given a title for it, just an invoice showing paid in full, which is…
Leased Vehicles
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 2, 2020 QUESTION I get these calls on leased vehicles and registrations and never am quite sure of the procedure. This one is buying out lease; she has a C&I plate she kept from last vehicle. So I don’t know…
7D Vehicle Registration Requirements
Effective immediately, two changes have been made to the registration requirements for School Pupil Transport (7D) vehicles.
RMV Opening Haverhill B2B Service Center June 29
Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and in an effort to continue protecting RMV staff, customers, and business partners, the RMV is opening a new, dedicated B2B Center at the Haverhill Service Center on Monday, June 29, 2020.
Kids at School
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 8, 2020 QUESTION I hear conflicting scenarios regarding parents excluding their kids while away at school.I hear some agents tell parents to NOT let their kids drive anyone else’s cars while excluded and I hear others say they can drive…
Tech Talk: Protest? Riot? Insurrection? Terrorism? What Just Happened and… Is It Covered?
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Block That Claim: E&O and Other Agency Coverage
When the going gets tough, you need a team that’s tougher. MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency is the leading seller of Agent’s E&O in MA, but we go above and beyond just that. We offer important coverages that aren’t always available elsewhere, such as admitted stand-alone Cyber and EPLI, Agency BOP, and Commercial Umbrella. Number…
RMV Registration Changes: IRP Expirations, Reinstatements & Renewals
Beginning immediately, the RMV is implementing the following registration-related changes: 1) IRP expiration date has been extended to September 30th; 2) Select insurance agents can process registration reinstatements; and 3) The option to renew in-person has been removed from the RMV-2 form.
Good News! RMV Allowing B2B Online Payments
The RMV has added an option that allows eligible B2B customers to make online payments. This new option will simplify the B2B process and make the pickup of your work seamless. When your transaction has been processed, the RMV will send you an email with a link to submit your payment for all transactions using…
Obtaining Driver Information
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 13, 2020 QUESTION Hi there – hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well. We have a MA Livery client who indicates that is telling us that in MA, the process for taxi companies is that…
COVID-19 HR Resources & Weekly Facebook Live Q&A Sessions
Need help tailoring your agency to the new realities brought about by the pandemic? Every Thursday at 1:00 p.m., you can bring your HR questions to a Facebook Live Q&A session hosted by Big “I” Hires with specialists from Affinity HR Group! The Big “I” has also compiled videos on current HR issues, best practices…
RMV Supervised Driving Receipt: Not a Learner’s Permit, But Close
Due to COVID, the MA RMV is allowing 16-year-olds to take the Learner’s Permit Exam online. Although these teens cannot get a Learner’s Permit until they visit an RMV location to present ID and get their photo taken, the RMV can issue a Supervised Driving Receipt. As outlined last week in the Governor’s Executive Order,…
Rental and Covered Operators
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 13, 2020 QUESTION I have a client..he has a MA Auto, MA License. His daughter lives in NY and will be staying at his home in NY (secondary home). She does not have a vehicle. She will be renting a…
CDL Medical Certificate Waiver Through September 30
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has waived the requirement for valid CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards) for customers with certificates that expired on March 1, 2020 or later. These customers have until September 30th to obtain a new certificate; if they do not, their CDL will be downgraded on October 1st.
Motorcycle Only Policy and Trailer
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 16, 2020 QUESTION Our insured who only has a motorcycle wants us to do an RTA for a homemade trailer. Can I stamp an RTA if he doesn’t have a vehicle to pull it?
2A Same Agent Different Company
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 12, 2020QUESTION Hoping everyone is doing well. Could you please tell me if it is mandatory to issue a 2A form or a signed LPR when an agent transfers an existing client to another carrier? Seems like a waste of…
New Executive Order Modifies Additional RMV Transactions
Governor Baker’s office has released another executive order addressing RMV issues with the goal of limiting in-person transactions. Signed June 12, 2020, this order affects drivers with learner’s permits, people seeking a REAL ID, and those who need to transfer a registration from one vehicle to another. Please read the full EXECUTIVE ORDER to see…
A Plan for Future Pandemics: National Insurance Leaders Discuss the BCPP
On June 16, The Hill newspaper published an op-ed article titled, “A Plan for Future Pandemics.” Bob Rusbuldt, president and CEO of the IIABA (Big “I”) was one of the writers. The article discusses the merits of the Business Continuity Protection Program (BCPP), “a new customer-focused proposal for a federal program tailored specifically to help…
Sample Message to Promote LPLI to Your Lawyer Clients
Do you have auto or homeowners clients who also happen to be lawyers? MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency makes it easy to offer an LPLI indication these prospects. Through Number One, you have access to Lawyers’ Professional Liability Insurance (LPLI) from Westport Insurance Corp., a member of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. We’ve drafted a sample…
MA Young Agents Give Back In Third Annual Give Movement!
MAIA’s Young Agents joined forces with Young Agents Committees across the country and the Big “I” for a week of giving June 1 to June 8. Since we couldn’t have in-person events, we asked our carrier sponsors if we could use their sponsorship and donate meals to those on the front lines of COVID-19 ……
Premium Grace Period Reverts to 30 Days for NFIP Flood Policies
FEMA has announced that renewal premiums for NFIP flood insurance policies expiring on or after June 16, 2020 will need to be paid within 30 days of the expiration date to avoid a lapse in coverage. Thirty days is the normal grace period. However, due to COVID-19, FEMA had extended the grace period to 120…
B2B Agents/Runners Should Expect 3-4-Day Turnaround Time
Now that insurance agents and runners are back to work, the RMV B2B locations are being inundated. The turnaround time is currently 3 to 4 days. Agents/runners will receive a call when their completed bundles are ready for pickup. Some B2B locations are sending bundles to other locations for processing. If you notice in ATLAS…
Coverage for a Foreign Driver
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 12, 2020 QUESTION Quick question, I believe… We have a client who is having his girlfriend stay with him here in MA for the summer (approximately 3-4 months). She is a Canadian citizen and has a valid Canadian drivers’ license.…
Get Reimbursed for Up to Half the Cost of These MAIA Training Courses
The MA Workforce Training Fund is a state program that provides financial resources to businesses for training current and newly hired employees. A number of MAIA’s courses have been approved for the Workforce Training Fund Express Program — AAI, CIC, CISR, CRIS, and CPIA designation programs, as well as Design-Build Risk and the Personal Lines…
Moving Company
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 12, 2020 QUESTION Where in the Comm’l MA Auto policy is loading and unloading discussed whether covered or excluded? I have a moving company and need to know relative to damaging other’s property if coverage is an auto coverage…
RMV Service Center Openings & Changes – June 2020
Over the next few weeks, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change the transactions they are processing.
Revised Class D and M Road Test Information Sheet and Road Test Application
The Class D and M Road Test Information Sheet (RDT101_0620) and the Class D or M Road Test Application (RDT103_0620) have been revised due to road test changes being implemented during the COVID State of Emergency. The revised versions have been posted to the RMV website. Download the Class D or M Road Test Application…
Online Learner’s Permits Exams for Class D & M
Starting June 10th, eligible individuals will have the opportunity to complete the Class D (passenger) or Class M (motorcycle) Learner’s Permit Exams online. To assist them, the RMV has created a job aid (downloadable instruction sheet) with details on what they need to do to successfully schedule and complete an Online Learner’s Permit Exam.
ADA & Website Accessibility: What Agencies Need to Know
Our national association, the IIABA (Big “I”), has alerted MAIA and other state associations that independent agencies in Florida have been receiving legal demand notices alleging that their websites are not accessible for visually impaired customers. [UPDATE July 14, 2020: Massachusetts agencies have also reported receiving similar emails.] Being able to demonstrate your website’s ADA…