Online Renewals for Standard Driver’s Licenses & ID Cards
As of June 4th, the RMV is allowing standard Driver’s Licenses & ID Cards to be renewed using photos that were taken when customers were under 21 years old (as long as the photo was taken less than 14 years ago). The stopper that prevented this has been removed from ATLAS. This change makes more…
25% Capacity Limitations for Essential Businesses
Questions remain about how to interpret the mandatory requirement that all Massachusetts businesses, even those deemed essential, limit their office to “25% occupancy.” According to the state’s written safety standards, the 25% can be based on EITHER the maximum occupancy limits set for your building/space per code – OR – your business’ typical occupancy as…
Dam Failure: A Lurking Flood Menace in MA
You may have heard about the dam failure in Central Michigan last month. 10,000 people evacuated. Roads and bridges closed. Could that happen here in Massachusetts? Unfortunately, yes! According to 2018 statistics from damsafety.org, 817 of the 1431 state-regulated dams in Massachusetts have either a “high” or “significant” hazard potential. (And that’s not counting private…
Tow Behind Camper
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 3, 2020 QUESTION I have a client who is thinking of renting a tow behind RV Camper; would his normal auto policy cover or what does he need to do? Thanks a bunch!
Insured is Driving a Ruckus
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 3, 2020 QUESTION I am sorry to bother you but I can’t put my hands on a tech talk that you sent out regarding the classification of mopeds vs limited use vs motorcycles. One of our young insureds purchased…
RMV Opens Another B2B Center at Boston-Haymarket
As of June 8, the MA RMV service center at Boston (Haymarket) is open for B2B transactions only. This is in addition to the B2B centers at Milford, Wilmington, Attleboro, and Chicopee. You may drop off transactions/bundles at these locations, but will not be allowed to wait for pick-up. New IRP transactions are still being…
Cancel Request Form
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 23, 2020 QUESTION I’m just trying to clear up a dispute I have with another agent. This agent rewrote a flood policy our agency had in place. I requested a cancellation from the new agent. The new agent is…
Producer License Extensions & Online Renewals
The MA Division of Insurance (DOI) has ruled that if your Massachusetts insurance producer license was in good standing when the state of emergency was declared on 3/10/20, it will not expire until 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted (whenever that may be; the Governor has yet to announce it). However, licenses…
IntellAgents Salary Survey – Bridging the Agency Data Gap
“Data” is becoming the key difference between agencies that thrive and those that get left behind. MAIA’s investment in IntellAgents is helping our members bridge the data gap by revealing how you compare with other Massachusetts agencies … starting with the new and improved Salary Survey that answers the age-old question: What are the average…
New Consumer Ad Campaign Coming Soon – Make Sure You Can Get Leads!
Thanks to the generosity of our company sponsors, MAIA will soon release our new 2020 ad campaign on a variety of digital channels, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more. The ads will target “adult mindset millennials” in Massachusetts, whose age, education, income, and life stage make them likely to need insurance, and unlikely to have…
Offer Home Business Insurance to Teachers and Tutors
The coronavirus pandemic has created a new educational landscape, and independent home-based teachers/tutors have a large role to play in helping students and families keep up with learning demands. Whether teaching in person or virtually, an independent teacher who owns their own business should have coverage for property and liability exposures. Offer them an RLI…
Member Survey Indicates Massachusetts Agents Expecting Declines in Commission Revenue
MAIA recently conducted a member survey to learn how agencies are operating during COVID-19, whether they had received stimulus money, if they were anticipating layoffs or drops in commission revenue, and so on. We wanted to know more about how independent agents have been faring, and how MAIA’s assistance can be most effective. We’re grateful…
Trailer Converted to Portable BAR
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 24, 2020 QUESTION Any input on this situation would be appreciated. A client bought a horse trailer and is converting it into a portable bar. She will take it to events (private wedding in a yard) and serve alcohol.…
Agents Beware – COVID-19 Brings Out the Worst in Some Direct Writers
A MAIA member whose agency is on the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system alerted us to a disturbing trend that’s become more common during the COVID-19 crisis. At least one of the online direct writers (one of the BIG GUY companies) has been selling auto policies, but can’t get new plates for the customers. Their…
License Suspension
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 27, 2020 QUESTION May I ask a question, please, about the MAP?If an insured is driving on a suspended license, are any of his coverages voided? We have an insured whose license was suspended and his reinstatement hearing, scheduled…
BAP and Personal Trailer
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 27, 2020 QUESTION We have a client with just a business auto policy and he wants to pull his personal travel trailer (RV) with one of the vehicles. Will liability go to travel trailer when being pulled? Does the…
Certificates of Registration Mailing Delay
Due to a shortage of 2022 embedded decal stock, mailings are delayed for Certificates of Registration that were renewed online, by phone, or by mail beginning on 5/22/20. You can reassure your customers that all registrations expiring March through June have been extended until July 31, and law enforcement has been notified, so they should…
Customer Passed Away – MAP
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 30, 2020 QUESTION One of our insured’s passed away. His son was listed as principal operator on his vehicle. Is it ok for him to drive until he is able to get put in his name? Thanks
Extended Service Hours & Online Learner’s Permit Tests
The RMV has begun implementing some service adjustments to help meet increasing customer demands. As of June 1st, all 10 RMV Service Centers that are open to the general public are extending their hours of operation. In addition, the RMV is working on a solution to offer online Class D and M learner’s permit exams…
Registry News: Further Extensions on Most Credentials, Passenger Plate Registrations, Inspection Stickers
The RMV is implementing further extensions for expiring motor vehicle inspection stickers, passenger plate registrations, professional credentials, and driver’ licenses and learner’s permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CDLs / CLPs). While the RMV has previously announced extensions for most credentials, passenger plate registrations, and inspection stickers expired or expiring in March,…
MAIA Submits Testimony Opposing MA S.2655 Business Interruption Bill
MAIA’s advocacy team is working hard to oppose S.2655, the Massachusetts Business Interruption bill, which seeks to legislatively apply BI coverage retroactively to claims based on COVID-19. On May 21, MAIA submitted testimony outlining the reasons for our opposition, and recommending a more equitable, federally funded alternative. We asked our national association, the Big “I,”…
Registry News: Copies of Crash Reports Can Only Be Requested Online
Effective immediately, copies of crash reports can only be requested online. They are no longer available by mail or in person. The RMV website has been updated to indicate this and the RMV Request for Copy of Crash Report Form has been removed from the web. If your clients need to submit a crash report,…
CARVANA AGAIN
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 5, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that wanted to purchase a vehicle through Carvana. They are telling her that she has 7 days to drive the vehicle on interstate plates. Can you please tell me if the same…
“New” Salary & Benefits Survey – It’s Shorter & Easier!
As MAIA and IntellAgents continue to compile comprehensive benchmark data and actionable insights for Massachusetts agencies, we’re thrilled to (re-)launch the Salary & Benefits Survey. Shorter and more-user friendly than the original version, this survey asks for only enough information to answer our members’ favorite question: What is the average compensation for producers, CSRs, IT,…
Strategies for Agencies to Map Out a Successful Road to Recovery: On-Demand Webinars
Innovation. Growth. Not typically two words that your agency is thinking about these days in the midst of a global pandemic. But recently, four of our fellow Big “I” state associations (New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas) joined together to host a one-day, virtual summit to provide agencies with strategies to map out a…
Flood Stealing Your Time? Never Fear, Your Team is Here!
F-L-O-O-D. That little five-letter word so many agents and CSRs dread. I don’t have time to dedicate to my flood book! It’s so hard to keep up with the changes and rules! I cringe when a client says they need flood insurance! If that sounds like you, it’s time to call the Flood Concierge Team…
Agreed Value
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 5, 2020 QUESTION I hope you are doing well despite everything that is going on and that you and your family are safe and healthy. I’ve taken several of your classes and I think you would be able to…
GarageKeepers
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 13, 2020 QUESTION Carrier added a form MM9920 to a Garagekeepers policy and they won’t remove it. Is this form mandatory? Thank you
Registry News: Essential vs. Non-Essential Transactions During Pandemic
The RMV continues to act out of an abundance of caution throughout the duration of Governor Baker’s State of Emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To adhere to the Governor’s plan to safely reopen Massachusetts, the only transactions that will be processed at Service Centers are those that the RMV considers “essential.” Effective…
BOP
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 11, 2020 QUESTION I hope you are doing well through all this! We have a question… We are quoting a hotel. They have a management company that pays all the expenses and collects receipts. In the event of a…
Registry News: Attleboro B2B Service Center Opening May 26
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is opening an additional dedicated B2B Center at the Attleboro RMV next Tuesday, May 26, 2020. This is in addition to the existing Milford, Wilmington, and Chicopee dedicated B2B Service Centers. New IRP transactions will not be processed at the Attleboro B2B but will still be conducted at the Milford and Wilmington Service…
CARVANA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 13, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that is purchasing a vehicle from Carvana online . They are asking me to stamp the RTA form and send it back to them. They send me the title but said they…
Reopening: Template for Creating Written Control Plan
All businesses in the state of MA (including those deemed essential, such as insurance agencies) are required to develop a written control plan outlining how the workplace will comply with the mandatory safety standards for operation in the COVID-19 reopening period. The state has created a template that may be filled out to meet that…
DOI Calls for Carrier Flexibility in the Administration of Vacancy Clauses
The Division of Insurance (DOI) has issued Bulletin 2020-17, dated May 18, 2020, which acknowledges the fact that many MA businesses not deemed essential were required to close, and advising all property and casualty carriers in MA that they “should be looking for all ways to be flexible in counting days of vacancy to provide…
We Know Flood Insurance & We Can Help You!
Warning! Heavy rains are on the radar, especially this time of year! Anywhere it rains – it can flood. Are your insureds ready and protected with this important coverage? Do you offer flood to every insured? Why do we ask? Consider these statistics:
Mortgagee Question
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 14, 2020 QUESTION I hope all is well with you. Hoping you can shed some light as I’ve been going back and forth with insured and bank on this. Bank is requesting to be listed as a Mortgagee for…
Registry News: RMV is Defining Its New Normal & Your Feedback Can Help
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is currently looking at all of its workflow processes to determine what the “new normal” will look like as Massachusetts moves toward reopening. MAIA spoke with the RMV and learned that there will be both short- and long-term changes, but these are still in the discussion stage. Rest…
Operators and the MAP
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 15, 2020 QUESTION We have a potential client that bought a car for his grandson but kept it in his own name until grandson was 18. About 9 months after grandson got his license he was in an accident…
Pre-Existing Damage
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 12, 2020 QUESTION First and foremost, hope you are all safe… if not sane! Irene, as I texted you this morning, thanks for calling me back and leaving a voicemail yesterday, so sorry I missed you. Given you are…
Voluntary Revocation of Operating Authority: Q&A from FMCSA
Many companies that operate apportioned, plated tractor trailers registered under IRP have suspended operations, and may be considering voluntary revocation of their operating authority. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received numerous questions about this, and agents may be getting questions about the related insurance ramifications. The FMCSA has created a Q&A sheet,…