UBER/LYFT & Door Dash
UBER/LYFT & Door Dash 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 27, 2020 QUESTION We have a client who does Door Dash,, Uber and Lyft. Personal policy does not cover Door Dash at all, food delivery. He does not qualify for Commercial Auto. He has had…
A Message from MAIA’s President Regarding COVID-19
A Message from MAIA’s President Regarding COVID-19 Dear MAIA Members, As developments continue to unfold with COVID-19 (coronavirus), MAIA has started receiving questions regarding the status of upcoming meetings and events. While we have not altered any plans at this point, we are monitoring the situation closely. If changes or cancellations should become necessary to…
MAP vs BAP and Mopeds
MAP vs BAP and Mopeds 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 1, 2020 QUESTION Hi. Thanks for your help in the past; we’re seeking some more helpfulness! Three questions: Do you have a good summary, or can you refer us to one, which describes the…
Leased Vehicle Buy Out
Leased Vehicle Buy Out This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 26, 2020 QUESTION I have a client who had a lease under his name, but has decided to purchase the vehicle for his business. I’m in the process of completing the RTA. My understanding is…
RMV Changes Timeframes for Registration Revocation
RMV Changes Timeframes for Registration Revocation The MA RMV has released a bulletin titled “Insurance Policy Management (IPM) Registration Revocation Timeframes” to alert insurance carriers and agents that the proposed implementation dates are changing for Revocation of Registration due to “No Policy” or “Expired Policy.” These additional revocation actions will be under review with the…
Coronavirus Resource Page for Agents – Bookmark It!
Coronavirus Resource Page for Agents – Bookmark It! Our national association, the Big “I,” has created a Coronavirus Resource Page to provide one-stop access the latest tools and information for members to prepare for and respond to the ongoing situation. We encourage you to bookmark the page and refer to it frequently for updated information…
Cancel a Registration Once Vehicle is Registered to Another
Cancel a Registration Once Vehicle is Registered to Another This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION How do I cancel a registration for my customer when the vehicle is already registered to another person?
Trade In Allowance
Trade In Allowance This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION I had a call from an insured. She was told the following: Mass will not allow trade in allowance for Construction Trailers or Mobile Equipment (plated) any longer? Can you please check on this…
A Successful First Principals & Young Agents Event
A Successful First Principals & Young Agents Event MAIA’s Young Agents Committee had the opportunity to host a first-of-its-kind event on Wednesday, March 4, inviting both young agents AND agency principals to The Plumbing Museum in … where else but… Watertown! The unique setting was a great spot for the attendees to “flush” out innovative…
DOT and SDIP
DOT and SDIP This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION I have an insured asking if he was surcharged when driving his DOT registered vehicle by a DOT officer, should that/would that show as an incident on his driver’s license, as well? He…
Vehicle Going From Business to Individual
Vehicle Going From Business to Individual 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION I have an insured that wants to change his business vehicle to personal. He has a title from the lienholder but it’s made out to the company name. What do…
Tech Talk: Coronavirus and Commercial Business Shutdown… Covered or Not?
Tech Talk: Coronavirus and Commercial Business Shutdown… Covered or Not? Coronavirus and Commercial Business Shutdown… Covered or Not? By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Special Bulletin: RMV Agrees to Delay New B2B Check Policy
Special Bulletin: RMV Agrees to Delay New B2B Check Policy Your voices have been heard. The implementation date for the RMV’s new B2B Check Policy, which states that RMV employees can no longer fill out checks for customers, has been moved from March 1 to March 30, 2020.
MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual: The Best $149 You’ll Spend This Year
MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual: The Best $149 You’ll Spend This Year If your agency handles MA auto insurance, MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual could be your dream come true. It’s an all-in-one digital resource with more than 1,000 searchable pages of Registry procedures, services, forms, codes, and more, all freshly updated with the latest ATLAS information.…
Dual Wheel Truck & Registration
Dual Wheel Truck & Registration 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 19, 2020 QUESTION I have a client who has a 13000 lb. dual wheel dump truck that has a CON plate on it currently and is on a commercial policy- he uses it for…
ATLAS Q&A, Straight from the RMV (UPDATED) – 3/1/2020
ATLAS Q&A, Straight from the RMV (UPDATED) – 3/1/2020 UPDATED Q&A as of 3/1/2020!(Includes all previous questions, plus several new ones.) MAIA’s Member Relations Advocate Kathy Cormier continues to field your ATLAS questions, seeking clarity from the MA RMV as needed. She has updated the list of ATLAS Q&As, and created a downloadable PDF that…
Dissolved Corporation and Coverage
Dissolved Corporation and Coverage his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 13, 2020 QUESTION A corporation dissolves and there are vehicles in the business name. The principal has not yet transferred/sold the vehicles to another party so they are still registered in the corporate name. What…
Inland Marine & Driving Records
Inland Marine & Driving Records his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 13, 2020 QUESTION I remember from one of your classes that we shouldn’t be giving out driving records… I have an Inland Marine policy for one of our insureds (delivers kitchen cabinets)… The carrier…
WOD with a DUI
WOD with a DUI his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 13, 2020 QUESTION Hope your week is going well. I just had a quick question for you- if a drunk driver gets in a not at fault accident with a sober person, will the drunk…
Commercial Auto and Drivers
Commercial Auto and Drivers his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 13, 2020 QUESTION My Commercial Dept lead came across a situation with Progressive that I am a little baffled by. First, she was given a very hard time putting a truck back on to the…
Spring is Coming and the WC Landscape is Warming Up
Spring is Coming and the WC Landscape is Warming Up February is about to end, and it won’t be long before Massachusetts heads back outdoors. Landscapers will be landscaping, pool cleaners will be pool cleaning… and agents will be insuring them! You can help small business risks like these by placing their workers’ comp coverage…
B2B Check Policy — Effective Date Moved to March 30, 2020
B2B Check Policy — Effective Date Moved to March 30, 2020 UPDATED Friday 2/29/2020
AILP: The New High-Caliber Insurance Designation
AILP: The New High-Caliber Insurance Designation Launched in January 2020, MAIA’s exciting new Accredited Insurance Lines Professional (AILP) designation program gives serious insurance professionals a new standard of excellence. Designed for the intermediate to advanced-level agency producer who wants an in-depth understanding of personal lines (PL) and/or commercial lines (CL) issues, AILP courses will strengthen…
Commercial Auto Vs. MA Auto Policy
Commercial Auto Vs. MA Auto Policy his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 14, 2020 QUESTION Once again, we are struggling with Commercial vs MA Auto Policy and how coverage works. We understand that if you have a camper trailer that you pull with a MA…
“Welcome Home” – New Special Plates
“Welcome Home” – New Special Plates Massachusetts’ new Welcome Home plate is a two-year passenger special plate whose proceeds will fund the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) Charitable Foundation. All pre-ordered plates have been delivered to RMV Service Centers.
RMV Makes New B2B Service Hours Permanent
RMV Makes New B2B Service Hours Permanent Agents and runners who handle the business-to-business (B2B) operations of bulk-related transactions should know that the RMV has made a permanent change to its B2B service hours. All items must be dropped off by 11:30 a.m. for same-day pickup by 4:30 p.m. Items dropped off after 11:30 a.m.…
Moving Out-of-State and Auto
Moving Out-of-State and Auto his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 14, 2020 QUESTION We have a client that has moved to New Hampshire and is insisting that by law all he has to do is call and request us to cancel his policy. We advised…
DOC and Car Rental
DOC and Car Rental his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION I have a questions regarding drive other car coverage on a commercial automobile policy. We have a commercial automobile policy for a business, the cars are owned by the company and driven…
Condo’s
Condo’s his question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION May you please email me some information on what is HO1734? I am trying to understand why this is a needed endorsement on a condo policy.
BAP and New Truck
BAP and New Truck This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION Our insured just advised us they have purchased a bucket truck at an auction and need liability coverage in order to pick up the vehicle. They have a commercial auto policy with…
Tech Talk: Total Loss Vehicle/Auto Valuation – BAP or MAP: Is the Insured Being Underpaid?
Tech Talk: Total Loss Vehicle/Auto Valuation – BAP or MAP: Is the Insured Being Underpaid? Total Loss Vehicle/Auto Valuation – BAP or MAP:Is the Insured Being Underpaid? By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Insurance Career Article by MAIA CEO Nick Fyntrilakis Published on MassLive
Insurance Career Article by MAIA CEO Nick Fyntrilakis Published on MassLive News website MassLive has published an excellent article by MAIA President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis, titled “Independent insurance agents expanding WMass workforce.” Citing facts and statistics, Nick explains why the insurance field is positioned for growth in western MA and across the state. At…
Hands-Free Electronic Device Law
Hands-Free Electronic Device Law The “hands-free” law took effect in Massachusetts on February 23, 2020. This law (Chapter 122 of the Acts of 2019) prohibits operators of motor vehicles from using any mobile electronic device, including a cell phone, unless the device is used in hands-free mode. Drivers 18 and Over Drivers 18 and over…
BAP and Dissolved Business
BAP and Dissolved Business This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 13, 2020 QUESTION A corporation dissolves and there are vehicles in the business name. The principal has not yet transferred/sold the vehicles to another party so they are still registered in the corporate name. What…
If a Car Dealer Discusses Insurance with a Customer, We Want to Know!
If a Car Dealer Discusses Insurance with a Customer, We Want to Know! This seems like a good time to remind agents that car dealers are not allowed to discuss insurance with their customers, according to MA Division of Insurance (DOI) Bulletin #2010-16 (“Involvement of Motor Vehicle Salespeople in the Solicitation, Negotiation or Sale of…
Markets
Markets This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 24, 2020 QUESTION Do you have any markets for a BOP small business owner?
Business Interruption/Loss of Income
Business Interruption/Loss of Income This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 24, 2020 QUESTION Customer operating a livery service, inquiring if coverage for Business Interruption, or Loss of Income,, is available, due to temporary loss of use for a vehicle, as a result of an auto…
Recruiting the Next Generation
Recruiting the Next Generation Insurance Career Month (February) is well underway, and Property/Casualty360 has pulled together a selection of career development articles, resources, and tips for recruiting and fostering new blood in our industry. Insurance is undergoing rapid change and disruption. For millennials and college students, who embrace technology and want variety and meaning in…
RLI Personal Umbrella Rate Change
RLI Personal Umbrella Rate Change MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency would like you to know that, effective April 1, 2020 for New Business, and June 1, 2020 for Renewals, RLI Personal Umbrella base rates will increase an average 5-6% for both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. On the positive side, while it is an increase, it…