Uber/Lyft Coverage
Uber/Lyft Coverage This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 27, 2020 QUESTION Question is when are or are you not covered when your vehicle is being used by Uber or Lyft?
Principals & Young Agents Event at The Plumbing Museum
Principals & Young Agents Event at The Plumbing Museum
Personal Information on Surcharge Notice
Personal Information on Surcharge Notice This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 27, 2020 QUESTION I’m wondering if you can help with something or maybe direct me to the right person. My colleague, manages our systems and everything technical in the office. His son had an…
At Fault Accident and Commercial Vehicle
At Fault Accident and Commercial Vehicle This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 28, 2020 QUESTION Hi, we are having a discussion in our office, One person thinks if you are driving a company vehicle that is in a inc. and get in a at fault…
Surcharge Appeal – Waiver of Deductible
Surcharge Appeal – Waiver of Deductible This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 28, 2020 QUESTION Good afternoon Kathy and Irene, I have a feeling I already know the answer to this, but it’s been at least a decade since I ran into this scenario. (See…
What is Property Damage
What is Property Damage This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 28, 2020 QUESTION Hello, I have a client who leases a retail space for her convenience store. A vehicle insured with Mapfre collided with her storefront, causing around $3700 in damage to her awning (that’s…
New Insurance Apprenticeship Program Takes Aim at Talent Gap
New Insurance Apprenticeship Program Takes Aim at Talent Gap February is Insurance Careers Month, ideal timing to announce a new, national insurance apprenticeship program from the nonprofit firm Invest. With approval from the Department of Labor, Invest will now begin partnering with local Big “I” state associations (like MAIA) to develop local apprenticeship programs that…
What’s Brewing this Valentine’s Day?
What’s Brewing this Valentine’s Day? Whatever your taste, champagne or beer, Number One’s program manager for Hospitality markets, Lori Kane, is ready to assist you with writing your accounts!
Hands-Free – It’s the Law as of Feb. 23
Hands-Free – It’s the Law as of Feb. 23 Are your clients aware that holding their cellphone while driving will soon become a surchargeable offense? Effective 2/23/2020, the new “hands-free” law in MA makes it illegal for motor vehicle and bicycle operators to hold any electronic device or phone, including when stopped at red lights…
Hired Auto
Hired Auto This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 30, 2020 QUESTION I have a client who has a commercial auto with 2 different carriers. One policy includes non-owned and hired liability. Am I correct that they don’t need to have that on both policies since…
Carrier Filings
Carrier Filings This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 31, 2020 QUESTION Good morning, Here’s a question posed to me: If the carrier sends their guidelines to the state for approval, is it state law that they have to follow those guidelines? A certain carrier will…
Updates on MAIA’s Legislative Priorities for 2020
Updates on MAIA’s Legislative Priorities for 2020 When’s the last time you visited the Massachusetts State House? 6th grade field trip? Not to worry. MAIA President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis and MAIA’s advocacy team are pretty well known under the golden dome on Beacon Hill. Nick recently discussed MAIA’s legislative priorities with state legislators at…
Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold with Bad E&O Coverage
Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold with Bad E&O Coverage E&O claims happen every day. Even good agents get pulled into claims! And that’s where MAIA’s Number One Agency comes in. We understand agents because you’re who we serve. We have markets that can help almost any P&C agency. Let us connect you to…
MAIA is Looking for New Instructors… Could You Be One of Them?
MAIA is Looking for New Instructors… Could You Be One of Them? MAIA’s Education team is known for providing high quality programs. The key to this success is our amazing instructors… and we need more of them! There are lots of great insurance people out there. There are lots of stellar teachers out there. Do…
MAP and Doctor Visit
MAP and Doctor Visit This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 12, 2020 QUESTION Under Mass auto is there a time frame that an injured party must see a Dr. Insured had accident 10 days ago, was told auto wouldn’t unless she sees a Dr.within 14…
2A Commercial Auto
2A Commercial Auto This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 14, 2020 QUESTION I am sorry if this seems like a dumb question but do I need to do a 2A if moving a commercial auto policy from one company to another within our agency?
Business Auto MA
Business Auto MA This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 15, 2020 QUESTION Many times in talking to clients and they inquire about a driver that is inexperienced or bad driving records when they find out it will effect their rate or they don’t qualify being…
IA Magazine Interviews MA Agent Bill Braley on Environmental Liability
IA Magazine Interviews MA Agent Bill Braley on Environmental Liability A big shout-out of congratulations to longtime MAIA member Bill Braley, SVP of Braley Wellington Insurance Agency in Worcester, who was featured in a recent issue of IA Magazine (a publication of our national association, the Big “I”). IA Assistant Editor AnneMarie McPherson interviewed Bill…
Tech Talk: BAP and Physical Damage Losses … Just When is Equipment Covered? P.S. Is it the Same for the Personal Auto Policy?
Tech Talk: BAP and Physical Damage Losses … Just When is Equipment Covered? P.S. Is it the Same for the Personal Auto Policy? By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Brockton Registry of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Center Temporarily Closed
Brockton Registry of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Center Temporarily Closed The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing that the Brockton Customer Service Center, at 490 Forest Avenue, is temporarily closed due to flooding caused by a water pipe that burst in the ceiling on Sunday, January 19. Building materials damaged by water must be…
Watercraft Insurance
Watercraft Insurance This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 16, 2020 QUESTION Can you clarify for me whether or not watercraft insurance is required in Massachusetts? I was under the impression it wasn’t? Is there any information you could provide me in regards to Watercraft insurance,…
Free Email Template to Generate Home Business Insurance Inquiries
Free Email Template to Generate Home Business Insurance Inquiries Seems like everybody’s got a side hustle these days! Many of your clients may be running home-based businesses, assuming their existing HO or renters policy will cover any business losses. In most cases that’s a big “Nope!” (And guess who they’ll blame if they find out…
Massachusetts Breaks InsurPac Record!
Massachusetts Breaks InsurPac Record! THANK YOU, Massachusetts, for once again showing the nation how it’s done! The 2019 InsurPac figures are in, and our little state was one of the first two states to EVER top six figures ($111,293) in total contributions! MA took the Presidents Cup for highest contributions from past and current state…
USDOT for Non-Commercial Vehicle
USDOT for Non-Commercial Vehicle This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 13, 2020 QUESTION I have an insurance agent who drivers an 11,000 pound pickup that is registered in the name of his agency. This is used to commute back and forth to work and may…
Borrowed Trailer Liability
Borrowed Trailer Liability This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 6, 2020 QUESTION I have a questions regarding liability on a trailer. If I let my neighbor borrow my trailer and my neighbor is found at fault for an accident will their liability coverage on their…
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – January 2020
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – January 2020
Standard of Fault
Standard of Fault This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 8, 2020 QUESTION Quick question to see if you would possibly know the answer or have a person for me to contact. Child who is a passenger opens his door hitting a car, does parent get…
Plate Cancellation Confirmation and Plate Cancellation Process
Plate Cancellation Confirmation and Plate Cancellation Process Great news! Agents can now print out a Plate Cancellation Receipt when you cancel a registration as a courtesy for your clients! CLICK HERE link to view a downloadable sample of the updated plate cancellation confirmation message, and screenshots to walk you through the process of printing the…
Book of Business in the WC Pool? Let’s See if We Can Move it Out
Book of Business in the WC Pool? Let’s See if We Can Move it Out MAIA’s Number One Agency works with multiple carriers in the WC market. If you have a book of business in the WC pool, let us review it with you to make sure that’s where they belong!
New Registration Requirement for Heavy Vehicles – Proof of HVUT Payment
New Registration Requirement for Heavy Vehicles – Proof of HVUT Payment Effective immediately, the MA RMV requires proof of payment of the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax payment (IRS Form 2290/Schedule 1) to register motor vehicles with a taxable gross rate of 55,000 pounds or more. Form 2290 is now required for initial vehicle registrations…
New MAIA Course Locations, Venues & Times for 2020!
New MAIA Course Locations, Venues & Times for 2020! Greetings from MAIA’s Education Team! Based on member requests, we made some improvements this year! We’ve brought back some popular locations; changed hotels or added new ones to our venue list; and added afternoon timeslots for some classes that used to be mornings-only! So PLEASE, when…
MOD Factor MAP
MOD Factor MAP This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 8, 2020 QUESTION Have you heard of any carriers in MA that are applying a mod factor to a MA Auto policy to charge more premium for a client that filed a not at fault accident? …
MA Arbitration
MA Arbitration This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 9, 2020 QUESTION I have a customer who is thinking about going to arbitration for a totaled car. I’ve never had a customer go through this. Could you explain the process? Thanks
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2359
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2359 The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Circular Letter No. 2359, dated January 10, 2020, and titled Manage Ownership Web-Based Tool.
Free Poster for Your Clients Who Sell Alcohol
Free Poster for Your Clients Who Sell Alcohol Cheers to YOU and the New Year!
Driving Records for a Fleet of Employees
Driving Records for a Fleet of Employees This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 2, 2020 QUESTION I have an agent that needs to get driving records for a fleet account with up to 45 employees. I suggested that they use the DVS Program and was…
Vehicle Appraisal Process
Vehicle Appraisal Process QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 2, 2020 In MA, does an insurance company need to have vehicle damage reviewed by a licensed appraiser on their end, or can they work with a body shop that does the appraisal, then negotiate the…
Automatic Voter Registration
Automatic Voter Registration Effective January 1, 2020, the Automatic Voter Registration process was implemented as part of the Permit, License, or ID transaction for new applications and renewals. Under the requirements of a new state law, the RMV will provide basic information from all license transactions to the Secretary of State’s office for voter registration…
Identification Requirements For Motor Vehicle Or Trailer Registration
Identification Requirements For Motor Vehicle Or Trailer Registration In order to register a motor vehicle or trailer in Massachusetts, you must prove your identity by providing specific documents to the RMV: READ MORE.
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2357
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2357 The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Circular Letter No. 2357, dated December 20, 2019, and titled Rate Filing, Pending Premium Change Endorsement. To access this Circular Letter, please use the following link: