Auto Rental
Auto Rental QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 09, 2019 It’s that time of year again & “is a car I rent covered for physical damage & liability, the same as my vehicles listed on my policy” is being asked. While we always state, BUY…
Trailers and Business Use
Trailers and Business Use QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 11, 2019 We have a strange question. We have someone who has a boat trailer. It is 4000 lbs. They tow it with their business vehicle. The business vehicle is the only vehicle they have…
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – July 2019
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – July 2019
Reckless Driving Violation Surcharge Points Increase
Reckless Driving Violation Surcharge Points Increase MAIA and all Carriers have received the following notice from the Merit Rating Bureau regarding increases to the surcharge points applied to reckless driving violations under two ATLAS violation codes. The changes may have implications for your insureds who have these violations on their record.
CAR Deems Multiple Changes to Rules of Operation Effective July 23
CAR Deems Multiple Changes to Rules of Operation Effective July 23 Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) issued two recent Bulletins (No. 1083 and No. 1084) announcing that 16 amendments to the Rules of Operation have been deemed approved, effective July 23, 2019, and one proposed amendment was disapproved.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) and Insurance
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) and Insurance QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 08, 2019 I have a question in regards to handling OUI drivers, the registry and auto insurance. My insured has suspended license. She will need a breathalyzer in her car per court. She…
MAIA’s Bold New Ad Campaign is Live
MAIA’s Bold New Ad Campaign is Live UPDATE: New Ad Campaign is Generating Buzz!MAIA’s 2019 consumer ad campaign has been running on Facebook, Instagram, Pandora, Hulu, and other digital channels for several weeks, targeting potential MA insurance seekers with bold, edgy ads promoting the value of local independent insurance agents. THANK YOU to all who…
Auto Ins. PAP vs. Comml
Auto Ins. PAP vs. Comml QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 11, 2019 I recently (two months ago) wrote a new personal auto policy for an acquaintance who handed me the expiring declarations when he asked me to write his insurance. He is a 68…
Let Number One Help You Cover YOUR Home Plate!
Let Number One Help You Cover YOUR Home Plate! Summer’s here — no better time to team up with Number One. Let us cover all your agency’s bases with top-quality coverage options like these:
Rental Coverage and Kids
Rental Coverage and Kids QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 12, 2019 We have had this question several times recently and get different answers from different companies. So thought I’d ask you. Mom & Dad have mass auto w/ Collision & Comp, 250/500k liab etc. …
WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Residual Market Loss Ratio and Burden Estimate 07-19
WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Residual Market Loss Ratio and Burden Estimate 07-19 The MA Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIBMA) released Special Bulletin 07-19, Residual Market Loss Ratio and Burden Estimate.
Lawful Presence – Valid Length of Stay
Lawful Presence – Valid Length of Stay To be eligible to obtain a driver’s license or ID card, a customer who is a non-U.S. citizen must have been granted lawful presence in the U.S. for at least 12 months (a valid length of stay).
Auto Pollution Liability
Auto Pollution Liability QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 15, 2019 I have a question regarding pollution liability. We just took over an auto policy for a client that is a portable bathroom rental company. I noticed that the current policy did not have any…
Donated Vehicle and Requirements for Use
Donated Vehicle and Requirements for Use QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 10, 2019 Good Morning Irene, I have a unique situation, one of our nonprofits received a 2009 Ford F450 as a gift. The vehicle is presently being retrofitted at the vocational school (we have an inland…
MAIA Registry Procedures Manual July 2019 Updates
MAIA Registry Procedures Manual July 2019 Updates As many of you know, MAIA produces a wonderful resource to help agencies navigate the complex world of the MA RMV: The Registry Procedures Manual. Available by subscription and updated twice a year, the comprehensive digital manual puts the ever-changing rules, regulations, and forms from the MA RMV…
Principal Place of Business
Principal Place of Business QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 01, 2019 Regarding Principal Place of Business Certificate Form-I have a guy with a Ceded CL Auto Policy and his vehicle is registered to himself-he lives in Newburyport and his vehicle is garaged there. However,…
MA Extends Open Enrollment Period for Benefit Year 2020
MA Extends Open Enrollment Period for Benefit Year 2020 The open enrollment period for the 2020 benefit year in Massachusetts will extend from November 1, 2019, through January 23, 2020 (well beyond the standard end date of December 15.) The MA DOI issued information on this special enrollment period in Bulletin 2019-03, Guidance Regarding Open…
Carvana
Carvana QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 02, 2019 Wondering if you have heard of problems with insureds purchasing vehicles from Carvana- they will not sign over the title to the insured until 7 days after they purchase it because the insured has 7 days…
Travel Trailers used at Seasonal Campground
Travel Trailers used at Seasonal Campground QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 02, 2019 Happy Spring Irene: It came up in conversation with an underwriter from a particular insurance company that if a travel trailer is parked for the season (April-October) at a campground, that…
Agent Stamped RMV Form/Carrier Declined to Write
Agent Stamped RMV Form/Carrier Declined to Write QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 11, 2019 Reaching out to clarify – if we receive a new business application to review, and ultimately decline due to it being an ineligible risk, but the agency stamped an RMV…
Rough Notes Magazine Shines a Spotlight on Big “I” Hires
Rough Notes Magazine Shines a Spotlight on Big “I” Hires If we told you that finding new talent is a huge struggle in our industry, you’d probably say, “thanks, Captain Obvious.” However, as this excellent article by Christopher Cook of Rough Notes magazine explains, help is available to our members through Big “I” Hires, the…
Rented Handicap Accessible Van – Coverage
Rented Handicap Accessible Van – Coverage QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 11, 2019 Good Morning Irene, I have a question for you. My insured has a private passenger auto policy; they need to rent a handicap accessible van for a 24 hour period. The…
Shout Out to MAIA Advocacy Fund Donors
Shout Out to MAIA Advocacy Fund Donors We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following donors for supporting the 2019 MAIA Advocacy Fund! In Massachusetts politics, you never know when the next legislative, regulatory, or judicial battle will arise. But when it does, you know that MAIA will keep independent agents’ voices loud and clear…
Number One Shares Updates about Cyber Liability, Liquor/Assault & Battery, and More
Number One Shares Updates about Cyber Liability, Liquor/Assault & Battery, and More
Good News for IAs About Millennial Insurance Buyers
Good News for IAs About Millennial Insurance Buyers A new Liberty Mutual Insurance and Safeco Insurance research study shows that millennial insurance consumers’ views of insurance are largely aligned with older generations, dispelling many myths about this generation and presenting a huge opportunity for the independent agent channel.
Umbrella Quoting with MVR Information
Umbrella Quoting with MVR Information QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 22, 2019 I know this is an issue we have gone over a few times with you. In regards to quoting an umbrella we know we cannot provide MVR printouts. To obtain the quote…
Bus Conversion to Camper
Bus Conversion to Camper QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 16, 2019 I cannot find the requirements needed to register a bus into a camper. I have had no luck finding that information.
Rate Comparison with Other States
Rate Comparison with Other States QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 17, 2019 How can I get any date regarding rates by coverage in comparison to other state for auto? For instance, I’d love to know where our collision, PD and comp rates are vs.…
Resident Benefit Package
Resident Benefit Package QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 17, 2019 This has nothing to do with an auto policy , but perhaps you can direct me to someone else. We have a client that is renting and has purchase a tenants policy thru our…
Deland, Gibson Insurance Renews Five Star Agency Designation
Deland, Gibson Insurance Renews Five Star Agency Designation The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) has renewed the prestigious Five Star Agency Designation for Deland, Gibson Insurance of Wellesley. MAIA noted that Deland, Gibson has been a Five Star Agency since 2000 and continues to demonstrate excellence in the five imperatives associated with the designation:…
WCRIBMA Releases Insured Assessment Rates for All Policies Effective July 1
WCRIBMA Releases Insured Assessment Rates for All Policies Effective July 1 The MA Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIBMA) has issued Circular Letter No. 2350, dated June 28, 2019, and titled Department of Industrial Accidents Assessment. The letter lists the official assessment rates to be applied to policies effective July 1, 2019 and thereafter.
Tech Talk: Employment-Related Practices Insurance (EPLI) – More Important Than You Think
Tech Talk: Employment-Related Practices Insurance (EPLI) – More Important Than You Think By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA
Should I Send a 2A??
Should I Send a 2A?? QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 17, 2019 I have a strange situation and don’t know how or if I do a BU2A for it. The insured’s mother has a leased vehicle that the daughter took over. The leasing company…
Massachusetts HO Policy
Massachusetts HO Policy QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 04, 2019 I am looking for the most up to date copy of the Massachusetts Homeowners policy and the Massachusetts Auto policy. Some of our auto body shops are stating that they will not work on…
Substitute Transportation
Substitute Transportation QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 21, 2019 What is the rule for rentals in a third party claim? Twice I have had issues with Progressive and GEICO stating that we have to use their company to appraise the vehicle in order to…
TNC Endorsements
TNC Endorsements QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 22, 2019 Are there any companies in MA besides Commerce that offer the TNC endorsement?
CAR’s MAIP Steering Committee Votes to Amend Rules 21–33 & 36–39
CAR’s MAIP Steering Committee Votes to Amend Rules 21–33 & 36–39 In Bulletin 1082, Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) announced their vote to amend the following CAR Rules of Operation, which define the policies and procedures by which Members, Assigned Risk Companies, and Assigned Risk Producers are governed with regard to the operation of, and participation…