Compulsory Limits Bill – We Need Your Help!
MAIA is asking for your help in advancing our priority legislation this session: SB606/HB1006, “An Act relative to the compulsory automobile insurance limits,” filed by Senator Brendan Crighton and Rep. Michael Finn. The bill would increase the compulsory bodily injury limit for injury or death to one person from $20,000 to $50,000 and the limit…
Out-of-State Resident Temporary Plates – WIN for MAIA Members!
Last year, the Commonwealth enacted legislation allowing the RMV to issue temporary license plates to out-of-state consumers who purchase a vehicle in Massachusetts and want to drive their new car off the lot and to their home state for registration. MAIA successfully lobbied to include a provision in that legislation requiring out-of-state consumers to comply…
RTA and Personal Information
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of October 2023. Question I hope all is well in your corner of the insurance universe!! We have been advised long ago by our IT/Security firm that MA Privacy Laws prohibit the emailing of driver’s licenses as well as other data.…
IRP Job Aid & Supplement Applications
December 6, 2023 Due to changes in how data is entered into an IRP transaction, the IRP Supplement Application has been updated. The new application has been posted to the RMV website and is also linked for you here. Please begin using this revised application today. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email…
Glass Coverage
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of October 2023. Question Do you know if MA Auto Carriers are required to offer full glass coverage under comprehensive coverage, or can they just offer glass coverage with a deductible? Answer Laura Poulin: According to MA’s cracked windshield law, insurers…
WC Cert and 30-Day Notice to Cancel
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of October 2023. Question I have an insured who has a client requesting to be listed on the insured’s Workers Comp Certificate of Insurance and requested the certificate include a 30-day Notice of Cancellation to the 3rd party. I have not…
Saturday Hours Ending in Pittsfield
November 20, 2023 The final day for Saturday hours at the Pittsfield RMV Service Center will be November 25. It will be closed on Saturdays beginning on December 2. Pittsfield will continue to have weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and will also add additional appointments on Mondays. Read the full update…
Notice of Appearance of Counsel Form
November 20, 2023 Effective November 20, 2023, in order for an attorney to view or receive a customer’s record and to represent a customer in Driver Control Unit (DCU) Hearings, DCU will require a Notice of Appearance of Counsel form (DCU150). This form, also referred to as an NOA form, must have the applicable portions filled…
Free Replacement Plates After Failed Inspections
November 20, 2023 Effective immediately, when a customer requests a replacement plate (online, by phone, or in a service center) because their vehicle failed an inspection due to a damaged plate, the replacement plate will be free. ATLAS will automatically check for failed inspections and set the fee to zero if it finds a failed inspection…
The MAP: Temporary Substitutes and Use of Other Autos
November 17, 2023 Written By: Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW – Vice President of Technical Affairs, MAIA I always enjoy receiving questions from our agents. I especially like them if I can remotely answer them! Here is one of them: MAP And A Temporary Substitute…Or Not I work mainly in…
Recognitions and Awards Given at MAIA’s 2023 Annual Meeting
The following individuals were honored during MAIA’s Annual Meeting: Distinguished Service Awards: David J. McCormick, CPCU, CIC, Benjamin Cavallo, CIC, AAI, CISR and Gregory Knight. MAIA’s Board Charperson’s Award: Lisa Hirbour, CIC, CPCU Chair Award: John Fallon III, CIC James O. Herrick, Jr. Memorial Young Agent of the Year: Rebecca Smith, CISR, CCLP, CIC Henry F.…
Collision Coverage – If Hit by a Stolen Vehicle
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of October 2023. Question We had a prospect come into our office to insure his car. He said recently his car was hit while parked by a car that was stolen and involved in a police chase. He has collision, but…
Road Tests at Quincy Headquarters
November 7, 2023 The RMV’s Quincy Headquarters (25 Newport Avenue Extension) will open for road tests on Monday, November 6. Class D Road Tests will be offered Monday to Friday from 8:45am to 5:15pm. Customers will be directed to back into the dedicated, signed Road Test parking spaces in the parking lot (located near the marked…
Trailer Claim
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of October 2023. Question Auto – our insured (commercial policy) lent a trailer to his friend. His friend was in an accident. Hanover asked us to put in a claim under our insured’s policy. I “assume” because the driver’s vehicle insurance…
Trailers and Commercial Vehicles
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of October 2023. Question I wanted to check with you regarding trailers being pulled with a commercial vehicle. I have been under the understanding that if a trailer is being pulled with a commercial vehicle, it should be listed on that…
Data Privacy and System Changes per AGO
October 17, 2023 Effective October 12, 2023 – Changes to System, Processes and Forms. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is formally notifying you about the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) emergency data privacy regulations – in response to Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA) – and the changes to RMV processes, forms, and systems which must be implemented…
Rental Coverage
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of August 2023. Question Today, I had an underwriter tell me that the Mass Auto Policy (liability, collision, comp) does not extend to a rental vehicle. However, my understanding is that the coverage you carry on your Auto Policy will extend…
Revised Crash Report Request Form
October 10, 2023 The Request for a Crash Report form has been revised due to Work and Family Mobility Act requirements. A photocopy of the requestor’s license/ID is now required with the form. Crash Reports are no longer considered public records. The revised Crash Report form (CRASH101) has a date of “0923” in the lower right…
Revised History Search or Photocopy Request Form
October 10, 2023 The History Search or Photocopy Request Form (previously called the Title History Search or Photocopy) has been revised due to Work and Family Mobility Act requirements. A photocopy of the license/ID of the requestor is now required with the form. Additional transactions have been added to the History Search or Photocopy Request Form. This…
New Road Test Locations
October 10, 2023 The following new road test locations will open the week of October 9. These new locations will not offer any transactions other than Class D Road Tests. *DCR Location Weekday Hours – The public schedule will reflect the specific days of the week customers are able to schedule in DCR locations. Due to driving…
Rebating
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of July 2023. Question Good afternoon; I have a hypothetical. Can a licensed Insurance Agent or Producer accept Gift cards from Glass Companies? If yes, is there a limit on the gift card that an agent or producer can accept? Thank…
New CDL Road Testing Standard
October 10, 2023 Effective October 10, 2023, the RMV will begin administering commercial road tests using the new American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) modernized testing standard. Any applicant who is scheduled for or taking a full CDL Skills Exam on or after October 10 should be prepared to test on the new modernized…
Revised Driving Record and DPPA Forms
October 3, 2023 Due to the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), many RMV records request documents have been revised. Attached is a training update with the details of the change. The revised Driving Record Request form and the Request for Personal Information RMV Records (DPPA) are posted on mass.gov. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353…
Non-Profit and Liability for Employee’s Auto
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of July 2023. Question My question is this – if a non-profit corporation carries symbols 7 & 8 on an MA Auto coverage form, will liability coverage respond to an accident in a vehicle rented by an employee or volunteer for…
Announcing a New MAIA Program and a Participating Agency’s Grand Opening
We are pleased to announce a new program at MAIA! For the past six months, we have been piloting MAIA’s Agency Launch Program, a development opportunity for new agencies. Agency Launch is a two-year commitment between MAIA and the new agency designed to expose the principal agent and select staff to resources and necessary education…
Revised Registration and Title Application
October 2, 2023 The Registration and Title Application (TTLREG100) has been revised. The changes are as follows: The option “Apply for a non-resident short-term registration” was added to the “I want to” section at the top of the form. Several fields were enlarged to provide more space for customers to enter information. The Registration and Title…
Revised B2B Policy
October 2, 2023 To establish controls and standards for Business-to-Business (“B2B”) service and operation in RMV Service Centers, effective October 16, the RMV B2B policy has been revised. View the full update here. View the B2B Center Cover Sheet here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].
2023 MAIA Annual Meeting Announcement
NOTICE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS OF THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING. In accordance with Article XI, Section 1 of the bylaws, notice is hereby given to the members of the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents, Inc., that the Annual Meeting of the Association will be held on Friday, November 3,…
BAP Pollution Claim – Covered or Not?
September 25, 2023 Written By: Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW – Vice President of Technical Affairs, MAIA Convention is getting closer…November 2-5 at the Westin Boston Seaport, Boston, MA. As usual, there is a myriad of seminars and things to do! My Friday and Saturday classes are one-hour seminars based…
New Electric Vehicle Plate Prefix
September 20, 2023 A new plate prefix has been created for Electric Vehicle plates. The new plate prefix will begin with “VE” followed by one to four characters. The letters “I”, “O”, “Q”, and “U” will NOT be used. These plates will be available in RMV Service Centers and EVR locations beginning the week of September 18.…
2023 Q2 Massachusetts Quarterly P & C Marketplace Summary
You are being provided this 2023 Q2 Quarterly P&C Marketplace Summary covering the Massachusetts Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Marketplace as a benefit of your membership with the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA). Takeaways from the 2023-Q2 Summaries: • The data shows market conditions in Q2 are firming, as we read and hear about…
Disability Tax Exemption
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of July 2023. Question I hope all is well with you. I have a friend that I am trying to help out as her dad’s insurance person is not helpful with a question she has. I am hoping you can assist…
New Saturday Hours and New Road Test Locations
September 12, 2023 Beginning September 9, the following two RMV Service Centers will be open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Saturday hours are by appointment only for learner’s permit, driver’s license, and ID transactions. Fall River Leominster The following new road test locations will open the week of September 11. These new locations will…
Special Mobility Equipment
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of July 2023. Question I saw today’s question and answer. In regard to employees who use their vehicle as part of their job – my thinking was that their vehicle didn’t need to be a class 30. It is not THEIR…
MA Auto and Total Loss
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of July 2023. Question I have a MA carrier, written through MAIP, who is advising that ACV is not the same as replacement value on a totaled vehicle, with the same like, kind, and quality. I’ve never had a carrier respond…
Text Messages from IVR
August 29, 2023 Beginning today, August 25, at 5 PM, the RMV’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response) phone system will have the ability to send SMS (text) messages to customers who request one. Initially, this will only be available for two Medical Affairs transactions (new and replacement disability plates/placards), but will eventually be expanded to additional transactions,…
Registration vs. Coverage Start Date
*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of July 2023. Question I have a kind of silly question regarding registering your car and when coverage beginnings. Does coverage start when the vehicle is registered or starts on the date of purchase? For endorsement purposes, do we add a…
New Road Test Locations and Providers – REVISED
August 23, 2023 The Central Mass Safety Council (CMSC) road test locations all opened today. Also, due to driving school commitments on Saturdays, the DCR locations will only be open on Mondays on a case-by-case basis. View the revised update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].
RMV Translation Certification Requirements
August 22, 2023 The RMV will accept documents that are not in English if they are accompanied by a certified translation. Both the translation and certification must be printed on the letterhead of the certifying entity. Translations do NOT need to be notarized. Read the full update here. Also attached are the following: A new “Translation Certification…
Additional Saturday Hours
August 22, 2023 Three additional RMV Service Centers will soon be open on Saturdays from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Revere – beginning August 19 Fall River – beginning September 9 Leominster – beginning September 9 Saturday hours are by appointment only for learner’s permit, driver’s license, and ID transactions. Read the full update here.…