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?

RMV Cautions about Unofficial Sites

RMV Cautions about Unofficial Sites  

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…

New Law for Discounts?

New Law for Discounts? QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 22, 2019 Was there a new law passed in May 2019 regarding low mileage and surcharge points that allows discount?

WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Updated Information on Residual Market Share 06-19

WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Updated Information on Residual Market Share 06-19 The MA Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIBMA) released Special Bulletin 06-19, Updated Information on Residual Market Share. 

2019 RMV Plate Lottery Now Accepting Applications

2019 RMV Plate Lottery Now Accepting Applications  

What Type of Plate

What Type of Plate QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 22, 2019 Good morning, If my insured puts a sign on her car will she need  a commercial plate.   I think yes but  some of us think no since it is not on all the…

CAR Approves Modification to Rule 2’s Definition of “Eligible Risk”

CAR Approves Modification to Rule 2’s Definition of “Eligible Risk” UPDATE: Effective July 23, 2019, the changes to Rule 2– Definitions are officially approved.  Details. Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) recently released Bulletin No. 1081,  “Proposed Changes To The Rules of Operation,” explaining their revisions to Rule 2 — Definitions. The Bulletin reads in part:

RLI – More than a One Trick Pony!

RLI – More than a One Trick Pony! You may know about RLI’s Personal Umbrella coverage for your clients, but do you know about their Home Business Insurance coverage?  You have access to both through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency! RLI Home Business Insurance Just as you have worked hard to build your agency business,…

Trailer Recreational Use or Not

Trailer Recreational Use or Not QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 24, 2019 My insured has a fifth wheel that he keeps at a campground for the summer. I know under the auto policy, it states if used as residence it is not covered. It…

BAP and Trailer

BAP and Trailer QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 27, 2019 Commercial Auto client is going to pull a 6000 GVW trailer that is owned by him and his wife individually with one of his commercial vehicles. Will the commercial auto liability provide the liability…

Trailer at Campground

Trailer at Campground QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 27, 2019 Campers parked at campground is there still physical damage?

Employment Opportunities at MAIA & Number One

Employment Opportunities at MAIA & Number One The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) and its affiliate, The Number One Insurance Agency, are hiring! MAIA is seeking a Membership Engagement Director and an Education Manager, and Number One is looking for a Customer Service Representative. Our offices are conveniently located off Rte. 495 in Milford,…

Med Pay

Med Pay QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 29, 2019 I just quoted an auto for a new client and used their existing Dec as a guide. I suggested removing medical payments and explained PIP and the Mass limit of 2000 if the insured had…

What is the Correct Plate Type

What is the Correct Plate Type QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 09, 2019 If someone uses a vehicle in their business and they put signs on the vehicle do they need to get commercial plates?   I currently have it listed as class 30 on…

WCRIBMA Circular Letter: Massachusetts Indemnity Data Call

WCRIBMA Circular Letter: Massachusetts Indemnity Data Call The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Circular Letter No. 2349, dated June 14, 2019, and titled Massachusetts Indemnity Data Call. The WCRIBMA’s Governing Committee authorized the implementation of a Massachusetts Indemnity Data Call to be reported directly to the WCRIBMA. Participation in the Massachusetts Indemnity…

Accident Forgiveness

Accident Forgiveness QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 10, 2019 Accident Forgiveness…how do we know now the carrier filed with the Division of Insurance? This may sound stupid on my part but if I have a customer who has the accident forgiveness on their auto…

Motorcycle Question

Motorcycle Question QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 02, 2019 Do you know of any verbiage for Mapfre/Commerce -where I can find that there is no Annual Mileage credit on motorcycles ?

SDIP Question

SDIP Question QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 03, 2019 I was curious if you could answer a question for me.  We have a policyholder whose current policy has a 3 point surcharge on it and would be a points 98 at renewal come 03/2020. …

Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Name is not an Exact Match

Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Presence and Name is not an Exact Match If a customer applying for a REAL ID presents a document for Proof of Social Security Number (SSN) with a name that does not exactly match the name on the document presented as Proof of Lawful Presence, the SSN document can be accepted in…

Reminder: No License Renewals/Reinstatements after Two Years Without Active License

Reminder: No License Renewals/Reinstatements after Two Years Without Active License Class D & M driver’s licenses cannot be renewed or reinstated after a customer has been without an active license for two years or more for any reason.  This could be because the license expired, was suspended/revoked, or was surrendered.

Commercial Lettering on Passenger Vehicle

Commercial Lettering on Passenger Vehicle QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 03, 2019 Good afternoon Irene, Hope you are well. I was hoping you might be able to help me understand eligibility for a MAP if a vehicle has commercial lettering on it but not…

MPIUA Announces Revisions to Assessment and Valuation Program

MPIUA Announces Revisions to Assessment and Valuation Program The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA), has updated its risk assessment and valuation program to CoreLogic RCT Express version 4.5. This upgrade has been in use in the voluntary market being received with positive review. RCT Express version 4.5 contains several updates which make it both…

Binder Language for Auto

Binder Language for Auto QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 03, 2019 I am told you are a wiz in the industry and would likely provide the best answer to my question. When stamping an RMV-1 for a dealership and providing a binder, should there…

Appeal of Surcharge Points

Appeal of Surcharge Points QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 07, 2019 We have an insured who was surcharged for an accident and at the time liability was determined I questioned it as I thought 50/50 was appropriate for this situation but the adjuster did…

Claims Question on Body Shops

Claims Question on Body Shops QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 08, 2019 I have an insured who has gone third party for his physical damage claim and the carrier will not accept a direction to pay from the body shop because they are not…

Rental of a U-Haul

Rental of a U-Haul QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 09, 2019 Is there a tech talk regarding rental of U-Hauls under a MA auto policy

Registration for 26,000 lb Truck and Permits

Registration for 26,000 lb Truck and Permits QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 13, 2019 If we have a vehicle with a GVW of 26,000 lbs. and travels in more that one state can we register Commercial without having to get trip permits when it…

Proof of Residency Documents from the Same Source

Proof of Residency Documents from the Same Source To apply for a REAL ID drivers’ license or ID card, a customer must present two documents to prove Massachusetts residency.  There has been some confusion on whether these two documents can be from the same source.  This training update serves as a clarification on the RMV’s…

Summer/Winter Swap

Summer/Winter Swap QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 13, 2019 Not sure if you can help me or someone else ? I tried finding this in the Registry but couldn’t find out the answer on What situations would you use the Summer/Winter swap box on…

NFIP Extension Through Sept. 30 Awaits President’s Signature

NFIP Extension Through Sept. 30 Awaits President’s Signature On Monday, June 3, the Big “I” released the following statement by Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry & government affairs, on the Congressional reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):  “The Big ‘I’ thanks the House of Representatives for passing the…

Principal Place of Business Form

Principal Place of Business Form QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 28, 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.…

Garage Risk

Garage Risk QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 08, 2019 I have a client that has a DLN plate but most of his revenue is derived from repairs. Since he works on heavy and x-tra heavy trucks, it would go to CAR. Does the %…

Commercial Policy and Trailers

Commercial Policy and Trailers QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 11, 2019 Does a BAP automatically extend liability coverage to a trailer(14,000 GVW), not listed on the policy, that is owned by the same person? I was always told that commercial policies need to have…