Help Home Businesses Weather the Storm
Help Home Businesses Weather the Storm We’ve all seen the severe weather events occurring around the country — inland floods, mudslides, windstorms, fires. These events are becoming more frequent and severe. Unfortunately, many home-based businessowners are finding out the hard way that they aren’t covered for business losses. That’s where you come in.
McSweeney & Ricci Insurance Agency Became “Frosty Friends” At a Local School Last Holiday Season
McSweeney & Ricci Insurance Agency Became “Frosty Friends” At a Local School Last Holiday Season Last Christmas was a special time of year for the folks over at McSweeney & Ricci Insurance Agency, as they were granted the opportunity to make a few kids’ wishes come true.
Out-of-State Dealers
Out-of-State Dealers QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 08, 2019 I work at a CT agency and we write in MA and run into the issue where an insured is getting a vehicle from a non-drive dealership. I wanted to confirm if they e-mail or…
Expanded Salvage Title Processing Locations
Expanded Salvage Title Processing Locations If an owner or insurance company wants to keep a vehicle that has been declared a total loss, it’s necessary to obtain a salvage title. Beginning April 22, salvage title applications will be processed in an expanded number of RMV Service Centers. In addition to Quincy RMV Headquarters and the…
“Non-Domicile” CDLs
“Non-Domicile” CDLs “Non-Domicile” customers are residents of foreign countries who have temporary lawful presence in the United States. Beginning April 25th, “Non-Domicile” Massachusetts Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) can be issued to customers with temporary lawful presence from most foreign countries (except for Canada or Mexico). “Non-Domicile” customers will need to meet the same identification…
Young Agents to Host Clinics & Cocktails at Granite Links on May 22nd
Young Agents to Host Clinics & Cocktails at Granite Links on May 22nd
CAR Garage Policy Form
CAR Garage Policy Form 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…
CAR Implements New Web-Based Cession System
CAR Implements New Web-Based Cession System Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) has released Bulletin 1079, dated April 18, 2019, announcing the implementation of a new cession application for adding, correcting, and reviewing cession records. The new, secure, web-based application functions similarly to CAR’s previous mainframe application, but adds several convenient capabilities for users. It will be…
New CAR Rules
New CAR Rules QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 08, 2019 This week two agents under me received declinations for quotes on C.A.R. policies. One was for a business based in Natick but the principals split time between Rhode Island and Florida. I was under…
Tech Talk: Covered or Not? Delivery-for-Hire and the MAP — Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Amazon Flex, etc.
Tech Talk: Covered or Not? Delivery-for-Hire and the MAP — Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Amazon Flex, etc. By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA
Travel Trailer
Travel Trailer QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 08, 2019 I saw the question of the day on March 22 about travel trailers and I have a question. I have an insured that has a 5th wheel that is kept at a campground in Salisbury…
PIP and OBI
PIP and OBI QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 08, 2019 Passengers are covered under PIP and then optional bodily injury on an auto policy, correct?
ATLAS Focus Group April 2019 Update
ATLAS Focus Group April 2019 Update Big changes are afoot at the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles. In November 2019, Release 2 of the ATLAS system will go live, and new Registration and Title form will be replacing the current RMV-1 and RMV-3. And you’ll be glad to know that agents’ interests are being well…
Answers to Retirement Questions Are Yours for the Asking
Answers to Retirement Questions Are Yours for the Asking It’s April 17th. Maybe you didn’t check “Run the Marathon” off your bucket list this year. Maybe you left your taxes until the last minute (i.e., TODAY). That’s OK! You can feel better about your long-term goals by taking advantage of a free Retirement Plan consultation…
3rd. Party Rental
3rd. Party Rental QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 28, 2019 In regards to third party rental, when the insured was not at fault in the accident and needs to rent a car when was it permitted that the other person’s insurance company is allowed…
Out-of-State Violation Reporting
Out-of-State Violation Reporting QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 29, 2019 We have a client who got into an accident while driving a friend’s car in California…will this be reported to Massachusetts for her driving record? What states are reciprocal to MA?
Surviving Spouse Process
Surviving Spouse Process QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 29, 2019 Just a quick question. I have an insured coming in to pick up this form. His brother’s wife passed away. His brother is giving a vehicle which was in his late wife’s name to…
Plate v. Policy Question
Plate v. Policy Question QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 29, 2019 I have a quote that came across my desk with the following: Registered in Personal name as sole proprietor under DL# Used for tree work – moving tools/equipment to sites for tree…
Carrier Refusal and/or Delay to Cancel Policy 2A
Carrier Refusal and/or Delay to Cancel Policy 2A QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 29, 2019 We’ve been having difficulty at times getting a particular Carrier to cancel a Policy or removing a vehicle on a Policy per 2A-Transfer of Insurance form being provided to them (via…
Protect Your Clients and their Warm-Weather Toys
Protect Your Clients and their Warm-Weather Toys Before your clients start revving up the engines on their motorcycles, boats, jet skis, RVs, and classic cars, make sure they and their belongings are protected with a “toy” policy through Number One.
WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Residual Market Loss Ratio & Burden Estimate — April 2019
WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Residual Market Loss Ratio & Burden Estimate — April 2019 The MA Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIBMA) released Special Bulletin 04-19, Residual Market Loss Ratio and Burden Estimate. Residual Market Burden is a measure of the pool-related cost that pool members incur when writing assessable voluntary business.
MAIA & Big “I” Tools Will Help You Find Top Talent
MAIA & Big “I” Tools Will Help You Find Top Talent “Finding and keeping qualified staff is the top challenge for many independent agencies, and we’ve pulled together a powerful arsenal of tools and technology to help our members fight this battle on all fronts,” says Nick Fyntrilakis, MAIA’s President and CEO. Big “I” Hires…
WCRIBMA Circular Letter: Establishment of an Audit Noncompliance Charge
WCRIBMA Circular Letter: Establishment of an Audit Noncompliance Charge The MA Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIBMA) has issued Circular Letter No. 2348, Establishment of an Audit Noncompliance Charge, dated April 4, 2019, and titled. The letter explains a pilot program that would enable WC insurance carriers, under certain conditions, to apply a noncompliance charge…
CAR Bulletin: DOI Disapproves Proposed Amendment to Rule 29: Assignment Process
CAR Bulletin: DOI Disapproves Proposed Amendment to Rule 29: Assignment Process Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) Bulletin 1078, dated April 4, 2019, reports the Division of Insurance (DOI) decision to disapprove a proposed amendment to Rule 29 of the Rules of Operation that would have changed the credit factors for carriers writing voluntary business instead of placing them…
Hired Auto Physical Damage
Hired Auto Physical Damage QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 27, 2019 Hi I have a question regarding an insured who had a rented car. They did not purchase the physical Damage coverage from rental company, and do not have coverage under their commercial auto…
Non Owned Auto Policy
Non Owned Auto Policy QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 28, 2019 Can you suggest where I might be able to obtain a quotation for Drive Other Car / Non-Owned Auto policy for an individual, who does not own a personal auto but may borrow…
Garaging Change
Garaging Change QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 12, 2019 We have a client who recently bought a new car, the car should have been garaged on Martha’s Vineyard. The dealership accidentally registered the car with garaging in Brookline. We have in our notes that…
USDOT Number
USDOT Number QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 13, 2019 Regarding the new U.S. DOT number assignment for intrastate carriers – the regulation says every motor vehicle engage in intrastate “commerce”. Are contractors such as landscapers, plumbers, etc considered to be engaged in “commerce”? Thank…
Plate Type
Plate Type QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 13, 2019 I have a client that has a personal policy rated class 30 as she is a massage therapist and occasionally goes to someones home. She does put magnetic signs on her car occasionally, is she…
Important NFIP Changes
Important NFIP Changes In Bulletin W-19002, FEMA announced changes to Cancellation Reason Code 26 of the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual (FIM). The new language states that a policyholder canceling their NFIP policy in favor of a private flood policy is eligible for a full premium refund without FEMA approval only if:
Partners Insurance Group Renews Five Star Agency Designation
Partners Insurance Group Renews Five Star Agency Designation The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) is proud to announce that Partners Insurance Group of Fairhaven, Fall River (2), New Bedford, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, and Tiverton, RI, has renewed their Five Star Agency Designation. They have been a Five Star Agency since 2015 and continue to…
Spring Your Clients from the WC Pool with Voluntary Market Coverage
Spring Your Clients from the WC Pool with Voluntary Market Coverage Spring is here and outdoor activity is revving up! Do your clients a favor and place their Workers’ Comp coverage in the voluntary market. Just some of the risks that Number One Insurance Agency may be able to assist you with:
Can a REAL ID be switched to Standard ID
Can a REAL ID be switched to Standard ID QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 13, 2019 I have a customer who recently obtained a real ID and the RMV issued it with her given middle name to follow her birth certificate. After this woman…
Summary of Changes in the New MA Driver’s Manual
Summary of Changes in the New MA Driver’s Manual The English version of the new (03/2019) MA Driver’s Manual is now in the RMV warehouse and will soon be distributed to all RMV Service Centers, and will also be available on the RMV website (www.mass.gov/rmv). The new version has a purple cover and features an…
M-0051-S Use of Other Autos
M-0051-S Use of Other Autos QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 07, 2019 I’m hoping to get some information on MA Endorsement M-0051-S-Use of Other Autos-Vehicles Furnished or Available For Regular Use Curious who should be buying this endorsement? Also, would it be required if…
CAR Bulletin: DOI Approves Amendment to Rule 14: ERP Requirements
CAR Bulletin: DOI Approves Amendment to Rule 14: ERP Requirements Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) Bulletin 1077, dated March 29, 2019, reports the Division of Insurance (DOI) decision to approve changes to Rules of Operation Rule 14 – Exclusive Representative Producer Requirements.
CAR Bulletin: DOI Disapproves Proposed Amendment to Rule 2: Definition of Eligible Risk
CAR Bulletin: DOI Disapproves Proposed Amendment to Rule 2: Definition of Eligible Risk Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) Bulletin 1076, dated March 29, 2019, reports the Division of Insurance (DOI) decision to disapprove a proposed amendment to Rule 2 of the Rules of Operation which sought to modify the definition of “Eligible Risk.”
License Issue and MAP
License Issue and MAP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 07, 2019 I just had an interesting scenario here in the agency. Someone came in currently working with an African refugee who has purchased a used vehicle. The Refugee has been permitted only for 1…
Co-Lessee on Vehicle RMV-1
Co-Lessee on Vehicle RMV-1 QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 12, 2019 I called the dealer this morning for some clarification as my client is trying to tell me Linda is “only on the loan”. When I called the dealer to see if she is…