Cancelling Plate after Total Loss
Cancelling Plate after Total Loss QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 17, 2019 I have an insured whose vehicle was a total loss, and she has been in a rental vehicle. Plates were taken with the car and are still at salvage yard in NY.…
Listing Licensed HHMs
Listing Licensed HHMs QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 28, 2018 There is a discussion going on in our office whether it is a state law or just an insurance company requirement to have all licensed household members listed on each other’s policy. I believe…
No Fault UM/UIM
No Fault UM/UIM QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 30, 2018 If I am in a ‘no fault’ state driving a vehicle insured by a family member, and I am injured in an accident will my uninsured/underinsured respond, if they either have no coverage or…
Tech Talk: E-Bikes, Electric Scooter Rental …The New “Rage”
Tech Talk: E-Bikes, Electric Scooter Rental …The New “Rage” By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA So, I receive multiple insurance informational emails daily. Lately I’ve noticed the mention of “e-scooter rental.” Lime, Bird, Razor … all dockless scooter rental apps. Uber even has its…
Policy Effective Date
Policy Effective Date QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 30, 2018 I was told to contact you with this insurance question. We have a new client who came to us to insure a Jeep. He had the Jeep insured with GEICO. It had not been…
DOC on a BAP
DOC on a BAP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 03, 2018 Seeking clarification on Drive Other Car Coverage on the Business Auto policy. Two different situations: 1. If adding DOC to a business policy, can he be deferred on his wife’s personal policy? Or…
Notice of Non-Renewal MAP
Notice of Non-Renewal MAP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 05, 2018 We have a renewal policy in for a client for 01/23/19 and the client has 10 points and may file another claim. What is the time element the company can issue a non…
MA USDOT
MA USDOT QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 05, 2018 Hope all is well. Please see below link about some commercial vehicles now needing a DOT number. Have you heard about this? Can you shed any light on it? https://www.mass.gov/regulatory-bulletin/new-usdot-number-requirement-for-intrastate-cmvs
The Standard – MAIA’s Fyntrilakis Looks to 2019 as a Year of Bold Moves
The Standard – MAIA’s Fyntrilakis Looks to 2019 as a Year of Bold Moves In case you missed it, the January 10, 2019 issue of The Standard featured a cover story about our own President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis. It discusses legislative advocacy successes and what’s in store for 2019! (Interested in subscribing to The…
Snow Plowing
Snow Plowing QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 19, 2018 I have a customer who is trying to plow for the town of Middleboro. However, right now he has a personal auto policy that will not allow plowing. First off, can this go MAIP? My…
Travel Trailer Detached from MV
Travel Trailer Detached from MV QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 05, 2018 Insured’s travel trailer taking a trip to Florida and will stay parked and detached from the motor vehicle for 5 months in a trailer park. The trailer is listed on the MA…
Calling Cancellations + 2 More Qs
Calling Cancellations + 2 More Qs QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 3, 2018 Question regarding our calling customers. In the past we used to make to 2 calls and document AMS. Then we started to text our customers through an email application and give…
MA Homeowners Who Operate Short-Term Rentals Must Now Register, Tax & Insure their Properties
MA Homeowners Who Operate Short-Term Rentals Must Now Register, Tax & Insure their Properties On December 28, MAIA issued a Special Legislative Bulletin regarding revisions to the MA short-term rentals (“Airbnb”) bill, noting that the MA legislature had agreed to allow a tax exemption for properties rented less than two weeks per year. On December…
Temporary Auto and Coverage
Temporary Auto and Coverage QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 13, 2018 Happy Holidays! I need your brain!!! Our above insured who is a trucker who owns his cab but not his trailer rolled his truck. He has been renting a truck from a sand…
Violation Codes
Violation Codes QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 13, 2018 MAIA has received may inquiries on the ATLAS Violation Codes as they are now listed differently. We reached out to the Merit Rating Bureau for detail.
RMV Issues New Registration Form for Motorized Bicycles (Mopeds)
RMV Issues New Registration Form for Motorized Bicycles (Mopeds)
Operator Exclusion Form
Operator Exclusion Form QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 13, 2018 Kathy- Hope all is well with you. I have a customer who is 92 with the vehicle still in her name, but her license expired and she no longer drives (and she won’t be…
WC News: WCRIBMA Approves Updated Pension Tables for USRs
WC News: WCRIBMA Approves Updated Pension Tables for USRs The Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIB) released Circular Letter No. 2345, which states that the Commissioner of Insurance has approved revised pension tables to be used for Unit Statistical Reporting (USR) of fatal and permanent total claims that are evaluated on or after July…
Philbin Insurance Group Renews Five Star Agency Designation
Philbin Insurance Group Renews Five Star Agency Designation The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA), is proud to announce that Philbin Insurance Group of Beverly, Burlington, Everett, Lynnfield, and Malden, MA has renewed their Five Star Agency Designation. They have been a Five Star Agency since 2005 and continue to demonstrate excellence in the five…
Fuel Oil Dealer’s FR Requirements in MA
Fuel Oil Dealer’s FR Requirements in MA QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 10, 2018 Hi Irene, I’m happy you are still working! I figured I would end up speaking with you since you are the “go to” person in MA for insurance!!! We are…
Trailer with NO Auto
Trailer with NO Auto QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 10, 2018 I have a client (for both personal and commercial lines) that purchased a personal camper trailer. He does not have a Mass Personal Auto policy, just a Hagarty antique policy. He does have…
Claim Denial
Claim Denial QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 11, 2018 We have an insured that has this claim scenario: Vehicle pulled into their parking lot as they were having issues with their vehicle. Vehicle parked under a light pole owned by our insured. Vehicle ended…
Flood Update: NFIP is Back in Business as FEMA Reverses Decision
Flood Update: NFIP is Back in Business as FEMA Reverses Decision Believe it or not, the NFIP situation has changed AGAIN, and this time the news is good! After a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work and pressure from the insurance marketplace (largely organized by the Big “I”) and our allies in Congress, the National Flood…
Temporary Plates
Temporary Plates QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 24, 2018 I’ve got a customer who’s purchasing a car from “Carvana” – the online dealer with the “vending machine” ads. The bill of sale they provided my customer is from Georgia. They sent me a copy…
Compromise Reached on MA Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb) Legislation
Compromise Reached on MA Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb) Legislation The Massachusetts House and Senate reached a compromise on the short-term rentals bill that taxes and regulates short-term rentals through websites like Airbnb, including language that exempts owners who rent out their properties fewer than 15 days a year. Governor Baker signed the bill into law on…
Military and Expired License
Military and Expired License QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 We have an insured that is in the military and his Mass. drivers license has expired. He is driving on his active duty id. He is currently deployed overseas and won’t be able…
Flood Update: Lapse in FEMA Appropriations Causes NFIP Lapse
Flood Update: Lapse in FEMA Appropriations Causes NFIP Lapse Despite the extension the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through May 31, 2019, FEMA has unexpectedly halted appropriation funding for the program, effectively creating an NFIP lapse.
License Amendment
License Amendment QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 10, 2018 I recently got married and I wanted to know how I would go about changing my name on my P & C license, also so you know if I have to change my name on…
Flood Update: NFIP Extended Through May 2019
Flood Update: NFIP Extended Through May 2019 We are pleased to report that, despite the partial Government shutdown, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) did NOT lapse. Late in the evening of Friday, December 21, 2018, Congress passed legislation to extend the program through May 31, 2019, and the President signed the extension into law.
Coverage GAP?
Coverage GAP? QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 26, 2018 I have found a GAP with the MA auto policy and do not know how to insure my clients. I have an insured who is a police officer on a special division that responds to…
Client Moved OOS and has MA Plate
Client Moved OOS and has MA Plate QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 30, 2018 I have a client who has moved out of state. He has obtained a policy there but is still riding on the Mass plates. He wants to keep the other…
What an NFIP Lapse Will Mean to Mass. Agents
What an NFIP Lapse Will Mean to Mass. Agents As of this writing (Friday afternoon, 12/21/18), a government shutdown is still looming. If the shutdown happens, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reauthorization will lapse at midnight tonight. (Reauthorization of NFIP is tied into the funding bill). If a lapse does occur, existing NFIP flood policies…
Christmas Closure
Christmas Closure Our offices will be closed Monday, December 24th, and Tuesday, December 25th for the Christmas holiday. Our offices will re-open 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 26th.
Driver Information
Driver Information QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 17, 2018 I have an insured who’s commercial auto policy is being non-renewed with Hartford as a driver came back with a DUI on his record. Per Hartford the insured was asked for an updated drivers list,…
Surcharge Question
Surcharge Question QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 22, 2018 One of our carriers that is newer to MA auto claims handling issued a surcharge to our insured driver. The driver was deemed 50% at fault and other driver deemed 50%. There was more than…
The Impact of Driverless Cars and The Insurance Market
The Impact of Driverless Cars and The Insurance Market A world where autonomous vehicles are ‘the new normal’ may still be many years in the future, but our industry is keeping a close eye on this emerging topic. In this recent article from IA Magazine, Senior Editor Jacquelyn Connelly spoke to Michael Klein of Travelers…
E&O: Agency Producers: We Need Your Total E&O Commitment
E&O: Agency Producers: We Need Your Total E&O Commitment Utica National Insurance Group brings monthly loss control articles to MAIA members directly from the risk management team. Read the article below or download this month’s article in PDF format.
Motorcycle Coverage
Motorcycle Coverage QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 23, 2018 I’m hoping you can help me out on this one. We have an insured with a Motorcycle. She has accident and broke her wrist. Insured did not have med pay on the policy and PIP…
LLC and Trailer
LLC and Trailer QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 31, 2018 I have an insured who’s commercial auto with Progressive is in his LLC name. He has a trailer to be added to the commercial policy but it’s in his personal name. I know typically…