WC News: WCRIB Special Bulletins Residual Market Loss Ratio and Burden Estimate — October Update

WC News: WCRIB Special Bulletins Residual Market Loss Ratio and Burden Estimate — October Update  

2A or Dec Page

2A or Dec Page QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 27, 2018 Could you please tell me if Progressive and GEICO are allowed to provide dec pages in lieu of 2As and LPRs?

Certificate of Insurance

Certificate of Insurance QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 5, 2018 There is a state statute that talks about a cert of ins can only represent the policies listed. The cert cannot add or take away from a policy. I cannot find it in my…

Meet a Young Agent – Scott Ellis

Meet a Young Agent – Scott Ellis 2018 is more than half over but we still have a lot of work to do! I joined the Young Agents Committee in 2017 shortly after starting at Bright Insurance in Milford, MA as the Operations Manager. Being on the committee has allowed me to meet and get…

Collision or Comprehensive

Collision or Comprehensive QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 9, 2018  If a person is driving a car and the wheel falls off and the car is damaged from hitting the road, is that a collision or comprehensive claim?

Tech Talk: MA Operator Exclusion Endorsement M-0106-S Revisited

Tech Talk: MA Operator Exclusion Endorsement M-0106-S Revisited By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW  – VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA  

WC Cancellation

WC Cancellation QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 12, 2018 Kathy Cormier to Irene Morrill and Dan Foley:  I received a call from a member stating that she has two clients that are being cancelled by the WCRIB and the reason for the cancellation in…

NEW Massachusetts License and ID Issuance Number Format Changes Effective 11/13/2018

NEW Massachusetts License and ID Issuance Number Format Changes Effective 11/13/2018

NEW USDOT Requirements

NEW USDOT Requirements   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 12, 2018 A client brought to my attention new rules regarding DOT requirements.  Is this true that trucks with a 10K GVW or greater are now required to obtain a USDOT number, letter the truck…

MAIP Auto

MAIP Auto   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 15, 2018 I had a quick question that I was hoping you could shed some light on – We received several cancel requests from Liberty Mutual on various property policies for a client of ours, along…

LPRs

LPRs   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 16, 2018 I had a quick question that I was hoping you could shed some light on – We received several cancel requests from Liberty Mutual on various property policies for a client of ours, along with…

Delivery

Delivery   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 17, 2018 I have a customer who we write a personal lines policy.  They have a Chevy Trail Blazer that they want to use to deliver flowers with as they own a flower shop.  Do they need…

Make Your InsurPac Contribution Before 12/31/18

Make Your InsurPac Contribution Before 12/31/18   InsurPac is the non-partisan federal political action committee (PAC) that complements the legislative efforts of our national association, the Big “I.” InsurPac is one of the most effective and well-respected small-business PACs in the country. “We’re very fortunate to have this powerhouse representing us on Capitol Hill,” says…

SDIP Motorcycle

SDIP Motorcycle   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 17, 2018 Under a motorcycle policy, if you make a claim for only medical payments, under optional medical payments because PIP does not apply, no bodily injury claim, no property damage claim, would a surcharge apply?

Binder Language

Binder Language   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 17, 2018 Good afternoon Irene, I’d like to see if I can get some clarification regarding agent binding and how the RMV-1 form comes into play. Essentially I’m looking  to know if agency best practices for…

Roof Line

Roof Line   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 19, 2018 Good morning I am trying to find roof line definitions (ie pitched – high or low; flat etc). Would you be able to direct me to the web site where this information can be…

Registry News: Magnetic Signs Are Acceptable on Commercial Vehicles

Registry News: Magnetic Signs Are Acceptable on Commercial Vehicles

Registry News: New Danvers RMV Service Center Opens 10/29/18

Registry News: New Danvers RMV Service Center Opens 10/29/18

Transfer and Effective Date

Transfer and Effective Date   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 18, 2018 Irene- We were having a discussion in our office regarding a car transfer.  If a customer trades in say a 2005 Ford for a 2018 Ford and is supposed to pick up…

Driving Records for Non-Driving Staff

Driving Records for Non-Driving Staff   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 16, 2018 I have an insured who’s commercial auto policy is being non-renewed as a driver came back with a DUI on his record.  Per the carrier the insured was asked for an…

USDOT#

USDOT#   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 30, 2018 No hurry in a response but just a question I am not certain how to answer. I have an insured who has a 2012 Dodge Ram on his PP policy.  The weight is 12,300 or…

Registry News: Revised Law Affects Foreign Driver’s Licenses in MA

Registry News: Revised Law Affects Foreign Driver’s Licenses in MA As of July 2018, licensed drivers from any foreign country may operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts, as long as they meet the requirements.  

Waiver of Deductible

Waiver of Deductible   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2018 On a Mass Auto policy can you add the waiver of collision deductible to motorcycles and trailers that carry Collision coverage?

Stamping Trailer Registrations

Stamping Trailer Registrations   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 25, 2018 Technical question here. We have client who wants his trailer reg stamped.  Trailer owned in name of two individuals. (not related) We advised him we could not stamp with the two names per…

Comprehensive Only

Comprehensive Only   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 25, 2018 Irene-had a coworker tell me something that absolutely floored me.  I have almost 50 years of experience and there were things I thought I was sure of. Not so much now…. To your knowledge,…

New WC Coverage Payroll Limits for Individuals, Partnerships, LLCs, and Officers

New WC Coverage Payroll Limits for Individuals, Partnerships, LLCs, and Officers As they do every year, the Workers’ Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (WCRIBMA) has updated the payroll determinations used as the basis for WC insurance premiums for individuals, partnerships, and LLCs, as well as the minimum and maximum payroll limitations for executive officers…

Merit Rating on a Boat

Merit Rating on a Boat   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 I have a situation where up until last Policy year she was a 99. I guess she was in a kayak and the kayak sank and she was not wearing a…

Registry News: New October Passenger Plate Mask

Registry News: New October Passenger Plate Mask Effective November 2018, a new plate mask will be used for October passenger plates. The new plate mask will consist of two numbers, followed by one letter, followed by three numbers.  The last number will be 0 (zero).  The letters I, O, Q, and U will NOT be used. …

How to Play Insurmania Live! (Official Instructions)

How to Play Insurmania Live! (Official Instructions) We’re Looking For Insurmania Contestants. Insurmania is the live trivia game show we’re playing during The Big Event at The Safety Zone’s Game Night Reception. Join our host, Young Agent Co-Chair, Paul Ostrander for this one of a kind competition. The winning team will walk away with a…

When are CON Plates Pro-Rated

When are CON Plates Pro-Rated   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 2, 2018 I hope you can answer this question for us.  When does the RMV start pro-rating their plates for Commercial Trucks? Thanks.

RMV: New Guidelines for Fleet Registration Renewals

RMV: New Guidelines for Fleet Registration Renewals The end of the year is peak season for registration renewals, and the Mass. Registry has released important new guidelines to help ensure that your Fleet Renewal transactions will be processed on time. The guidelines include detailed submission procedures, mailing and drop-off times, and reminders for making sure…

Berry Insurance Serves Up Smiles With Kindness Rocks

Berry Insurance Serves Up Smiles With Kindness Rocks In an effort to help spread compassion and positivity throughout the Franklin community, Berry Insurance took to cultivating their own special kind-of garden.

Date to Add Vehicle to Policy

Date to Add Vehicle to Policy   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 3, 2018 What is the correct way to add a vehicle to a policy:  effective on the date that the RMV1 is stamped & coverage is bound or the date the vehicle…

Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency Renews Five Star Agency Designation

Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency Renews Five Star Agency Designation The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) is proud to announce that Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency, Inc. of Beverly, MA, has renewed their Five Star Agency Designation. They have been a Five Star Agency since 2003 and continue to demonstrate excellence in the five imperatives…

MVU-26 Family Exemption Tax Form

MVU-26 Family Exemption Tax Form   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 We have a client who was gifted an auto from his stepfather. He would like to use the Family Transfer form. We have told him that we are not sure step…

Business Name Change

Business Name Change   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 1, 2018 We have a client it is a business account, and they are going to change the name and have already applied for a new FiD #and they do have it.  Is there a…

Out-of-State Title

Out-of-State Title   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 1, 2018 If an Insured moves from Texas to Massachusetts, I know they would need a new plate, but would they also need a new title if they own the car? Thanks!

E&O: Accountability: A Missing Piece in Many Agencies

E&O: Accountability: A Missing Piece in Many Agencies 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.   

Lien holder and Binders

Lien holder and Binders   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 1, 2018 We have had a couple of situations with local Credit Unions that our client’s are seeking an auto loan and the Credit Union is requiring not only a Binder but also all…

Dual-Rear-Wheel Pickup Trucks May Not Need Commercial Plates

Dual-Rear-Wheel Pickup Trucks May Not Need Commercial Plates A change in the law has eliminated the requirement that all vehicles with five or more wheels on the ground have commercial plates. This is good news for the customer who owns a pickup truck with dual rear wheels strictly for personal use — they can now get passenger plates…