Time Frame to Add Drivers

Time Frame to Add Drivers   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 27, 2018 Is there a time frame for adding a newly licensed operator to a MA Ins policy? It used to be like 30 days or something like that… Thank you for your…

Diminished Value

Diminished Value   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 27, 2018 Not sure if you are my go to or not. Have a client arguing that he wants to be compensated for diminished value to his vehicle due to an accident. Can you tell me…

Session Highlight: Business Perpetuation Planning

Session Highlight: Business Perpetuation Planning  

HMIC Revises Liquor Liability Renewal Application

HMIC Revises Liquor Liability Renewal Application  

BAP and Trailer

BAP and Trailer   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 One of our insureds just formed a new corporation, they bought a trailer in that corporate name. There are not and will not be any power units registered under this corporate name anytime…

Commercial Vehicle Markings

Commercial Vehicle Markings   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 We’re in the process of taking on a new account for an oil recovery business, he just called me and told me there’s a filing for MA that needs to be done by…

Reminder: Proof of Residency Documents

Reminder: Proof of Residency Documents A reminder that the address printed on a document presented for proof of residency must always match the customer’s current address which will be printed on the issued credential.

REAL ID Update: Documents Not Acceptable for REAL ID

REAL ID Update: Documents Not Acceptable for REAL ID The Department of Homeland Security has advised that the Re-Entry Permit (I-327) and Refugee Travel Document (I-571) are NOT acceptable for the issuance of a REAL ID:

Changes to Surplus Lines Tax Collection

Changes to Surplus Lines Tax Collection Recent Bill Changes Collection of Surplus Lines Tax in MA

Commercial Auto “What if”

Commercial Auto “What if”   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 30, 2018 Can you please assist with the following questions? I have a customer who asks a lot of what ifs. Is there coverage under the commercial auto policy that would cover if an…

FBInsure Renews Five Star Agency Designation!

FBInsure Renews Five Star Agency Designation! The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA), is proud to announce that FBinsure of Attleboro, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fall River, Freetown, Middleboro, New Bedford, Rehoboth, and Taunton, MA has renewed their Five Star Agency Designation.  They have been a Five Star Agency since 2006 and continue to demonstrate excellence in…

Personal or Commercial – Delivery

Personal or Commercial – Delivery   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 30, 2018 I have a customer w/ a van registered to her personally. She uses it to deliver carpet. Personal auto underwriters don’t want it and according to AIB Rule 51C it doesn’t…

Arbella’s Gourmet Luncheon

Arbella’s Gourmet Luncheon  

Car Fire Coverage Question

Car Fire Coverage Question   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 11, 2018 We are having a discussion in our office about the following situation. If an insured has a friend’s car in their garage and it catches on fire and damages the car and…

US DOT Number

US DOT Number   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 13, 2018 Question for you. With the new DOT rules we were told today that if an individual purchases a pickup truck, in this particular case a Dodge Ram 2500, and the vehicle weighs over…

Tech Talk: Bailment and Physical Damage Coverage Under the Auto Policy

Tech Talk: Bailment and Physical Damage Coverage Under the Auto Policy By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW  – VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA  

Registry News: Service Center Relocation

Registry News: Service Center Relocation

Out-of-State Vehicle Purchase

Out-of-State Vehicle Purchase   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 17, 2018 I have a Massachusetts insured who is looking to transfer plates to a used vehicle he is purchasing from a private party in New Hampshire.  There is no title. Would the insured be…

Binding Authority Commercial Auto

Binding Authority Commercial Auto   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 17, 2018 I hope all is well with you! We are hope, hope, hoping you can help us with a binding/coverage question we have on a commercial auto policy here in Mass. It appears…

Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions

Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions MAIA wanted to take a moment to recognize and acknowledge those people affected by the gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on September 13th, especially those who live and work in the Merrimack Valley.  We know that many of our members and carrier partners have been working hard to assist…

Camper or Trailer Plate

Camper or Trailer Plate   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 17, 2018 I tried calling the Registry, sent them an email  today.  On 8/27/18:  our runner went down to the registry with the transfer information, RMV-1 , all documents in hand,  the person @…

RMV: ATLAS Release 2 Coming Soon

RMV: ATLAS Release 2 Coming Soon The following communication was released this morning by the RMV to business partners concerning the the upcoming Release 2 of ATLAS.

WC News: WCRIB Implements Test Audit Program

WC News: WCRIB Implements Test Audit Program  The WCRIBMA’s Governing Committee has approved implementation of a Test Audit Program to be rolled out in January 2019. Circular Letter No. 2337 outlines the program in greater detail.

Commercial Auto – Unregistered Vehicle

Commercial Auto – Unregistered Vehicle   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 19, 2018 Commercial Auto – is there a reduction or exclusion of coverage if a vehicle is unregistered (registration expired)? I don’t think there is, I can’t find any reference in the policy…

Florida/Massachusetts

Florida/Massachusetts   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 23, 2018

Take Advantage of Big “I” Trusted Choice Tools & Services

Take Advantage of Big “I” Trusted Choice Tools & Services Trusted Choice is the national brand strategy for independent insurance agents – designed to amplify the marketing and highlight the value that independent insurance agents bring to consumers. 

Coverage Date/Stamp Date

Coverage Date/Stamp Date   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 26, 2018

Registry-Focused Round-up at The Big Event 2018

Registry-Focused Round-up at The Big Event 2018 The Big Event 2018 has a number of registry and auto-focused sessions based on our members most frequently asked questions taking place on Saturday, October 27th. MAIA is happy to have the RMV team, including Registrar Deveney, along with MAIA’s in-house expert, Kathy Cormier on the speaking roster.…

RMV: eServices Claims History Walk Through

RMV: eServices Claims History Walk Through There has been some confusion with respect to the viewing of claims in the eServices Portal, mainly with claims which have been reversed by the Board of Appeals.  Due to the confusion, the Merit Rating Bureau has sent the attached document which walks agents through the process.

RMV: New Special Plate – Habitat and Heritage

RMV: New Special Plate – Habitat and Heritage The Habitat and Heritage plate is a new two-year passenger special (PAS) plate. 

Claim Issue

Claim Issue   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 30, 2018

WAHVE – The Case for Unretirement

WAHVE – The Case for Unretirement Since 2000, the number of people aged 65 and over who continue to remain employed has increased steadily. A large number of these professionals have gone through what economists call “unretirement,” the term for taking the employment U-turn from retired to back to work. For instance, a 2017 survey…

Gaudette Insurance Agency Gives Back with New England Pride

Gaudette Insurance Agency Gives Back with New England Pride The New England Patriots may not have won Super Bowl LII, but thanks to the Gaudette Insurance Agency, Inc., Northbridge Food Pantry still scored a notable touchdown! During this past football season’s playoffs, the Gaudette Insurance staff were given the option to represent their New England…

Different Limits of Coverage Same Policy

Different Limits of Coverage Same Policy   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 30, 2018

Listing HHMs

Listing HHMs   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 02, 2018

Turning Away Clients

Turning Away Clients   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 06, 2018

E&O: Documentation!

E&O: Documentation! 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.   

Symbol 1

Symbol 1   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 02, 2018

Temporary Plates

Temporary Plates   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 06, 2018

CAR & MAIP Question

CAR & MAIP Question   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 06, 2018