MAIA’s Five Star Agency Designation is Back and Better Than Ever
MAIA’s Five Star Agency Designation is Back and Better Than Ever It’s January, 2022! It’s a bright and shiny new year, full of promise! When you look out at the year, what are you doing to improve your agency? Is it time for your agency to commit to obtaining the exclusive Five Star Agency Designation?…
New Striped Bass Plates
New Striped Bass Plates The Striped Bass Conservation plate is a two-year passenger special plate. Proceeds from this plate will fund the Environmental Trust Fund, which provides grants for education and to preserve the Massachusetts environment. All pre-ordered plates have been delivered to the Special Plates Department at RMV Quincy Headquarters. After the pre-ordered plates…
Like 2022, We’re Just Out of the Gate and Off and Running!
Like 2022, We’re Just Out of the Gate and Off and Running! New at MAIA’s Number One: Vacant Residential & Commercial Property & Land! Increase your agency’s book of business by expanding your offering to your residential and commercial clients with Vacant coverage for property and land! What makes this program hot to trot? 13% Commission…
New Striped Bass Plates
New Striped Bass Plates The Striped Bass Conservation plate is a two-year passenger special plate. Proceeds from this plate will fund the Environmental Trust Fund, which provides grants for education and to preserve the Massachusetts environment. All pre-ordered plates have been delivered to the Special Plates Department at RMV Quincy Headquarters. After the pre-ordered plates…
RMV ATLAS and Portal System Maintenance January 22
RMV ATLAS and Portal System Maintenance January 22 This upcoming Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is installing a scheduled update to our ATLAS system. You may experience some delays in responsiveness, or receive occasional errors during communications. Please process your request(s) after 6:00 a.m. and the RMV system should…
RMV ATLAS and Portal System Maintenance January 22
RMV ATLAS and Portal System Maintenance January 22 This upcoming Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is installing a scheduled update to our ATLAS system. You may experience some delays in responsiveness, or receive occasional errors during communications. Please process your request(s) after 6:00 a.m. and the RMV system should…
Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles
Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles A number of Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles have been obtained fraudulently without having a salvage inspection completed. These vehicles require an inspection prior to registration in Massachusetts except in the following scenarios: Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles with an issue date prior to 01/01/2019 Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles presented by an individual with a valid MVU-29…
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – January 2022
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – January 2022 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Company Filing Date/Rate Impact AIB AIBM132697920 – Rate 02/01/22 New/Renew +.1% Allstate ALSE132939471 – Rate 01/24/22…
Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles
Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles A number of Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles have been obtained fraudulently without having a salvage inspection completed. These vehicles require an inspection prior to registration in Massachusetts except in the following scenarios: Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles with an issue date prior to 01/01/2019 Pennsylvania Reconstructed Titles presented by an individual with a valid MVU-29…
New FAQ and Sample Disclosure Form on Producer Health Insurance Compensation Disclosure Requirements
It’s 2022… Your Insureds Need an Extra Layer of Protection
It’s 2022… Your Insureds Need an Extra Layer of Protection Peace of mind is hard to come by these days. Where “the unheard of” has become the norm, people are looking for some measure of control over whatever might come next. Through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency, you can offer your insureds an extra layer…
It’s 2022… Your Insureds Need an Extra Layer of Protection
It’s 2022… Your Insureds Need an Extra Layer of Protection Peace of mind is hard to come by these days. Where “the unheard of” has become the norm, people are looking for some measure of control over whatever might come next. Through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency, you can offer your insureds an extra layer…
New at Number One! EVR Permit Surety Bond for Your Agency
New at Number One! EVR Permit Surety Bond for Your Agency The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) requires any MA insurance agency seeking an Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) Permit to have a surety bond in the amount of $10,000. We’ve partnered with RLI Insurance Company to offer these bonds via a quick-and-easy online platform…
Road Test Vehicles – Extension of State-Owned Vehicles
Road Test Vehicles – Extension of State-Owned Vehicles Since June 2020, state-owned vehicles have been used for Class D road tests. The use of these state-owned vehicles will continue through April 30, 2022. Beginning on May 2, 2022, all learner’s permit holders will be required to supply their own vehicle for Class D road tests.…
New at Number One! EVR Permit Surety Bond for Your Agency
New at Number One! EVR Permit Surety Bond for Your Agency The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) requires any MA insurance agency seeking an Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) Permit to have a surety bond in the amount of $10,000. We’ve partnered with RLI Insurance Company to offer these bonds via a quick-and-easy online platform…
Road Test Vehicles – Extension of State-Owned Vehicles
Road Test Vehicles – Extension of State-Owned Vehicles Since June 2020, state-owned vehicles have been used for Class D road tests. The use of these state-owned vehicles will continue through April 30, 2022. Beginning on May 2, 2022, all learner’s permit holders will be required to supply their own vehicle for Class D road tests.…
RMV Cautions Customers to be Aware of Text Phishing Scam
RMV Cautions Customers to be Aware of Text Phishing Scam The RMV is cautioning customers to be aware of a text phishing scam that has been reported here in the Commonwealth and in other states. The scam reportedly involves customers receiving text messages, claiming to be from the “DMV,” that direct them to click on a…
Redesigned Purple Heart Plates Now Available
Redesigned Purple Heart Plates Now Available Redesigned Purple Heart passenger plates are now in the RMV Distribution Center and will soon be sent to customers who order them. Purple Heart motorcycle plates have not been changed. The redesigned plates have the words “Combat Wounded” at the bottom. The old version has the word “Veteran” at…
Federal Government Agencies Warn of New Security Hole
Federal Government Agencies Warn of New Security Hole On Dec. 10, federal government agencies, including the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security announced the discovery of a vulnerability in the Log4j software library, written in the Java programming language and created by the Apache Software Foundation. This article from IA Magazine advises all Big “I” members should…
RMV Cautions Customers to be Aware of Text Phishing Scam
RMV Cautions Customers to be Aware of Text Phishing Scam The RMV is cautioning customers to be aware of a text phishing scam that has been reported here in the Commonwealth and in other states. The scam reportedly involves customers receiving text messages, claiming to be from the “DMV,” that direct them to click on a…
Redesigned Purple Heart Plates Now Available
Redesigned Purple Heart Plates Now Available Redesigned Purple Heart passenger plates are now in the RMV Distribution Center and will soon be sent to customers who order them. Purple Heart motorcycle plates have not been changed. The redesigned plates have the words “Combat Wounded” at the bottom. The old version has the word “Veteran” at…
RMV Asks Agents/Runners to “Go Local” for B2B Transactions!
RMV Asks Agents/Runners to “Go Local” for B2B Transactions! MAIA has heard from the RMV that agents/runners are still not accessing all available B2B locations. Since September, almost two dozen locations across the state can process B2B transactions. However, so many people are still going exclusively to Milford, Chicopee, or Wilmington that processing times at…
RMV Asks Agents/Runners to “Go Local” for B2B Transactions!
RMV Asks Agents/Runners to “Go Local” for B2B Transactions! MAIA has heard from the RMV that agents/runners are still not accessing all available B2B locations. Since September, almost two dozen locations across the state can process B2B transactions. However, so many people are still going exclusively to Milford, Chicopee, or Wilmington that processing times at…
Senior Driving Test?
Question Senior Driving Test? This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January, 2021: I am inquiring about driving exams for the elderly. We have an insured who is 91 that was in an accident and is experiencing blurry vision. I just received a phone call from her and her…
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – December 2021
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – December 2021 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Company Filing Date/Rate Impact Bankers Standard ACEH132859689 Rate 02/07/22 New & 02/22/22 Renew -5.8% Cincinnati Insurance…
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – December 2021
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – December 2021 MAIA periodically visits the Division of Insurance to collect the latest information about each company’s private passenger automobile insurance rules, rates, and forms filings. Recent changes and updates are presented here. Company Filing Date/Rate Impact Bankers Standard ACEH132859689 Rate 02/07/22 New & 02/22/22 Renew -5.8% Cincinnati Insurance…
Merit Rating for Out of Country Driver
Question Merit Rating for Out of Country Driver? This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 20, 2021: We have a young man who has a Colombian License from June of 2015. Any idea how to have the RMV give him some driving credit? I have all his documents. His…
New at Number One! Vacant Property & Land Coverage
New at Number One! Vacant Property & Land Coverage A vacant storefront awaiting a new tenant? An empty house up for sale? When buildings are unoccupied, even temporarily, they are still susceptible to physical loss and damage. And then there’s vacant land. If someone hurts themselves while “trespassing” on that land, guess who gets…
IMPORTANT NEWS! CIC & CISR Exams Are Online-Only as of 1/1/22
IMPORTANT NEWS! CIC & CISR Exams Are Online-Only as of 1/1/22 The National Alliance has announced that, starting January 1, 2022, all CIC and CISR exams will be online, even for in-person classes. Participants will access the online exams and submit proctor requests through their National Alliance PROfile page. Exam Windows CIC exams will be accessible…
New at Number One! Vacant Property & Land Coverage
New at Number One! Vacant Property & Land Coverage A vacant storefront awaiting a new tenant? An empty house up for sale? When buildings are unoccupied, even temporarily, they are still susceptible to physical loss and damage. And then there’s vacant land. If someone hurts themselves while “trespassing” on that land, guess who gets…
B2B Update: New Locations, New Schedule!
B2B Update: New Locations, New Schedule! It’s been a bumpy ride lately for agents and runners, but MAIA continues to advocate for our members, and the RMV is working hard to make things more flexible and convenient. Instead of just 6 B2B locations, 22 RMV locations across the state can now process B2B transactions. However,…
B2B Update: New Locations, New Schedule!
B2B Update: New Locations, New Schedule! It’s been a bumpy ride lately for agents and runners, but MAIA continues to advocate for our members, and the RMV is working hard to make things more flexible and convenient. Instead of just 6 B2B locations, 22 RMV locations across the state can now process B2B transactions. However,…
CDL Medical Certificates Extension Update
CDL Medical Certificates Extension The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). Certificates that expire between September 1, 2021 and February 27, 2022 will expire on February 28, 2022. The RMV has updated customer records in ATLAS. Affected customers will receive an email informing…
It’s Back! Five Star Program for the Best of the Best MA Agencies!
It’s Back! Five Star Program for the Best of the Best MA Agencies! MAIA’s elite Five Star Agency program was sidelined during COVID, but we’re back in business with fresh new content and enhanced benefits for members! Earning the Five Star Agency designation tells your customers, partners, employees, and community that you are “crushing it”…
CDL Medical Certificates Extension Update
CDL Medical Certificates Extension The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). Certificates that expire between September 1, 2021 and February 27, 2022 will expire on February 28, 2022. The RMV has updated customer records in ATLAS. Affected customers will receive an email informing…
Premium-Saving TIPs to Help Your Liquor Liability Clients
Premium-Saving TIPs to Help Your Liquor Liability Clients Having staff, bartenders, and servers complete an alcohol-awareness program such as Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPs) is one way your alcohol-selling clients can save money on Liquor Liability premiums. There are several other ways they can qualify for discounts, too! When you’re writing an application for a…
Premium-Saving TIPs to Help Your Liquor Liability Clients
Premium-Saving TIPs to Help Your Liquor Liability Clients Having staff, bartenders, and servers complete an alcohol-awareness program such as Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPs) is one way your alcohol-selling clients can save money on Liquor Liability premiums. There are several other ways they can qualify for discounts, too! When you’re writing an application for a…
Tech Talk: Insuring a Home That is in Trust
Tech Talk: Insuring a Home That is in Trust Irene L. Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, MLIS, CPIW VP Technical Affairs, MAIA Well, we’ve almost made it through another year … Hoorah! It was great seeing many of you at our annual convention – hope to see even more of you next year.…
Limited Time Special! Higher Commission Rates for New WC Business
Limited Time Special! Higher Commission Rates for New WC Business Don’t forget! Through January 31st, 2022, member agencies earn higher-than-normal commission rates on new Workers’ Comp business written through MAIA’s Number One Agency. How much higher? Depending on the carrier, anywhere from 2% to 7.5% greater than our current rates! With NO volume commitments, GREAT…