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…
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…
Plate Replacement
Question Plate Replacement: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 18, 2021: If a customer needs to get a red plate to replace a green plate. Is there a fee? And what is the process? If our runner goes, do we just need a RTA and her old…
The Standard Newsmagazine Reviews the CEO Panel at MAIA’s Big Event 2021!
The Standard Newsmagazine Reviews the CEO Panel at MAIA’s Big Event 2021! The lead story in the November 12, 2021, issue of The Standard (“Pairing Principles with Profit: MAIA Carrier Execs Make Diversity a Priority”) was an excellent report about of the CEO panel discussion held at the 2021 Big Event Conference a few weeks ago! CEOs Mary…
License Status
Question License Status: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 22, 2021: When I look in the registry, the license under the current screen shows active, but it is Orange in color, when I go to the history screen the last transaction says suspended. So, I assume this…
Tiago Prado Named Massachusetts Young Agent of the Year
Tiago Prado Named Massachusetts Young Agent of the Year MAIA’s Young Agents Committee (YAC) is proud to honor Tiago Prado as the James O. Herrick Memorial Young Agent of the Year. Born in Brazil, Tiago has a deep understanding of how the landscape of the industry looks for immigrants to this country. He started the BRZ Insurance Agency from the ground…
Glass Coverage Collision or Comprehensive
Question Glass loss – Collision or Comprehensive: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 12, 2021: I hope you can clarify glass coverage for me on an auto policy. This is pertaining to a personal auto. I have an insured who backed their van into a mail box…
Snow Plowing and Snow Removal
Question Snow Plowing and Snow Removal This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 8, 2021: We are having a tough time trying to secure snow plow GL for potential client. He plows a parking lot and a few other accounts. He has contracts for all of them.…
MAIA Elects 2022 Board of Directors at Annual Meeting
MAIA Elects 2022 Board of Directors at Annual Meeting One of the highlights of MAIA’s Annual Meeting on Friday, October 29 at the Big Event was the election of the officers and directors who will serve on the Board in the coming year. “We feel very fortunate to have such a great group of people…
No RMV Transactions from 1 AM Saturday to 12 PM Sunday
No RMV Transactions from 1 AM Saturday to 12 PM Sunday The MA RMV will be migrating to a new infrastructure platform from 1:00 AM Saturday, November 13, 2021, through 12:00 PM Sunday, November 14, 2021. During this time, no web transactions, no myRMV online transactions, and no online access to the RMV system will…
Drivers Must Supply Own Vehicles for Road Tests in 2022
Drivers Must Supply Own Vehicles for Road Tests in 2022 The practice of using state-owned vehicles for road tests will end on December 31, 2021. Starting Monday, January 3, 2022, learner’s permit holders will be required to supply their own vehicle for Class D road tests. Applicants for Class M road tests will continue to…
The Art & Craft of Protecting Home-Based Business Owners
The Art & Craft of Protecting Home-Based Business Owners Craft shows are popular this time of year. Did you know that crafters are often required to have liability coverage in order to have a booth at the show? Your clients may assume their homeowner or tenant policy will cover them for liability, theft, equipment breakdown, loss of…
Meet MAIA’s New Agency Performance Consultant, Erin Schaaf
Meet MAIA’s New Agency Performance Consultant, Erin Schaaf We are pleased to announce that Erin Schaaf, CPCU, MSIM, has joined the MAIA staff as an Agency Performance Consultant. Many of you know Erin from her roles at Arbella, independent agencies, and Horace Mann, or her service as a member of MAIA’s Board of Directors. Erin…
MAIA Advocacy – State Legislative Update Nov 2021
MAIA State Legislative Update – November 2021 A key benefit of your MAIA membership is having a strong team of advocates fighting for or against legislative and regulatory bills, proposals, and changes that affect our industry and your livelihood. MAIA has built strong relationships and garnered great respect over the years, giving us authority and influence…
The Art & Craft of Protecting Home-Based Business Owners
The Art & Craft of Protecting Home-Based Business Owners Craft shows are popular this time of year. Did you know that crafters are often required to have liability coverage in order to have a booth at the show? Your clients may assume their homeowner or tenant policy will cover them for liability, theft, equipment breakdown, loss of…
No RMV Transactions from 1 AM Saturday to 12 PM Sunday
No RMV Transactions from 1 AM Saturday to 12 PM Sunday The MA RMV will be migrating to a new infrastructure platform from 1:00 AM Saturday, November 13, 2021, through 12:00 PM Sunday, November 14, 2021. During this time, no web transactions, no myRMV online transactions, and no online access to the RMV system will…
Drivers Must Supply Own Vehicles for Road Tests in 2022
Drivers Must Supply Own Vehicles for Road Tests in 2022 The practice of using state-owned vehicles for road tests will end on December 31, 2021. Starting Monday, January 3, 2022, learner’s permit holders will be required to supply their own vehicle for Class D road tests. Applicants for Class M road tests will continue to…
Hired and Non Owned Auto
Question Hired & Non-Owned Auto This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 26, 2021: Does the state listed for Symbols 8 & 9 have any bearing on coverage? I have an insured with a location in MA and a location in NY. Should both states be listed for…
New Special Plate – Registered Nurse
New Special Plate – Registered Nurse The RMV has announced a new, two-year Registered Nurse passenger special plate. All pre-ordered plates have been delivered to the RMV Quincy Headquarters. After the pre-ordered plates have been distributed, Registered Nurse plates will be centrally distributed. Customers who order them in RMV service centers will receive a temporary…
MAIA Names John F. Koegel 2021 Henry F. Barry, Jr. Pacesetter of the Year
MAIA Names John F. Koegel 2021 Henry F. Barry, Jr. Pacesetter of the Year The Pacesetter of the Year is the Massachusetts Association of Independent Agents’ most prestigious award, presented annually to a member who, through their personal and professional life, sets a pace to be followed by their fellow agents. The 2021 Pacesetter of the Year…
New Special Plate – Registered Nurse
New Special Plate – Registered Nurse The RMV has announced a new, two-year Registered Nurse passenger special plate. All pre-ordered plates have been delivered to the RMV Quincy Headquarters. After the pre-ordered plates have been distributed, Registered Nurse plates will be centrally distributed. Customers who order them in RMV service centers will receive a temporary…
Limits on Claiming 3rd party rental
Question Limits on Claiming 3rd party rental This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 21, 2021: I received an interesting email from a carrier about delays in claim repairs due to the lack of parts and overworked mechanics because of Covid, which could mean people may not be able to…
Have You Heard? MA Supreme Court Says Third-Party Claimants Should Get Inherent Diminished Value
Inherent Diminished Value (IDV) is defined as the decrease in a motor vehicle’s resale market value after a repaired collision loss. It is assumed to be the difference between the vehicle’s value immediately before a collision and its value after the collision and subsequent repairs. As reported in The Boston Globe, the Claims Journal and…