Boston Software Providing FREE Tool to Create, Stamp & Submit RTAs to the Registry from Home
Boston Software Providing FREE Tool to Create, Stamp & Submit RTAs to the Registry from Home With so many agencies transitioning to work-from-home arrangements, Boston Software, in partnership with the RMV and MAIA, is providing free access to its SinglePoint Forms tool and carrier eStamps to allow agents to submit copies of Registration and Title…
DOI Asks Carriers for Flexibility to Ensure Continuation of Coverage
DOI Asks Carriers for Flexibility to Ensure Continuation of Coverage The MA Division of Insurance (DOI) on March 23 issued Bulletin 2020-05 to all insurance carriers and self-insurance groups that provide coverage in Massachusetts. The Bulletin outlines the DOI’s expectations for carriers to “provide as much flexibility as is reasonably possible” with regard to collection…
Trailer Only Policies
Trailer Only Policies 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 5, 2020 QUESTION We are being told by our carrier that their new company portal will no longer support “trailer only” policies, so they are going to be non renewing the policies unless we add a…
Special Bulletin: Insurance Agents ARE Essential
Special Bulletin: Insurance Agents ARE Essential For more recent information, please read this post from 3/24/20: Yes, the Governor Deemed Insurance an Essential Business No, That Does Not Mean Your Agency Must Stay Open Governor Baker this morning (3/23/20) mandated that all non-essential businesses in MA shut down. However, MAIA has just confirmed that insurance…
Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits
Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) expiration dates have NOT been extended. However, the RMV recognizes the importance of commercial vehicle drivers to the supply chain during the State of Emergency declaration, and will continue to prioritize reducing customer volumes in physical locations. The Milford RMV…
What the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Means to Employers
What the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Means to Employers Among the provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which will take effect April 1, are two acts that apply to employers with fewer than 500 employees: Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act Emergency Family and Medical Expansion Act. [Please see updated information below] Affinity…
Rear End Collision and Glass
Rear End Collision and Glass 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 5, 2020 QUESTION Have an insured who was rearended. He filed a claim through the other carrier. They are paying for the damage to his bumper, but the collision also caused drivers side window…
RMV Extends Deadlines on Non-Commercial Vehicle Inspections
RMV Extends Deadlines on Non-Commercial Vehicle Inspections To help customers maintain proper social distancing, Massachusetts RMV is extending expiration dates on annual motor vehicle safety and emissions inspections and newly registered vehicle inspections for non-commercial vehicles as follows:
Milford & Wilmington RMVs Doing CDL Transactions Exclusively
Milford & Wilmington RMVs Doing CDL Transactions Exclusively Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) expiration dates have NOT been extended. However, the RMV recognizes the importance of commercial vehicle drivers to the supply chain during the state of emergency, so effective immediately, the Milford RMV and Wilmington RMV will exclusively perform commercial license/permit transactions.
Commercial Auto and SDIP
Commercial Auto and SDIP 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 5, 2020 QUESTION We have a client that has both a personal auto policy and a business auto policy with us. The insured backed into a snow bank and caused damage to the truck that…
Special Bulletin: COVID-19 Updates for Thursday 3/19/20
Special Bulletin: COVID-19 Updates for Thursday 3/19/20 Dear Members,While we don’t want to be like the TV news media with “Breaking News” interruptions every five minutes, we want to keep you up to date on important topics in a timely fashion. With the understanding that some of this information may actually change within five minutes,…
Are Insurance Agencies Essential Businesses? Or, “What Should My Agency Do?”
Are Insurance Agencies Essential Businesses? Or, “What Should My Agency Do?”
Stamped RTA and Coverage
Stamped RTA and Coverage 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 6, 2020 QUESTION I hope you have been well. Question for you – if we stamp an RTA, is coverage for that vehicle considered bound? Ie. If we forget to send a change request to…
MAIA Launches One-Stop COVID-19 Resource Page
MAIA Launches One-Stop COVID-19 Resource Page MAIA has you covered! We have created a one-stop MAIA webpage with Massachusetts-specific COVID-19/coronavirus-related information and links to help you serve your customers and operate your business during this extraordinary time. We will update the page frequently as we learn more!
Stay Connected to Number One – No Mailing Required!
Stay Connected to Number One – No Mailing Required! The Number One Team is working remotely, but our website and online tools will allow you to submit your and your clients’ documents directly – no mailing required!
RMV Directs Agents/Runners to Drop Off in Wilmington or Milford Only
RMV Directs Agents/Runners to Drop Off in Wilmington or Milford Only The MA RMV wants to direct all agents/runners to drop off bundles at either the Wilmington or Milford service center ONLY. Wilmington and Milford will process all B2B transactions and all IRP transactions. These branches are open only for drop off and not to…
RMV and Blank Checks
RMV and Blank Checks 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 6, 2020 QUESTION Our runner brought in a notice on the checks-dated 2/25/2020 B2B CHECK Policy & Bulk Transaction and it refer me to the cash manual chapter 1 but I can’t find the manual.…
Food Delivery & MAP Business Activity Exclusions
Food Delivery & MAP Business Activity Exclusions By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
COVID-19 Small Business Loan Fund
COVID-19 Small Business Loan Fund A loan fund of $10 million has been created to provide financial relief to Massachusetts businesses with under 50 full- and part-time employees that have been affected by COVID-19. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) will receive and process all applications for this fund.
Nominate Your Outstanding CSR of the Year
Nominate Your Outstanding CSR of the Year Each year The National Alliance presents Outstanding CSR of the Year Awards to deserving, qualified CSRs in the insurance industry. Nominees first compete on a state level. Entries and nominations are due by May 1, 2020. State winners will automatically be entered into the national competition. Finalists and the…
Free Daily Webinar: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Does Business Income Respond?
Free Daily Webinar: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Does Business Income Respond? Does ISO’s Business Income policy respond if a business shuts down because of the coronavirus? What happens if the authorities require the business to close? There is a short answer to these questions, but it’s not necessarily a simple answer.
Vanity Plate and Signage
Vanity Plate and Signage 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 6, 2020 QUESTION One of our insureds has a vanity plate- she owns a business and has a magnetic sign that she puts on her door for advertising…does she need to change to a commercial…
Gov. Baker Files Coronavirus Response Bills
Gov. Baker Files Coronavirus Response Bills MA Gov. Charlie Baker has filed a suite of legislation related to the COVID-19 crisis. Most relevant to independent agencies, S.2598 would eliminate the waiting period for unemployment benefits (currently one-week) paid to workers impacted by COVID-19.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act – H.R. 6201
Families First Coronavirus Response Act – H.R. 6201 We want to call your attention to a piece of pending legislation — Families First Coronavirus Response Act, (H.R. 6201) — which will have implications to employers of fewer than 500 employees, so it will be very relevant to most MAIA member agencies.
Webinar: “Your Agency & Telework” Wed 3/18 at 2 pm
Webinar: “Your Agency & Telework” Wed 3/18 at 2 pm Our national association, the Big “I,” is offering a free live webinar for members of its state associations, including MAIA:
No Walk-In Service at MPIUA/FAIR Plan Offices
No Walk-In Service at MPIUA/FAIR Plan Offices The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA or FAIR Plan) has taken measures to protect its employees and clientele. The majority of staff will be working remotely servicing clientele via phone, web, and fax. During this time the Association will not be servicing clientele in person. Please do…
MAIA & Number One Agency Staff Working from Home
MAIA & Number One Agency Staff Working from Home Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, and until we communicate otherwise, employees of MAIA and MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency will be working from home. We have been preparing for a work-from-home scenario, but of course there may be some unanticipated logistical glitches. Your understanding is appreciated.
RMV Service Centers CLOSED Mon-Tues 3/16 & 17
RMV Service Centers CLOSED Mon-Tues 3/16 & 17 RMV Closures
60-Day Extension on Expiring Driver’s Licenses, IDs, Learner’s Permits
60-Day Extension on Expiring Driver’s Licenses, IDs, Learner’s Permits All Massachusetts Class D and Class DM driver’s licenses, ID cards, and learner’s permits that have expired or are expiring between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020, will have a 60-day extension applied to the current expiration date. The RMV will implement this 60-day extension…
Auto Rental on Vacation
Auto Rental on Vacation 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 6, 2020 QUESTION My client is renting a vehicle for vacation in US and wants to allow a relative to drive the rental. She isn’t going to take the insurance through the dealer, so relying…
Be Sure Your Agency is “Recommended” by TrustedChoice.com
Be Sure Your Agency is “Recommended” by TrustedChoice.com We have all learned how important it is to be online in recent days. Please be sure your Member Plus agency profile at TrustedChoice.com is up-to-date and active. The Trusted Choice.com agent locator will only actively recommend agencies that have properly registered with an Advantage or Member Plus…
MAIA Suspends All LIVE Classes for 30 Days
MAIA Suspends All LIVE Classes for 30 Days MAIA continues to follow the US CDC and local government guidelines on steps we can take to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to implement the following action: Effective immediately, MAIA has suspended all “in-person”…
Named Insured on MAP
Named Insured on MAP 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 27, 2020 QUESTION I am looking for the verbage for Mass Auto that states the policy Named Insured must match the vehicle title and registration. Thanks
UBER/LYFT & Door Dash
UBER/LYFT & Door Dash 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 27, 2020 QUESTION We have a client who does Door Dash,, Uber and Lyft. Personal policy does not cover Door Dash at all, food delivery. He does not qualify for Commercial Auto. He has had…
A Message from MAIA’s President Regarding COVID-19
A Message from MAIA’s President Regarding COVID-19 Dear MAIA Members, As developments continue to unfold with COVID-19 (coronavirus), MAIA has started receiving questions regarding the status of upcoming meetings and events. While we have not altered any plans at this point, we are monitoring the situation closely. If changes or cancellations should become necessary to…
MAP vs BAP and Mopeds
MAP vs BAP and Mopeds 9is question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 1, 2020 QUESTION Hi. Thanks for your help in the past; we’re seeking some more helpfulness! Three questions: Do you have a good summary, or can you refer us to one, which describes the…
Leased Vehicle Buy Out
Leased Vehicle Buy Out This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 26, 2020 QUESTION I have a client who had a lease under his name, but has decided to purchase the vehicle for his business. I’m in the process of completing the RTA. My understanding is…
RMV Changes Timeframes for Registration Revocation
RMV Changes Timeframes for Registration Revocation The MA RMV has released a bulletin titled “Insurance Policy Management (IPM) Registration Revocation Timeframes” to alert insurance carriers and agents that the proposed implementation dates are changing for Revocation of Registration due to “No Policy” or “Expired Policy.” These additional revocation actions will be under review with the…
Coronavirus Resource Page for Agents – Bookmark It!
Coronavirus Resource Page for Agents – Bookmark It! Our national association, the Big “I,” has created a Coronavirus Resource Page to provide one-stop access the latest tools and information for members to prepare for and respond to the ongoing situation. We encourage you to bookmark the page and refer to it frequently for updated information…
Cancel a Registration Once Vehicle is Registered to Another
Cancel a Registration Once Vehicle is Registered to Another This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2020 QUESTION How do I cancel a registration for my customer when the vehicle is already registered to another person?