Plate Cancellation Confirmation and Plate Cancellation Process
Plate Cancellation Confirmation and Plate Cancellation Process Great news! Agents can now print out a Plate Cancellation Receipt when you cancel a registration as a courtesy for your clients! CLICK HERE link to view a downloadable sample of the updated plate cancellation confirmation message, and screenshots to walk you through the process of printing the…
Book of Business in the WC Pool? Let’s See if We Can Move it Out
Book of Business in the WC Pool? Let’s See if We Can Move it Out MAIA’s Number One Agency works with multiple carriers in the WC market. If you have a book of business in the WC pool, let us review it with you to make sure that’s where they belong!
New Registration Requirement for Heavy Vehicles – Proof of HVUT Payment
New Registration Requirement for Heavy Vehicles – Proof of HVUT Payment Effective immediately, the MA RMV requires proof of payment of the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax payment (IRS Form 2290/Schedule 1) to register motor vehicles with a taxable gross rate of 55,000 pounds or more. Form 2290 is now required for initial vehicle registrations…
New MAIA Course Locations, Venues & Times for 2020!
New MAIA Course Locations, Venues & Times for 2020! Greetings from MAIA’s Education Team! Based on member requests, we made some improvements this year! We’ve brought back some popular locations; changed hotels or added new ones to our venue list; and added afternoon timeslots for some classes that used to be mornings-only! So PLEASE, when…
MOD Factor MAP
MOD Factor MAP This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 8, 2020 QUESTION Have you heard of any carriers in MA that are applying a mod factor to a MA Auto policy to charge more premium for a client that filed a not at fault accident? …
MA Arbitration
MA Arbitration This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 9, 2020 QUESTION I have a customer who is thinking about going to arbitration for a totaled car. I’ve never had a customer go through this. Could you explain the process? Thanks
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2359
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2359 The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Circular Letter No. 2359, dated January 10, 2020, and titled Manage Ownership Web-Based Tool.
Free Poster for Your Clients Who Sell Alcohol
Free Poster for Your Clients Who Sell Alcohol Cheers to YOU and the New Year!
Driving Records for a Fleet of Employees
Driving Records for a Fleet of Employees This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 2, 2020 QUESTION I have an agent that needs to get driving records for a fleet account with up to 45 employees. I suggested that they use the DVS Program and was…
Vehicle Appraisal Process
Vehicle Appraisal Process QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 2, 2020 In MA, does an insurance company need to have vehicle damage reviewed by a licensed appraiser on their end, or can they work with a body shop that does the appraisal, then negotiate the…
Automatic Voter Registration
Automatic Voter Registration Effective January 1, 2020, the Automatic Voter Registration process was implemented as part of the Permit, License, or ID transaction for new applications and renewals. Under the requirements of a new state law, the RMV will provide basic information from all license transactions to the Secretary of State’s office for voter registration…
Identification Requirements For Motor Vehicle Or Trailer Registration
Identification Requirements For Motor Vehicle Or Trailer Registration In order to register a motor vehicle or trailer in Massachusetts, you must prove your identity by providing specific documents to the RMV: READ MORE.
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2357
WCRIBMA’s Circular Letter No. 2357 The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Circular Letter No. 2357, dated December 20, 2019, and titled Rate Filing, Pending Premium Change Endorsement. To access this Circular Letter, please use the following link:
WCRIBMA’s Special Bulletin No. 12-19
WCRIBMA’s Special Bulletin No. 12-19 The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau has issued Special Bulletin No. 12-19, dated December 20, 2019, and titled Updated Information on Residual Market Share. To access this Special Bulletin, please use the following link:
New IRP Application and 2290 Requirement
New IRP Application and 2290 Requirement QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 6, 2020
Year-End Brings 3 More Federal Wins for Independent Agents!
Year-End Brings 3 More Federal Wins for Independent Agents! 2019 was a banner legislative year for independent agents, largely thanks to the federal advocacy team of our national association, the Big “I.” The year started with the huge win giving independent agencies access to significant tax relief, and ended with a trifecta of longtime priorities…
Med Pay – Motorcycle
Med Pay – Motorcycle QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 26, 2019
Hit and Run Surcharge?
Hit and Run Surcharge? QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December 26, 2019
RMV ATLAS Webinar Made Specifically for Insurance Agents
RMV ATLAS Webinar Made Specifically for Insurance Agents The RMV recently hosted an ATLAS webinar specifically for insurance agents that provided an update on key topics Insurance Policy Management (IPM, formerly UMS) program, and a demonstration of eService Portal functionality. The webinar recording is now available for on-demand viewing.
Looking Back on 2019, Looking Forward to 2020
Looking Back on 2019, Looking Forward to 2020 Greetings of the Season! Like most organizations, MAIA closes out each year with a look back at the challenges and successes of the previous 12 months. For us, the key question is always, “What did we accomplish for our members this year?” Here are some highlights of…
Give to InsurPac by December 31st
Give to InsurPac by December 31st As one of the most respected non-partisan industry PACs in the country, InsurPac-funding gives our Big “I” lobbyists in DC the credibility and power to influence legislative and policy matters on behalf of independent insurance agents. InsurPac gives every MAIA member a voice, and we ask every MAIA member…
Every Kiss Begins with… Jewelry Insurance!
Every Kiss Begins with… Jewelry Insurance! Gift-giving season is in full swing and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means lots of new jewelry and fancy watches floating around out there. Now’s the perfect time to offer your clients a standalone jewelry insurance policy from Jewelers Mutual. MAIA members can access this specialized…
Latest News on ACORD Forms Access
Latest News on ACORD Forms Access With January 1st fast approaching, MAIA has been fielding lots of questions from MA agents! ACORD and some of the agency management system companies are still finalizing the logistics, and they assure us that despite any authentication problems, MAIA/Big “I” members covered by the agreement will not have to…
No More RMV-1 Forms Allowed… Except from DRIVE Dealers
No More RMV-1 Forms Allowed… Except from DRIVE Dealers As of Monday, December 16, 2019, the Registration & Title Application (RTA) is the required form for all MA Registry transactions. (The RTA is the new ATLAS form that combines and replaces the former RMV-1 and RMV-3 forms). However, DRIVE Dealers will still be sending agents the…
Houston Insurance Collects Supplies for the Homeless
Houston Insurance Collects Supplies for the Homeless Houston Insurance celebrated their 125th anniversary last weekend! They marked this huge milestone occasion by celebrating with their clients and the community. Houston Insurance asked that people who came to the celebration bring in items for The Sun Will Rise Foundation’s Fill A Backpack For The Homeless Drive.
RMV Postpones USDOT Number Requirement on Some Commercial Vehicles
RMV Postpones USDOT Number Requirement on Some Commercial Vehicles The December 16 deadline we reported last week has passed, but the RMV has extended the deadline, which means that commercial vehicles under 10,001 lbs. and personal vehicles over 10,001 lbs. will NOT require a USDOT Number to register until early next year. The RMV will…
DOT Number Recipients Getting Fraudulent Marketing Calls
DOT Number Recipients Getting Fraudulent Marketing Calls The Problem: When your client secures a USDOT number, it becomes public record and there are companies out there that will immediately begin aggressively and fraudulently marketing to them, trying to get the client to pay them hundreds of dollars “to be in compliance” with federal regulations.
Victory – No More Duplicative Anti-Arson Forms
Victory – No More Duplicative Anti-Arson Forms Dear Members: I am pleased to report a significant win for our Association and the independent agents, carriers, and consumers of the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) has removed the requirement to complete a supplemental (and duplicative) anti-arson form when applying for fire insurance. (Read DOI…
Tech Talk: “I Don’t NEED Much Liability Insurance … and Certainly Not an Umbrella!”
Tech Talk: “I Don’t NEED Much Liability Insurance … and Certainly Not an Umbrella!” By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Streaming E&O Class on 1/15 Qualifies for Swiss Re Loss Control Credits
Streaming E&O Class on 1/15 Qualifies for Swiss Re Loss Control Credits MAIA’s Number One Agency is happy to share one of the exciting changes in MAIA’s 2020 Education schedule: a new live stream class called “E&O Changes” with the latest policies and practices to help your agency staff manage E&O risks. The first class…
RMV to Host ATLAS Webinar on Wednesday
RMV to Host ATLAS Webinar on Wednesday The RMV is hosting an ATLAS webinar for Insurance Agents on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST.
Why Truck Owners with Commercial Plates Should Renew NOW!
Why Truck Owners with Commercial Plates Should Renew NOW! As of December 16, 2019, ATLAS will require USDOT numbers for every commercial registration in order to renew. This new RMV practice affects two vehicle categories that are NOT required to have USDOT numbers: 1) trucks that are used in commerce in MA but weigh under…
2020 To-Do List: Refresh Your Benefits & Retirement Plans
2020 To-Do List: Refresh Your Benefits & Retirement Plans A fresh, new year is a great time for a fresh look at your employee benefits, long-term care, and retirement options. As a MAIA and Big “I” member, you have access to Group Health, Dental, and Vision through MAIA’s Number One Agency, and Group Term Life,…
Agency Owners: Are You Ignoring These 7 Risks to Your Business?
Agency Owners: Are You Ignoring These 7 Risks to Your Business? Oftentimes, agency owners are so focused on their clients’ needs that they neglect their own, placing their business at increased risk. In case you missed it, a recent issue of The Standard featured an article by InsurBanc’s David Tralka discussing seven risks you need…
MAIA’s Inclement Weather Policy for Education Programs – Updated
MAIA’s Inclement Weather Policy for Education Programs – Updated
What the New Hands-Free Driving Law Means for Your Clients
What the New Hands-Free Driving Law Means for Your Clients Here are a few details that your MA auto clients should know about the new Hands-Free Driving Law: It takes effect February 23, 2020. It will be illegal for drivers to do anything other than tap their cellphone once to activate hands-free mode – and…
Driver’s Manual Updated
Driver’s Manual Updated A new 11/2019 Driver’s Manual (English version) is now in the RMV warehouse and will soon be distributed to all RMV Service Centers. It is already available on the RMV website (www.mass.gov/rmv). The new version has a burgundy cover that features an image of cars driving down a country road.
CAR Updates Manual of Administrative Procedures
CAR Updates Manual of Administrative Procedures Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) has released Bulletin No. 1092-Updates to the Manual of Administrative Procedures, announcing that the manual has been updated to reflect changes in the following sections: Chapter I-Overview; Chapter II- Servicing Carrier Appointment; Chapter III; Servicing Carrier Responsibilities; and Chapter X- Servicing Carrier and Exclusive Representative…
CAR Electrical Shutdown, December 11 at 2:00 PM
CAR Electrical Shutdown, December 11 at 2:00 PM Due to a planned electrical shutdown in its data center, CAR’s websites, mainframe, and telephones will be unavailable on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, from 2:00 PM to approximately 6:00 PM. During the shutdown, producers will be unable to process any policy applications or make any assignments through…