Discounts on State-Mandated Employee Background Checks
Discounts on State-Mandated Employee Background Checks MA agencies are required to keep criminal background checks on file for all personnel (current or new) who access motor vehicle records. With the goings-on at the MA Registry, including the release of ATLAS II in November, it’s a good time to make sure you have all your ducks…
Purple Heart Registration
Purple Heart Registration QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 26, 2019
MAP or BAP
MAP or BAP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 24, 2019
Surviving Spouse Transfers
Surviving Spouse Transfers QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 24, 2019
Non-Payment and Collection of Unearned Premium
Non-Payment and Collection of Unearned Premium QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 24, 2019
Progressive 2As – again
Progressive 2As – again QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 25, 2019
Cassandra Koegel Joins MAIA as Membership Engagement Director
Cassandra Koegel Joins MAIA as Membership Engagement Director We are proud to introduce MAIA’s new Membership Engagement Director, Cassandra Koegel, CISR, AINS. Cassandra spent the last five years at Arbella and is licensed in P&C. She has been active in MAIA’s Young Agents Committee for the past two years and has established a solid knowledge…
Important Updates to our Hospitality Program at Number One
Important Updates to our Hospitality Program at Number One Meet Lori Kane! Lori is Number One Insurance Agency’s newest program manager, serving our brokers with Hospitality clients. You can reach Lori directly at [email protected] or (508) 634-7361.
Revisiting Berkshire Hathaway’s 3-Page Small Business Policy
Revisiting Berkshire Hathaway’s 3-Page Small Business Policy THREE, the 3-page small business policy marketed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, presents statements such as: “no need for brokers or lawyers to translate your policy” and “by simplifying the process we were able to take out the middleman.” In case you missed it, Chris Boggs of the Big…
Audit Reveals Overbilling of Insurance Companies by DOI
Audit Reveals Overbilling of Insurance Companies by DOI Last week, MA State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump released an audit that calls on the Division of Insurance (DOI) to discontinue an unauthorized practice that has exempted more than 62 insurers from paying a required annual fee. As a result of this practice, the remaining insurance companies…
CAR Bulletin No. 1085-Servicing Carrier and ERP Standards for the Verification of Applicant Drivers’ Licenses
CAR Bulletin No. 1085-Servicing Carrier and ERP Standards for the Verification of Applicant Drivers’ Licenses This recent CAR Bulletin outlines the new standards for Servicing Carriers and ERPs to follow in verifying an applicant’s’ driver’s license . For all new business in the commercial automobile residual market, and for all new and renewal business in the…
Free Job Postings & Resume Review for Members Only
Free Job Postings & Resume Review for Members Only Your agency is looking for great people to join your team. Meanwhile, smart, motivated people who want to work in insurance are actively seeking job opportunities. If only you could find each other! Well, guess what: You can and it’s FREE. MAIA’s online Career HQ is…
Lemonade … and Purchasing Insurance
Lemonade … and Purchasing Insurance By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA
Help Number One Help You with E&O
Help Number One Help You with E&O As a subsidiary of MAIA, the Number One Insurance Agency (Number One) is here to protect and serve your agency. At the same time, any profits generated by Number One go back to support the work of MAIA. And of course, MAIA is here to protect and serve…
WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Updated Information on Residual Market Share 08-19
WCRIBMA Special Bulletin: Updated Information on Residual Market Share 08-19 The MA Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIBMA) released Special Bulletin 08-19, Updated Information on Residual Market Share.
Changes Coming for Vehicle Valuation & MSRP Data Access via RMV
Changes Coming for Vehicle Valuation & MSRP Data Access via RMV The RMV’s current operational system (ALARS) provides insurance companies and agents access to Vehicle Valuation and Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) data from the National Dealers Association (NADA) via a screen and guest function. However, when the RMV completes its transition to ATLAS Release…
Several Personal Umbrella Carriers to Implement Major Changes
Several Personal Umbrella Carriers to Implement Major Changes
Staffing News at MAIA & Number One Agency
Staffing News at MAIA & Number One Agency When MAIA’s Education Program Coordinator Emily Oliver announced that she’d be retiring from MAIA after 31 years, we were happy for her, sad to be losing a beloved colleague, and worried about replacing such an experienced and knowledgeable team member! As it turned out, the solution was…
Sales Tax Penalties and Interest
Sales Tax Penalties and Interest QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 28, 2019 I was hoping you could help on this One of our insured’s had purchased a 1956 Triumph in pieces back in 1982 which he has restored/re-built … the vehicle was untitled to…
New Auto Policy/Suspended License
New Auto Policy/Suspended License QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 23, 2019 Quick Question: If someone has a suspended license can they register and insure a vehicle? I know that for insurance they would have to list a licensed driver but would the registry accept…
Cancellation of Auto Policy
Cancellation of Auto Policy QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 23, 2019 We received a printed and signed narrative from an insured requesting the cancellation of his auto policy (see attached). Something in my fading memory bank makes me think that this could be an…
Registered Auto Body & Glass Repair Shops as of 7/25/19
Registered Auto Body & Glass Repair Shops as of 7/25/19 The Automobile insurers Bureau (AIB) recently posted updated lists of registered auto body and glass repair shops by county, which were provided by the Massachusetts Division of Standards. AIB displays the lists of auto body repair shops in compliance with the Insurance Commissioner’s Regulation, 211…
Too Many Flood Carriers? Roll Over to The Hartford!
Too Many Flood Carriers? Roll Over to The Hartford! If you’ve considered rolling over your flood book to one carrier, look no further than WYO Flood with The Hartford! Easy online quoting, policy downloads, and 20% new business commission for the first year! Yes! But that’s not all The Hartford offers:
Applications Open for New Striped Bass License Plates
Applications Open for New Striped Bass License Plates The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and MA Environmental Trust (MET) are collecting applications for the new Striped Bass Conservation specialty passenger plate. Once they receive enough orders (at least 750), they’ll deliver the orders to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the plates will be printed.…
Brand Resources to Amplify Your Agency Marketing
Brand Resources to Amplify Your Agency Marketing Yet another advantage of being a member of MAIA and the Big “I” is that you have access to fantastic brand resources designed to make you and your agency look good. And the best part? Many are free or reimbursable! Through Trusted Choice®, the Big “I” marketing arm,…
Garaging
Garaging QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 19, 2019 I am looking to get information about garaging on Ma auto policy. Is it written anywhere in a MA auto policy that it is an insured’s responsibility to inform the carrier of a garaging change for…
Substitute Transportation
Substitute Transportation QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 19, 2019 I need to have a question answered. On the MA auto policy, from all I have learned in 15 years as an agent, your coverage follows you. If an insured is driving another persons auto…
Moped
Moped QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 19, 2019 I wanted to check into seeing if MAIP has the ability to insure a 49CC moped for a client that is looking to see if he can insure it. Thank you in advance for any guidance…
Slide on Camper
Slide on Camper QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 24, 2019 So sorry to bother you! We have a customer with a “camper” that does not have any wheels, there was not a title issued to it & it is not self propelled: it slides…
A New Way to Get LPLI Business from Your Lawyer Clients
A New Way to Get LPLI Business from Your Lawyer Clients Many agents insure lawyer clients for auto, home, or business — but NOT for professional liability. That’s a missed opportunity! Luckily, MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency can give you the “foot in the door” you need to approach your clients about quoting their LPLI…
Dog Claim
Dog Claim QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 01, 2019 If a dog owned by an insured chews the seat belt, is this covered under the MA Auto Policy? Thank you!
Waiver of Deductible and Limited Collision Coverages – Just How Do They Work? Personal or Commercial Auto
Waiver of Deductible and Limited Collision Coverages – Just How Do They Work? Personal or Commercial Auto By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA
Auto Rental
Auto Rental QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 09, 2019 It’s that time of year again & “is a car I rent covered for physical damage & liability, the same as my vehicles listed on my policy” is being asked. While we always state, BUY…
Trailers and Business Use
Trailers and Business Use QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 11, 2019 We have a strange question. We have someone who has a boat trailer. It is 4000 lbs. They tow it with their business vehicle. The business vehicle is the only vehicle they have…
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – July 2019
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – July 2019
Reckless Driving Violation Surcharge Points Increase
Reckless Driving Violation Surcharge Points Increase MAIA and all Carriers have received the following notice from the Merit Rating Bureau regarding increases to the surcharge points applied to reckless driving violations under two ATLAS violation codes. The changes may have implications for your insureds who have these violations on their record.
CAR Deems Multiple Changes to Rules of Operation Effective July 23
CAR Deems Multiple Changes to Rules of Operation Effective July 23 Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) issued two recent Bulletins (No. 1083 and No. 1084) announcing that 16 amendments to the Rules of Operation have been deemed approved, effective July 23, 2019, and one proposed amendment was disapproved.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) and Insurance
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) and Insurance QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 08, 2019 I have a question in regards to handling OUI drivers, the registry and auto insurance. My insured has suspended license. She will need a breathalyzer in her car per court. She…
MAIA’s Bold New Ad Campaign is Live
MAIA’s Bold New Ad Campaign is Live UPDATE: New Ad Campaign is Generating Buzz!MAIA’s 2019 consumer ad campaign has been running on Facebook, Instagram, Pandora, Hulu, and other digital channels for several weeks, targeting potential MA insurance seekers with bold, edgy ads promoting the value of local independent insurance agents. THANK YOU to all who…
Auto Ins. PAP vs. Comml
Auto Ins. PAP vs. Comml QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 11, 2019 I recently (two months ago) wrote a new personal auto policy for an acquaintance who handed me the expiring declarations when he asked me to write his insurance. He is a 68…