New Road Test Locations and Providers

August 15, 2023 The RMV has entered into several new partnerships to expand the number of road test locations throughout the state. These new locations will not offer any transactions other than Class D Road Tests. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA) Updates

August 15, 2023 With the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), the RMV has updated the checklist for Acceptable ID Documents. There are now two checklists. Also, the Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit, or ID Card Application has been revised to include section B8 regarding customers who do not have a SSN and what is required. REAL ID,…

Power of Attorney for Registration and Title Transactions

August 15, 2023 Effective August 21, the RMV has created a new Power of Attorney (POA) form and has standardized the rules for how and when a POA is required whenever a third-party agent (a designated person, partnership, or corporation) is signing any document necessary to process a registration or title transaction on the behalf…

Coverage for Autos with Handicap Equipment and Drivers

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of June 2023. Question We had an inquiry about where to go on coverage. I believe we would need to write a ceded commercial auto policy as I do not believe it would qualify for Mass personal auto. Can I get…

Senior Appointment Scheduling – Revised

August 8, 2023 Customers who are at least 65 years of age or have a disability can call the RMV’s dedicated appointment line at 857-368-8005, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to schedule a license or ID appointment. Senior appointments can be scheduled for most RMV Service Center locations during any available time Monday through Friday…

Portuguese Driver’s Manual

August 8, 2023 A Portuguese version of the July 2023 Passenger (Class D) Driver’s Manual has been printed and will soon be distributed to all RMV Service Centers. It will also soon be available to order on the RMV website. View the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

New Road Test Locations in Braintree and Mattapan

August 8, 2023 Class D Road Tests are now available for all customers at the new Granite Plaza location in Braintree. This location is in addition to the road test services available at the Braintree Service Center on Plain Street. Beginning Monday, August 7, Class D Road Tests will also be available for all customers at…

Removable Equipment

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of June 2023. Question Being a Jeep owner myself, I’m not sure why my brain never chewed this one around before, but it came up with a customer, so I wanted to be sure – Wranglers have doors and a roof…

New Certification Requirement to Access the RMV System

July 31, 2023 Per 940 CMR 37.00, each end user, is required to certify compliance to permit access to the RMV records. Accessing the portal as an end user, on or after July 31, 2023, will serve as certification that you have agreed to the new requirements. When logging into the portal, there is language confirming you and your business accepts the certification,…

2023 Q1 Massachusetts P&C Premium Summary

You are being provided this 2023 Q1 Massachusetts P&C Premium Summary covering the Massachusetts property and casualty (P&C) insurance marketplace as a benefit of your membership in the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. 2023 QUARTERLY ENHANCEMENTS: First is the addition of the “Fee Prognosticator, after Bob Fee suggested it at the IAAE summer meeting last year,…

Canadian Vehicles

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of June 2023. Question We had an insured come in with a vehicle that was gifted to him from his parents in Canada. Do you know what we need to do to get it registered in Massachusetts? Thanks! Answer Kathy Cormier:…

Drones

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of June 2023. Question Hope all is well. I was browsing through your Tech Talks, looking to see if you did one on Drones. I tried to search by Drones, and nothing came up. If you did one, will you please…

Senior Hours and Saturday Hours

July 18, 2023 Customers age 65 and older, and customers with disabilities, can schedule a senior appointment for most RMV Service Center locations during any available time Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. View the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

New Online Learner’s Permit Exam Requirements

July 18, 2023 Effective July 12 at 6 pm, new features will be added to the online Class D and M learner’s permit exam for compliance and safety purposes. These features were previously announced and planned for June 14 but were delayed due to testing issues. View the Exam Requirements here. View the Instructions here. Questions?…

Expanded Service Center Hours and New Road Test Locations – Revised

July 18, 2023 Due to the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), RMV Service Center hours of operation have expanded, and new road test locations have been added. Saturday hours for seven locations have been posted as well. View the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Attention: EVR Permit Holders

July 18, 2023 If your EVR Permit Holder location has any name, ownership, or address change, you MUST notify the EVR Department and your Service Provider in advance. There are documents that are required for both the Service Provider and the RMV/EVR Department that must be completed for these types of changes. When the EVR…

Every Business Has an Auto Exposure, Whether They Own an Auto or Not

June 20, 2023 Written By: Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW – Vice President of Technical Affairs, MAIA Happy …rainy July – a great month if one is a duck! Yet another agent email question seemed like a good tech talk, so here goes. Agent Question: We insure a body shop,…

Business Use MA Auto Coverage

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2023. Question Someone on my CL team reached out regarding a large account that they handle. They have a CL auto, and there are several employees that use their personal autos for business use. The CL auto policy contains…

Revised – Expanded Service Center Hours and New Road Test Locations

July 10, 2023 The Easthampton and Southbridge RMV Service Centers do not have expanded hours; their hours are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The attached revised training update lists the corrected hours. View the update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Stolen Vehicle

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of June 2023. Question One of our customers has property damage from a claim with a Geico insured during the accident…the driver (unknown) left the scene of the accident, and the owner of the vehicle reported the vehicle stolen. Geico claims…

Expanded Service Center Hours and New Road Test Locations

July 5, 2023 Due to the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), RMV Service Center hours of operation are expanding, and new road test locations will be added. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Foreign Language Document Translation Policy

June 30, 2023 Effective immediately, to ensure the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) lawfully issues all licenses, identification cards, certificates of title, and registrations, the standards described in this training update have been established for accepting documents presented by customers that are not written or printed in English. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact…

Vermont Out-of-State Registration Certification Forms

June 30. 2023 Beginning July 1, 2023, the Vermont DMV will evaluate all out-of-state motor vehicle transactions based on the applicant’s home state’s laws, regulations, and policies, prior to registering and titling a vehicle. Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

Collision Coverage Question

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2023. Question A scenario came up today in our team meeting that we had a different opinion on, and I’m hoping you might be able to assist. The insured owns a 2008 Toyota SUV, which was involved in an…

New July 2023 Driver’s Manual

June 30, 2023 A new July 2023 Driver’s Manual has been printed and will soon be distributed to all RMV Service Centers. It is already available on the RMV website. The new manual has a redesigned purple cover featuring safe driving images and phrases. The manual also features new spiral binding. In addition to English, the Driver’s Manual…

2023 Plate Lottery

June 30, 2023 The 2023 RMV Plate Lottery begins on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. Customers can enter the plate lottery online using the myRMV Online Service Center. The lottery is online submission only; there is no paper application available. The deadline to enter the lottery is Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 5 p.m. Read…

External WFMA Call Center

June 28, 2023 The RMV has hired a third-party call center vendor, SaviLinx, LLC, to assist with the anticipated demand related to the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA). SaviLinx will be the front-line contact for customers calling the WFMA Hotline: 857-368-WFMA (9362). Read the full update here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or…

WFMA Information and Resources Available Now Online

June 28, 2023 The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) recently announced plans to implement the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), effective July 1. Resources relating to WFMA are now available on the WFMA web page. Translations of these resources into multiple languages will be posted on this page as available. WFMA allows eligible residents in…

The Chicopee RMV Will Remain a Full B2B Location

June 27, 2023 Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has announced that the Chicopee Service Center will remain a full B2B location. It will not become a limited B2B or offer road tests, as was previously planned. All B2B services and hours will remain as they currently are in Chicopee and all other B2B locations. Road tests that were scheduled for Chicopee…

Motorhome Owned by a Business

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of June 2023. Question I received a voicemail from a member. She had a business customer who purchased a $600K RV in the name of the business. The owner of the business plans on “Living” in the RV. The commercial carrier…

Chicopee RMV Will Remain a Limited B2B

June 21, 2023 Beginning June 26, the Chicopee RMV will offer limited B2B services, in addition to becoming a Road Test Center. This is a change to the previous plan to cease B2B services in Chicopee. View the full update here.  Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

“Auto Equipment” and the AIB MAP and ISO HO

June 20, 2023 Written By: Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW – Vice President of Technical Affairs, MAIA One of your member benefits is asking questions of MAIA staff. We love answering questions, but sometimes we can provide “an answer” as there might not be “the answer.” The following is a…

Policy for Auto and MC

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2023. Question Has there been any article from MAIA about having an automobile and a motorcycle on the same policy and whether that is the wrong thing to do? Some carriers will allow them to be on the same…

New Online Learner’s Permit Exam Requirements

On Wednesday, June 14, at 5 pm, new features will be added to the online Class D and M learner’s permit exam for compliance and safety purposes. To take the learner’s permit exam at home, the applicant must have access to a computer with a web camera, and only specific browsers can be used. Review…

Adding a Newly Licensed Driver to MAP

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2023. Question Is there a new law regarding when a Newly Licensed/Permitted driver must be added to an auto policy? We have an insurance company that automatically added a driver with a permit to the policy without our request,…

Chicopee RMV Changing to Road Tests Only

June 7, 2023 Effective Friday, June 23, 2023, the Chicopee RMV will stop processing registration bundles and will no longer be a B2B Center. For more information, read the full update here and the official letter here. Questions? Contact Kathy Cormier at 508-634-7353 or via email at [email protected].

2023 Massachusetts Annual P&C Marketplace Summary

You are being provided this 2023 Massachusetts Annual P&C Marketplace Summary covering the Massachusetts property and casualty (P&C) insurance marketplace as a benefit of your membership in the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents. What follows is a graphic and numeric presentation of the Massachusetts P&C industry data from an independent agent’s perspective. The data used…

Suspension of Coverage on Salvage Vehicles

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2023. Question I have an insured whose vehicle was totaled in an accident. It was totaled only because of dollars and cents. Nothing structural. So the insured negotiated to keep the vehicle. After the payout, the carrier suspended physical…

2023 MAIA Advocacy Fund Contributors

We sincerely thank the following independent agents for contributing to the 2023 MAIA Advocacy Fund. Your contributions will directly support efforts to protect your business interests and ensure a fair legislative and regulatory environment. THANK YOU! A David Risman Insurance Agency, Inc. A. P. Michaud Insurance Inc Acrisure Aronson LLC Adams Village Insurance Ahmed Insurance…

Food Concession Trailer

*This question was answered based on current rules, regulations & statutes in effect as of May 2023. Question I have a prospect that owns a food trailer and is looking for GL and WC – The vehicle that will be pulling the trailer is registered to a different business entity with separate insurance. They haven’t…