RMV Update – 2022 Plate Lottery

RMV Update – 2022 Plate Lottery The 2022 RMV Plate Lottery began on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 5p.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 Friday, September 2, 2022 at 5p.m.…

Changes to Big “I” Markets Commission Payments Take Effect September 1

Changes to Big “I” Markets Commission Payments Take Effect September 1 Over the past several years, Big “I” has encouraged all Big “I” Markets agents to enroll to receive commissions via electronic funds transfer (EFT) as part of its Disaster Recovery Plan. They’ve made great progress and are grateful so many agents have supported the…

Hired/Non-Owned Auto Coverage

Question This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June, 2022: Hired/Non-Owned Auto Coverage: Please clarify for us where an insured is covered under their Non Owned and Hired auto policy for BI or PD caused by a subcontractor? Answer Irene Morrill If the coverage is purchased through a BAP…

Tech Talk: Your Policy Coverage Could Be Limited Because of This…

Did You Know That How the Insured’s Name on the Commercial Policy Declaration’s Page is Written Can Limit Policy Coverage – a Recent MA Court Case Said So! by Irene L. Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, CPIW, LIA VP Technical Affairs, MAIA   It’s scary when understanding policy language isn’t enough.  The court case involved…

Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – July 2022

Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – July 2022 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 Allstate ALSE133292421 Rule 12/01/22 New/Renew AMICA Mutual AMMA133168420 Rate 09/01/22 New/Renew +6% AMICA…

Tech Talk: Insureds Name on the Commercial Policy Declarations Page and How it Can Limit Coverage

Big ‘I’ Opposes Tax Increases as Reconciliation Talks Heat Up

Big ‘I’ Opposes Tax Increases as Reconciliation Talks Heat Up Earlier last week, the Big “I” joined nearly 200 organizations representing millions of Main Street businesses and employing tens of millions of American workers in sending a letter to congressional leadership urging them not to raise taxes on small businesses as part of any effort to enact…

Opportunity for Agents Representing Municipalities and Nonprofits

Opportunity for Agents Representing Municipalities and Nonprofits The DIA (Department of Industrial Accidents) grant is different than the Workforce Training Fund grant in that it applies to municipalities and nonprofits that do not participate in the traditional unemployment pool. A few additional points: Maximum of $25,000 (upwards of 100 employees depending on training needs) Allows…

Congratulations to Lori & Elaine and Welcome to Chris & Rebecka!

Congratulations to Lori & Elaine and Welcome to Chris & Rebecka! Number One has a few staff changes that we are sharing so members can update their contact information. Lori Kane joined Number One back in 2019 as the Hospitality & Flood Concierge Program manager selling & servicing our member brokers in placing coverage for…

Congratulations to Lori & Elaine and Welcome to Chris & Rebecka!

Congratulations to Lori & Elaine and Welcome to Chris & Rebecka! Number One has a few staff changes that we are sharing so members can update their contact information. Lori Kane joined Number One back in 2019 as the Hospitality & Flood Concierge Program manager selling & servicing our member brokers in placing coverage for…

Insurance RCE-Finished Square Feet

Question Insurance RCE – Finished Square Feet – Factoring in Cathedral Ceilings? This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May, 2022: We are running into a topic that seems very gray with different towns and assessors: Cathedral ceilings. We have notice on the town’s assessor’s database, some town…

2022 MAIA Advocacy Fund Supporters

2022 MAIA Advocacy Fund Supporters MAIA would like to say a huge THANK YOU to our growing list of donors! Your support is essential in allowing MAIA’s Advocacy Team to voice your concerns to the Massachusetts legislators and regulators who impact your livelihood. If you have not yet had a chance to do so, please consider…

RLI Personal Umbrella Rate Changes Effective 7/1/2022!

RLI Personal Umbrella Rate Changes Effective 7/1/2022! Important changes if you are quoting or renewing RLI Personal Umbrella! RLI has increased Personal Umbrella rates Effective as of July 1, 2022 on all MA & NH New & Renewal business and Excess UM/UIM premium coverage fees. For effective dates beginning with 7/1/2022: MA insureds should complete…

RLI Personal Umbrella Rate Changes Effective 7/1/2022!

RLI Personal Umbrella Rate Changes Effective 7/1/2022! Important changes if you are quoting or renewing RLI Personal Umbrella! RLI has increased Personal Umbrella rates Effective as of July 1, 2022 on all MA & NH New & Renewal business and Excess UM/UIM premium coverage fees. For effective dates beginning with 7/1/2022: MA insureds should complete…

Public or Livery

Question Public or Livery:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May, 2022: Question:  I have a client who works as a therapeutic mentor and drives clients with special needs as part of her job function. She drives them to locations in the community for support for social skills…

Reimbursement of Hotel with Total Loss

Question Reimbursement of Hotel with Total Loss:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May, 2022: Question:  Auto coverage question…  our insured’s sons got into an accident in Ohio.  The car was totaled.  The police drop them at a hotel until the parents can pick them up.  Is the…

Public or Livery

Question Public or Livery:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May, 2022: Question:  I have a client who works as a therapeutic mentor and drives clients with special needs as part of her job function. She drives them to locations in the community for support for social skills…

Thank You All for Another Successful MA Young Agents Golf Tournament!

Thank You All for Another Successful MA Young Agents Golf Tournament! The Young Agents Committee wrapped up yet another successful Golf Tournament on June 15, once again hosted at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA. It was a pleasure to see old faces out on the range, network with industry partners, and raise money for…

Road Tests Returning to Pre-Pandemic Locations

Road Tests Returning to Pre-Pandemic Locations Road Tests will return to the following RMV Service Centers beginning the week of June 21, 2022.  Tests have not been available here since before the pandemic. Easthampton (Class D only) – Tuesdays and Wednesdays Martha’s Vineyard (Class D and M) – Tuesdays only Southbridge (Class D only) –…

Road Tests Returning to Pre-Pandemic Locations

Road Tests Returning to Pre-Pandemic Locations Road Tests will return to the following RMV Service Centers beginning the week of June 21, 2022.  Tests have not been available here since before the pandemic. Easthampton (Class D only) – Tuesdays and Wednesdays Martha’s Vineyard (Class D and M) – Tuesdays only Southbridge (Class D only) –…

Coverage for Pools

Question Coverage for Pools:  This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 2022: Swimming pools…are ALL types Coverage B/detached structures?  Again, this applies to inground AND above ground? Back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and I began in insurance, I learned above ground pools were covered under contents and…

How your MAIA Member helps you get access to ACORD Forms?

How your MAIA Member helps you get access to ACORD Forms? MAIA members are eligible for a complimentary license to use ACORD Forms supplied by vendors (through an agency management system). If you use an agency management system to access ACORD Forms – Claim your license by clicking here and select Big I Agency Vendor-Supplied Forms License…

Tech Talk: Yet Another Auto Rental Question

Tech Talk: Yet Another Auto Rental Question by Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, MLIS, LIA, CPIW VP Technical Affairs, MAIA Happy almost summer!  Part of my job is answering questions and I know I discuss the following issue in class, but I haven’t addressed it specifically in a Tech Talk. An agent asked…

Replacement Credentials Due to Printing Defect

Replacement Credentials Due to Printing Defect Idemia (the card manufacturer for the RMV) recently manufactured and mailed 53,680 license/ID cards with a printing defect.  This issue affected certain license/ID cards for transactions processed online or in service centers between April 9th and May 15th. Replacement credentials have been printed and mailed to affected customers.  An insert…

Replacement Credentials Due to Printing Defect

Replacement Credentials Due to Printing Defect Idemia (the card manufacturer for the RMV) recently manufactured and mailed 53,680 license/ID cards with a printing defect.  This issue affected certain license/ID cards for transactions processed online or in service centers between April 9th and May 15th. Replacement credentials have been printed and mailed to affected customers.  An insert…

“Question of the Day” is Changing to “Question of the Week”!

“Question of the Day” is Changing to “Question of the Week”! One of our GREAT MEMBER BENEFITS is our ‘Ask a MAIA Specialist!’ You have questions and we are here to help you find the answers! And, once we’ve done the research and responded, we like to share the questions and answers with our members so…

IRP Renewals Expire the end June

IRP Renewals Expire the end June Your IRP customers can now renew their plates online through the RMV IRP Portal.  The following link has step by step instructions on how your customers can use the portal if they have an existing log in or need to sign up for a log in:  https://atlas.massrmv.com/Portals/54/Docs/AtlasR2Training/IRP%20Renewals%20through%20the%20IRP%20Portal.pdf Existing e-Service Portal…

IRP Renewals Expire the end June

IRP Renewals Expire the end June Your IRP customers can now renew their plates online through the RMV IRP Portal.  The following link has step by step instructions on how your customers can use the portal if they have an existing log in or need to sign up for a log in:  https://atlas.massrmv.com/Portals/54/Docs/AtlasR2Training/IRP%20Renewals%20through%20the%20IRP%20Portal.pdf Existing e-Service Portal…

Don’t Play Games with Your E&O Coverage

Don’t Play Games with Your E&O Coverage Curve Ball: A pitch that looks like it’s coming right at you and then curves in when you least expect it. In business you’re going to get curve balls thrown at you all the time. MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency would tell you don’t play games with your…

Don’t Play Games with Your E&O Coverage

Don’t Play Games with Your E&O Coverage Curve Ball: A pitch that looks like it’s coming right at you and then curves in when you least expect it. In business you’re going to get curve balls thrown at you all the time. MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency would tell you don’t play games with your…

Antique Plate on Tractor

Question   Antique Plate on Tractor: This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on December, 2020: I am trying to find information in the Registry Procedures manual about registering a Tractor Trailer/Semi-trailer for personal use.  It’s a 1972 Peterbilt and is used personally and he is trying to register it…

Rated Operator

Question Rated Operator This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 8, 2021 Customer leases a vehicle in two names.  One driver has a surrendered license doesn’t drive and the wife was the licensed operator and she passed away. What he is coming up against is that the…

Surchargeable Comp. Loss

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2021 Good Afternoon! One of our insurance carriers recently “upgraded” their system. There have been many issues in the new system Today I was reviewing a client’s Glass claim.  He has full glass, $0 deductible. In their system, it…

New Registry Check Policy Change

Question New Registry Check Policy Change This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 14, 2021 I’m not sure if you are the correct person to reach out to, but I saw your contact information online and thought you might be a great starting point. I’m trying to find…

Personal Auto Cancellation

Question Personal Auto Cancellation This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 5, 2021 I have an issue with a personal auto that I don’t think I can solve without opening myself up to an E&O. My CSR quoted a former customer who has 4 points. His son…

Surviving Spouse and Original Title

Question Surviving Spouse and Original Title This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on March 2, 2021 Can you please check with registry. Vehicle is registered in husbands name only he has passed away. There is still a loan on the car and bank says loan is in both…

HONK Technologies, Inc./Urgently, Inc.

HONK Technologies, Inc./Urgently, Inc., This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on June 29, 2021 We were just made aware yesterday that the above two companies are a TNC based application. You download an app and when your vehicle is disabled- you can request road side assistance. We have a…

Trailer C of O’s

Question   Trailer C of O’s This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 28, 2021: We are having this problem the RMV keeping the original Certificates of Origin and not accepting copies.  We are sending copies to the RMV but they are declining our paperwork saying they need…

Trailer Only in Personal Name and MAIP

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 18, 2021 Is it possible to have a trailer only in a personal name on a MAIP policy? Answer Kathy Cormier:  I believe with MAP you need to have an auto in order to have the trailer…Irene? Irene Morrill:  The MAIP…

NH Driver on a MA Policy

Question NH Driver on MA Policy This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 29, 2021 I am hoping that you can assist me… I have an insured who is adamant that I am incorrect because he has “been insured this way for years.” He has a NH Driver’s…