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Question of the Week

Commercial Drivers and SDIP

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 30, 2020 QUESTION An adjuster told me today that a driver involved and liable in an accident with a vehicle on a commercial policy is not surcharged, that it is not reported to the registry. Is this true?

HHM or NOT and Garaging

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 24, 2020 QUESTION Hi Irene, good afternoon. For the first time I have been receiving requests from clients asking me to add a relative + second auto into their policies, placing garage of another city for the second auto (also…

BAP – Listed Drivers

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2020 QUESTION I was hoping one of you might be able to shed some light on a question that came up from one of our clients. This particular insured of ours is insured on her company’s auto policy and…

Skoolie Bus Converted to Motor Home

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that is thinking of purchasing what they call a “skoolie” it’s a school bus that is converted to a motorhome,  it would have bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc. just like a regular  motorhome.  If…

Damage to Jeep Top

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that took their top off their jeep and it was laying on the ground and was damaged by lightening. Would that be covered under their auto policy? Thank you very much for your…

Another Trailer (Tis the season)

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 28, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured who has a personal auto policy, a Porsche and an Infinit, and he now has a 10,000 lb trailer that he uses for his boat.  However, neither one of these vehicles will be…

Bus Converted to Motor Home

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 28, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured who is buying this 2010 Ford 450 Van ( it is actually a bus) he is actually converting it into a driveable motor home.  Our question is we are trying to at least…

Pending Cancellation/Stamping RTA

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 24, 2020 QUESTION I am hoping you can help. We had previously been advised (not by you) that if we are asked to stamp registrations while a policy is pending cancellation for nonpayment or any other reason (commercial or personal),…

Dates for Insurance/RTA

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 02, 2020 QUESTION Hope you’re doing well. Sometimes the longer I’m in insurance the less I know! Clarification please! Vehicle sale Date vs Date RTA stamped by Agent vs effective date of endorsement We stamp the RTA the date we…

Out-of-State Temporary Registrations

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 02, 2020 QUESTION I’ve recently had a couple of customers come in that had been using temporary plates for cars purchased outside of Massachusetts. Are they considered legal in ma? Are there any exclusions on ma auto policy that we…

Dump Truck – Personal Use

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION We have a customer who bought a dump truck for personal use between his two properties.  My understanding is that because of the dump body he still needs commercial plates.  Others say that has changed and he…

Newspaper Delivery

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION Is a vehicle (2003 Subaru Outback) that an insured uses to deliver newspapers eligible to be written on the Mass Personal Auto Policy? It is currently with Pilgrim Insurance through MAIP and they have issued a cancellation…

Replacement Plates

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION I have an Insured who went to get his vehicle  inspected and was rejected for his Green Plate  . Inspection site told him  to contact his Insurance  Agent they would take care of it ….. I did…

Snow Plowing & Plate Type

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION Quick question does my insured who has  a private passenger auto policy need commercial normal plates on his truck if he plows?

3rd. Party Rental

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION If my insured was in a car accident and he doesn’t have rental can an insurance company who is at fault say they want to fix everything in order to give my insured a rental or can…

RMV Service Centers

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION Is the RMV allowing agents to appear at the registry on behalf of their clients to process a transaction if an appointment is made or must the client appear? Thank you.

Value for Sales Tax

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a question once of my insured’s is trying to register a 1956 Ford Thunderbird. The registry came back with a book value Of $31,400. Where do they get the book value when I tried pulling…

Consumer RMV Contact for Drop Off Centers

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION Do you have a resource a client can use to follow up on an issue resulting from using the RMV drop off locations.  We have tried to call the RMV. After sitting on the phone for 3…

Can Relative Sell Vehicle if Owner Passed

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION How are you? A question in bullet points My insureds sister passed away, her auto is registered out of state (MD) My insured is in charge of her affairs and needs to sell car Sisters auto registration…

MAP Trailer w/Business Use Exclusion

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 04, 2020 QUESTION We have a policy question on trailers. Client has a personal auto policy with pickup with business use in his personal name. He wants to add a trailer GVW 15,000.  Are there any exclusions on the  MA…

Reassignment of Reserve Plate

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 11, 2020 QUESTION Do you know if a passenger reserved plate can be transferred to a family member?

Appraisal for Antique Vehicle

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 22, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured that purchased a 1935 Ford auto, with a CT assignment of ownership.  He paid $2000 for it and put a lot of work into it to make it road worthy.  He also has…

CARVANA

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 22, 2020 QUESTION Have you had any experience with anyone buying a vehicle with CARVANA or an online dealer? I have an insured who is trying to purchase a vehicle through CARVANA (and online car dealer) They advised the client…

Personal or Commercial Policy

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 22, 2020 QUESTION I have a question please. I have a client who had a 2018 Ford F350 which is on a personal policy.  He is replacing it with a 2021 Ford F450 that weighs 14,000 pounds and does not…

Travel Trailers and Temp Plates

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a client purchasing a travel trailer in Maine that we will be putting on his Mass Auto policy for Collision and Comprehensive coverage.  He is driving up to pick the unit up today. The Maine…

MAP Forms

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 15, 2020 QUESTION We are adding forms to a new system. Among them are three forms that have not received requests for. They are MPY-0028-S 01 89 Other Optional Insurance –Fire, Lightening and Transportation MPY-0029-S 01 89 Other Optional Insurance…

Personal Trailer/Insurance

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 16, 2020 QUESTION We write a commercial account and a personal lines auto twist question has come up and I’d like to run it by you for some help.  I’m not deeply versed in personal lines so reaching out to…

COI Question

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 19, 2020 QUESTION We had a contractor do some work for us. I neglected to request a COI prior to the job. (I know I know ). There was no issue. Happy with the work. I just want a COI…

Motorcycle Question

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 21, 2020 QUESTION This question came up and I was wondering what your thoughts were. Where the companies are charging different rates for motorcycles and there are different date first licensed on bikes…etc If my customer only had a auto…

CARVANA

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 21, 2020 QUESTION Got a Carvana question for you. Our insured is buying a vehicle from Carvana and getting new plates. They are telling our agency that section K5 on the RTA (Policy Change Date) must be completed. We are…

Ceded MA Auto – Waiver of Subrogation

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 22, 2020 QUESTION We continue to run into an issue where our ceded auto carrier will not provide a waiver of subrogation.  Do you know if ceded carriers can refuse to add this endorsement in MA?  Any alternative suggestions for…

Travel Trailer

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 24, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that works for a business and is allowed to use one of the business vehicles for her own personal use.   This client just purchased a 20’ travel trailer but needs an insurance stamp…

Dealer Plate

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 28, 2020 QUESTION I just picked up a high net worth client.  As I was doing my review the client mentioned that he has almost 50 high end and exotic cars.  They are titled to him, but not registered or…

RV for Commercial Use

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 29, 2020 QUESTION We have a commercial real estate client that is buying an RV to use for the real estate business. They are going to set it up as a mobile office, so the RV will be wrapped advertising…

New Vehicle Purchase/Loan Pay Off

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 30, 2020 QUESTION One of my account managers has a situation.  I know we have provided the correct info but just wanted to run by you… We have a client who is purchasing a vehicle through private sale.  The SELLER…

Cancellations

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 5, 2020 QUESTION I need your help, I have an insured that got cancelled and then reinstated with the finance company. The carrier once they received the reinstatement decided to not reinstate due to poor payment history and claims. My…

Driving Records

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 13, 2020 QUESTION I insure a business looking to add an employee as a driver, but the employee’s personal insurance agent refuses to give him a print out of his own driving record.  Is there something you can share with…

Vehicle in name of a Trust

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 7, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured who is requesting to transfer their auto title to a trust? Is that possible, and if so, how do we go about doing that?

GAP Insurance

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 11, 2020 QUESTION I’m thinking of leasing a new Ford.  The dealership told me that Gap insurance was mandatory and they would include it in the lease payments since  “Gap is included to protect Cab East LLC the leasing wing…

Scooters

This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 11, 2020 QUESTION Hope you’re staying safe & healthy during these difficult days. I have an insured that is purchasing a Scooter 49CC’s, maximum speed 30.  I do not believe it can be registered as a M/C; therefore we cannot…