Video: Success Stories from Trusted Choice.com Advantage Agencies
“It’s the one bill I get every month that I’m happy to pay, because I know I’m making money off of it!” That’s what one agent said about his TrustedChoice.com Advantage subscription. MAIA’s digital ad campaign is going strong, promoting independent agents to MA insurance buyers, and pointing them to TrustedChoice.com to find a local…
MAIA Staff Retirement Announcement: Sheron Gagnon
Please join us in congratulating Sheron Gagnon on her upcoming retirement from MAIA! Sheron has been a valuable member of our staff for over 36 years. She has helped a countless number of members throughout her tenure with MAIA. She has also managed the trade fair at our annual Big Event Conference and Trade Fair. …
Senior Hours Extended Through March
Dedicated Wednesday appointment hours for customers 75 years of age or older have been extended through March. These appointments will be available to all customers 75 years of age or older.
ATLAS Issue with Mismatched Territory Codes Now Resolved
The MA Private Passenger Automobile Statistical Plan incorporated new territory codes for New Jersey (997) and Pennsylvania (998) effective 1/1/2021. When the ATLAS database was updated with the new codes, the system was inadvertently changing incident locations stored as Other (999) to Pennsylvania (998), particularly on Claims and Out-of-State Incidents. The system error has now…
Special Bulletin: MAIA’s Fair & Accurate Quotes Bill Becomes Law!
We are happy to announce that key language from “An Act Relative to Fair and Accurate Motor Vehicle Insurance Quotes”, was incorporated into the Economic Development Bill that was signed yesterday by Governor Baker. MAIA proposed the Fair and Accurate Quotes Bill after fielding complaints from members who were losing business to direct writers due…
Temporary Licenses and IDs Extended to 60 Days
Effective January 14th, temporary licenses (all classes) and ID cards printed on secure card stock will be valid for 60 days. They were previously valid for 30 days. Temporary licenses and ID cards issued prior to January 14th will still only be valid for their original 30-day period.
Online Learner’s Permit Exams Available in All ATS Languages
Beginning January 14th, online Class D and Class M Learner’s Permit Exams will be available in ALL of the languages that are available through the Automated Testing Station (ATS). Customers will be able to choose any of the following languages when taking an exam online.
Please Fill Out Cover Sheets Completely When Doing Registry Drops!
The Registry has asked us to remind our members that cover sheets must be filled out completely for individual and commercial transactions brought to Registration Drop Off Centers. They have noticed a trend where agents/runners/dealers are skipping some sections on the cover sheets, and then the clerk does not have what they need to finish…
Massachusetts One of Top 3 State Contributors to InsurPac
MAIA extends a huge thank you to all from Massachusetts who participated in the 2020 InsurPac fundraiser. The Bay State contributed $73,817, exceeding our goal AND putting us among the Top 3 state contributors in the country! MA Young Agents also hit their InsurPac goal. After tallying the receipts and closing the books, the InsurPac…
Claim or Revalidate Your Free ACORD Forms License
A little over a year ago, the Big “I” and ACORD worked out an arrangement that allows member agencies (including MAIA members) with an annual group gross P&C revenue under $50 million to obtain a complimentary license to use ACORD Forms through their agency management system. (Big “I” members under $1 million in annual group…
Finally! MAIA’s Fair & Accurate Quotes Bill Is Set to Become Law
MAIA President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis (center) testifying on the Fair & Accurate Quotes Bill at the Massachusetts State House in 2019. MAIA’s persistence pays off! Bill H.4643, An Act Relative to Fair and Accurate Motor Vehicle Insurance Quotes, has jumped all but the final hurdle before it becomes law. It was incorporated into the…
A Word from Nick Fyntrilakis About QuickClicks!
UPDATE 1/13/2021: On 1/11/2021, we emailed the login instructions for a free, one-year QuickClicks subscription to the primary agency contact person on record (typically the owner/principal) for every MAIA member agency. If you are the primary contact but did not receive the email, please contact Heather Kramer at [email protected]. MAIA is proud to launch a…
Be Alert for E&O Policy Implications Related to COVID-19
As the leading provider of Agents’ E&O coverage in Massachusetts, MAIA’s Number One Agency offers coverage from top carriers including Utica National. We’d like to share a recent E&O Risk Management Alert from Utica, which addresses some of the important policy implications arising from COVID-19, including the Communicable Disease Exclusion recently developed by ISO. Will…
New DOI Bulletins Urge Carriers to Remain Flexible & Proactive as COVID-19 Crisis Continues
Reiterating the expectations laid out in previous Bulletins, the MA Division of Insurance (DOI) on December 29, 2020, issued Bulletins 2020-30 and 2020-33, stating that insurance carriers and self-insurance groups should continue to be flexible in issuing and administering insurance. “Exploring all appropriate flexibility in arrangements and timing of payments will help protect policyholders while…
Commercial Credentials (CDLs & CLPs) and Medical Certificates Extension
The expiration dates for Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs), and CDL Medical Certificates have all been further extended to February 28, 2021. Customer records will be updated to reflect the new expiration date.
Commercial Registration Renewal Mailing Delays
The RMV is processing commercial registration renewals on the same day they are received. However, due to mailing delays with the U.S Postal Service, it is taking longer than usual for customers to receive their new registrations and decals in the mail. Once these renewals have been processed, ATLAS will show that they have been…
RMV Adds First-Time Drivers Webpage
The RMV has created a new webpage for first-time drivers: www.mass.gov/guides/first-time-driver-start-here
New COVID-19 Order Restricts Workplace Capacity to 25%, Indoor Gatherings to 10 People
On December 22nd, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 59, effective December 26th, which places new restrictions on the allowed capacity for gatherings and events in public spaces and workplaces. Most workplace sectors, including Office Spaces, are limited to 25% of capacity. Gatherings in private homes and public spaces are limited to 10 persons indoors…
WCRIBMA’s COVID-19-Related Changes to the Manual Rules Extended through 2021
The Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIBMA) has issued Circular Letter No. 2378, dated December 22, 2020, and titled Revisions to Manual Rules Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic-Extension of Expiration Date. The purpose of this filing is to extend the December 31, 2020 expiration date to December 31, 2021 for rules that were established…
Senior Wednesday Hours Extended Through January at Many RMV Locations
Dedicated Wednesday appointment hours for customers 75 years of age or older will continue through January at the 17 RMV locations listed below. Senior hours vary by location, but most are 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. These appointments will be available to all customers 75 years of age or older so that they can transact…
Clearing up Six Misconceptions About E&O Coverage
As the top provider of Agents’ E&O coverage in Massachusetts, MAIA’s Number One Agency offers coverage from top carriers including Utica National. Today we’re sharing a helpful E&O Risk Management Alert from Utica, which debunks six common E&O misconceptions that they hear all too often from agencies like yours. We all know what happens when…
Customers Asked to Return to Resolve Issues
Starting on Monday, December 14, customers who have not received an email or phone call from the RMV within 10 business days of dropping off their transaction are instructed to return to the Registration Drop Off Center, as there may be issues with the transaction or paperwork that need to be resolved. If the customer…
Greenfield & Pittsfield Increase Commercial Drop Off Days
As of Monday, December 14, the Greenfield and Pittsfield Registration Drop Off Centers have increased the times they are available for commercial drop offs. Their new drop off days and hours are: Greenfield, 9:00am-4:00pm, Mon-Fri; and Pittsfield, 9:00am-10:30am Mon-Fri. However, drop offs will not be accepted during dedicated Senior Hours on Wednesdays through December; check…
Online Registration Renewal and Duplicate Changes
Effective immediately, the RMV has implemented the following changes: Form 2290 for Vehicles Over 55,000 Pounds: Customers renewing vehicles over 55,000 pounds now have the option to upload Form 2290 (Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return) during the online renewal. A dedicated RMV team will review the form and send the customer a link to…
7D Pre-Registration Inspection Policy Reversal
Effective December 1, 2020, established companies with currently registered 7D vehicles DO NOT need to submit new 7D vehicles for inspection and approval by Vehicle Safety and Compliance Services (VSCS) prior to registration. VSCS approval is only required for newly formed 7D companies with no prior 7D vehicle registrations. Once the initial pre-registration inspection is…
RMV Adds Link for Requesting Help with myRMV Logins
The myRMV website uses a two-factor authentication system to protect customer data. This means that when a customer tries to log in, the system sends a security code via email or text. The customer then enters the code into myRMV to verify their identity and complete the login. If they are unable to access the…
Big Win for Members! CAR Agrees to MAIA’s Recommendation for Agent Commission Rates
We are proud to report that the CAR Governing Committee on Friday 12/4 voted unanimously to recommend that the current agent commission rate be “locked in” for foreseeable future rate filings. This is a significant change that will ensure that agent commissions will increase when premiums increase. MAIA had formally requested this change after our…
Trailer, Camper, Antique & Vanity Plate Renewals Delayed
The RMV has been delayed in processing renewals for trailer, camper, antique, and vanity plates that expired on November 30th. They expect that all renewal requests received by mail will be renewed by the end of the day Friday, December 4th, and ATLAS will show that they have been renewed. However, customers will not receive…
Registration Drop Off Central Distribution Process Change
Plates and/or registrations ordered through Registration Drop Off Centers are centrally distributed and mailed from the new Lowell Fulfillment Center once the transaction has been completed and payment has been received. Effective December 7th, this now includes customers with out-of-state and out-of-country numbers. Previously plates/registrations were only mailed to customers with Massachusetts state-assigned numbers. The…
MA Business Interruption Bill S.2655 Defeated
On November 24, the MA Senate Financial Services Committee took action on Bill S.2655, An Act Concerning Business Interruption Insurance, stating that the bill “ought NOT to pass.”
Positive CE Changes as MA Joins NAIC Reciprocity Program
Prometric and the DOI have announced that, as of December 1, 2020, Massachusetts is a member state in the NAIC Reciprocity Program, which brings some positive changes for Continuing Education (CE) earners in MA! Going forward, fifty minutes now equals one credit hour (previously it was 60 minutes); and the minimum approvable course is now…
Opting for Private MA PFML? It’s Time to Apply for Your Annual Exemption
Under the MA Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) program, employers can either contribute to the state’s PFML plan, or provide equal or better benefits through a private PFML plan. (As you may know, members have access to an excellent private PFML policy through MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency.) If your agency is opting for a…
RMV Procedures for Voluntary License Surrenders
Customers can surrender licenses for medical or for non-medical reasons. Non-Medical Surrenders Non-medical surrenders can only be processed in RMV service centers. They are processed as Massachusetts ID Card issuance transactions and the customer will need to present a completed Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit or ID Card Application, present lawful presence documentation if required, and…
Trailer, Camper, Antique, and Vanity Plate Renewals
Trailer, camper, antique, and vanity plates expire each year on November 30th. Due to a system issue, any new trailer, camper, antique, or vanity plates registered with a temporary plate from now until 12/1 cannot be renewed online. Customers should be urged to either wait until 12/1 to register OR renew the plates at the…
Wednesdays at 17 RMV Locations Are for Customers Age 75+ to Renew Expiring Licenses ONLY
Massachusetts law requires drivers age 75 or older to renew their licenses in person. To provide a safer space for older adults to conduct these transactions, the RMV has designated Wednesdays throughout the months of November and December for these customers only. The following service centers will be dedicated to processing license renewals for older…
Please Share This Article About Independent Agency Careers!
MAIA’s multi-pronged effort to help members address the talent gap includes the distribution of op-ed articles that promote independent agencies as a desirable career choice. Our most recent article, “Looking for a Stable Career in Uncertain Times? Try a Local Independent Insurance Agency,” was released to media outlets across MA, with the hope that it will…
We’ve Got a Hearty Appetite for Workers’ Comp
Do your business clients need Workers’ Comp coverage? MAIA’s Number One Agency would love to find you a seat at the table! We work with multiple carriers, so we’ve got a large appetite range, and we welcome the opportunity to look at your pool business, too! New business with prior experience is accepted, no prior coverage…