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…