North Adams RMV Opening for Registration Drop-Offs; Pittsfield & Haymarket Changing Hours
The following RMV Service Centers are either opening for certain transactions or changing their hours:
Tech Talk – Golf Carts and Campgrounds: Is There HO Coverage?
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Big “I” COVID-19 Survey Reveals Agencies’ Areas of Greatest Need
Earlier this month, the Big “I” conducted a national survey of leadership agencies (including MAIA members) to gauge the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on their day-to-day operations. Top findings from the survey include:
Gov. Baker Extends RMV Deadlines Until Emergency is Lifted
Certain RMV extensions, which had been set to expire on August 12 according to Gov. Baker’s executive order, have been extended through the end of the state of emergency. The extensions apply to the REAL ID fee waiver, registration transfer grace period, and changes to the 6-hour observation requirements for drivers with a junior operator…
RMV Plate Lottery Now Open
We just got word that the 2020 RMV Plate Lottery begins today, Wednesday August 12, 2020. Customers can enter the plate lottery online at Mass.Gov/RMV using the Online Service Center. The deadline to enter the lottery is September 6, 2020. This year, the lottery is online only; there is no paper application form.
RMV Updates Registration Drop Off Form & Info Sheet
As of August 10th, the Registration Drop Off Center Form and the Registration Drop Off Center Information Sheet have both been revised to make it more clear that customers will receive an email to make payment online, and that transactions will not be ready for pickup until payment is confirmed. Individual customers no longer have…
Could Your Agency Protection Use Some Backup?
Has your agency’s insurance coverage kept pace with how you operate today? Is your old coverage still adequate? MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency exists for one reason – to protect and serve independent insurance agents and brokers. In addition to Agents’ E&O, we can help you with other important coverages like Cyber and EPLI, Agency…
School Bus & School Pupil Plates Only Issued at Certain RMV Locations
Effective Monday, August 10th, both school bus plates and school pupil plates will only be available in the following RMV service centers for initial issuance:
RMV OKs In-Person License/ID Card Renewal Appointments
Effective immediately, service center appointments can be scheduled for license/ID card renewals (all classes) for credentials with September expirations. This new appointment type will be available in all RMV service centers that are open for general or license-related appointments.
Webinar: COVID-19 E&O Best Practices
Big “I” Professional Liability Risk Management is offering a timely free webinar, COVID-19: E&O Best Practices for Rapidly Changing Times. Offered at 2:00 pm 8/5 and 8/7, the webinar will include reinforcements of topics that have been covered in prior sessions, as well as new issues and insights into the ever-changing landscape independent agents are…
WCRIBMA Revises Rules on COVID-19 Paid Furloughed Employees
The MA DOI has approved the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (WCRIBMA) revisions to the manual rules (Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation & Employers Liability Insurance Manual and Massachusetts Statistical Manual) related to COVID-19 pandemic.
RMV “Registration Drop Off Centers” (formerly B2Bs) Open in Braintree 8/3, Other Locations 8/10
Starting Monday, August 3rd, a new Registration Drop Off Center (previously known as a B2B) will pilot in the Braintree Service Center. Registration Drop Off Centers will then open in the following additional service center locations beginning Monday, August 10th:
RMV Openings & Changes on 8/3 & 8/10 – Revere, Lawrence, Brockton
Over the next two weeks, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change their hours.
RMV Now Scheduling Appointments for CDL Payment and Issuance
As of July 27th, RMV customers who passed a commercial road test and did not prepay for their CDL will be able to schedule appointments for license payment and issuance. This new appointment type is available at any open RMV service center, except those that are B2B only.
WCRIBMA Issues Revisions to Manual Rules Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
On July 10, 2020, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (“DOI”) approved the WCRIBMA’s attached Filing Memorandum and Exhibits for revisions to the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation & Employers Liability Insurance Manual and Massachusetts Statistical Manual rules related to COVID-19 Pandemic to become effective for new, renewal and outstanding policies effective on and after 12:01 a.m. on…
Plate Cancellation Error? Please Don’t Fax the Correction Form!
If an agent cancels a customer’s license plate in error, they should complete and email a Plate Cancellation Error Correction form to the RMV to fix the problem. It is important that you DO NOT FAX these forms to the RMV Business Support office. This department is working remotely due to COVID-19, so no one…
Braintree RMV Now Processing B2B Drop-Offs
The RMV has opened a dedicated B2B center at its Braintree location for insurance companies/agents, auto dealerships, and runners to drop off multiple vehicle registrations and other bulk transactions for processing. Like the existing B2B centers in Attleboro, Boston (Haymarket), Chicopee, Haverhill, Milford, and Wilmington, the Braintree B2B center is for dropping-off transactions and bundles…
RMV Asks Police Not to Cite High-Risk Customers for Expired Inspection Stickers
Inspection stickers that expired in March, April, and May were extended to July 31st. Inspection stickers that expired in June were not extended, and further extensions are not currently planned. The RMV is asking law enforcement to use their discretion, and to NOT cite customers who are over age 75, or those who are at…
Tech Talk – So … I Have a Question: Agents Ask About Volunteers Driving & Tree Limbs Falling
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
RMV Needs Your Help on School Bus/Student Pupil Plates (7D)
This is the busy season for registering School Bus and Student Pupil (7D) plates, and COVID-19 has made it even crazier at the RMV. If your agency writes for bus companies or school districts, the RMV has a couple of requests to help them stock the most school bus plates at the RMV service center…
New Cover Sheet Required When Dropping off B2B Bundles
Agents and runners take note! The RMV has created B2B Drop Off Cover Sheets, which must now be completed and included with your bundle any time you are dropping off transactions for processing. Each B2B service center location has its own drop-off cover sheet: Attleboro, Boston, Braintree, Chicopee, Haverhill, Milford, and Wilmington.
RMV Service Center Openings and Changes on 7/20
On July 20th, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change their hours.
MA Reopening Phase 3: Office Capacity Now 50%
Phase 3 Reopening (effective July 6, 2020) has increased the capacity limits in office space to 50% of occupancy limits. Businesses may exceed this maximum occupancy level based on demonstrated need.
MAIA’s Big Event 2020, Take 2… We’re Going Virtual!
For the first time in many decades, MAIA’s Big Event will not be taking place live in Boston. We’re super-sad about this, but with the current restrictions and future uncertainties about large gatherings, we just couldn’t adequately plan for a live event. Instead, start getting excited for “MAIA’s Big Event 2020, Take 2”! This two-day…
Outdated Cash Management Practices Could Be Hurting Your Agency
Does your agency still deposit checks manually? Is your cash-management system up to date? Are you aware of the latest cyber protections? Old habits and outdated office procedures could be hurting your agency. In this recent article from IA Magazine, InsurBanc’s Patricia Smith discusses three ways to improve efficiency and employee productivity in your banking,…
DOI Bulletin: How P&C Insurers Should Handle Claims from the Norwood, MA Weather Event
The severe weather event in the Norwood, MA area on June 28 affected many homeowners who were already facing hardships due to COVID-19. Recognizing this situation, the DOI issued Bulletin 2020-22, outlining procedures and expectations for MA property & casualty insurers with regard to expedited claims handling and underwriting associated with this weather event. If…
RMV Now Scheduling Road Tests at These Locations
Class D and M road tests are now being conducted at the following RMV Service Centers: Braintree Brockton Haverhill Leominster Milford Pittsfield Plymouth Springfield Taunton Watertown Wilmington.
New Online Duplicate Learner’s Permit Transaction
Effective Thursday, July 2nd, a new duplicate learner’s permit transaction will be available through the MA RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/RMV. Customers can use this transaction to pay for and print a duplicate permit. This will prevent the need for customers to visit a service center before their road test if they have lost…
MAIA Registry Procedures Manual – A Must-Have for All Who Work with the RMV
COVID-19 is changing everything at the MA RMV, and it’s tough to keep up. MAIA’s Registry Procedures Manual is a must-have for anyone who works with the Registry. The keyword-searchable, online Manual puts “everything RMV” at your fingertips. It pays for itself in time saved for you AND your customers! MAIA is currently updating the…
Motorcycle Inspection Stickers Will Not Expire Until July 30
A further extension has been implemented for motorcycle inspection stickers. All motorcycle inspection stickers will now expire on July 31, 2020, consistent with the extension for all commercial and non-commercial inspection stickers. They had previously been extended only to June 30th.
Big “I” Launches New Pricing on IdealTraits Recruitment Platform
As we move toward reopening, many agencies will be looking to bring on new staff. One of the many hiring tools available to MAIA/Big “I” members is IdealTraits, a robust recruiting platform developed specifically to help insurance agencies identify, assess, and hire top performing sales and service staff. Effective today (July 1), the Big “I”…
IRP (Apportioned) Plates Expiration Extended by 3 Months
Good news! In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all currently active Massachusetts International Registration Plan (IRP) registrations that are due to expire on June 30, 2020 are now valid through September 30, 2020.
Temporary Change to JOL 6 Hours Driving School Observation Requirement
Instead of the 6 hours observing another student driver that is normally required, individuals with a junior operator’s license (JOL) can complete an additional 6 hours of supervised driving with a parent, guardian, or designee.
7-Day Law for Registration Transfer Temporarily Extended to 21 Days
The grace period to register a new vehicle has been extended from 7 days to 21 calendar days from the date a customer loses possession of their previous vehicle.
CAR Approves Commercial Supplemental Application for Servicing Carriers & ERPs
Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) has approved the use of a supplemental application for Servicing Carriers to collect general risk information for all commercial risks (See CAR Bulletin #1103); and updated the Manual of Administrative Procedures to identify Servicing Carrier and Exclusive Representative Producer and responsibilities with regard to the supplemental application (See CAR Bulletin #1104). …
RMV Service Center Openings and Changes on 6/29
On June 29th, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change the transactions they are processing.
7D Vehicle Registration Requirements
Effective immediately, two changes have been made to the registration requirements for School Pupil Transport (7D) vehicles.