Block That Claim: E&O and Other Agency Coverage
When the going gets tough, you need a team that’s tougher. MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency is the leading seller of Agent’s E&O in MA, but we go above and beyond just that. We offer important coverages that aren’t always available elsewhere, such as admitted stand-alone Cyber and EPLI, Agency BOP, and Commercial Umbrella. Number…
RMV Registration Changes: IRP Expirations, Reinstatements & Renewals
Beginning immediately, the RMV is implementing the following registration-related changes: 1) IRP expiration date has been extended to September 30th; 2) Select insurance agents can process registration reinstatements; and 3) The option to renew in-person has been removed from the RMV-2 form.
Good News! RMV Allowing B2B Online Payments
The RMV has added an option that allows eligible B2B customers to make online payments. This new option will simplify the B2B process and make the pickup of your work seamless. When your transaction has been processed, the RMV will send you an email with a link to submit your payment for all transactions using…
COVID-19 HR Resources & Weekly Facebook Live Q&A Sessions
Need help tailoring your agency to the new realities brought about by the pandemic? Every Thursday at 1:00 p.m., you can bring your HR questions to a Facebook Live Q&A session hosted by Big “I” Hires with specialists from Affinity HR Group! The Big “I” has also compiled videos on current HR issues, best practices…
RMV Supervised Driving Receipt: Not a Learner’s Permit, But Close
Due to COVID, the MA RMV is allowing 16-year-olds to take the Learner’s Permit Exam online. Although these teens cannot get a Learner’s Permit until they visit an RMV location to present ID and get their photo taken, the RMV can issue a Supervised Driving Receipt. As outlined last week in the Governor’s Executive Order,…
CDL Medical Certificate Waiver Through September 30
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has waived the requirement for valid CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards) for customers with certificates that expired on March 1, 2020 or later. These customers have until September 30th to obtain a new certificate; if they do not, their CDL will be downgraded on October 1st.
New Executive Order Modifies Additional RMV Transactions
Governor Baker’s office has released another executive order addressing RMV issues with the goal of limiting in-person transactions. Signed June 12, 2020, this order affects drivers with learner’s permits, people seeking a REAL ID, and those who need to transfer a registration from one vehicle to another. Please read the full EXECUTIVE ORDER to see…
A Plan for Future Pandemics: National Insurance Leaders Discuss the BCPP
On June 16, The Hill newspaper published an op-ed article titled, “A Plan for Future Pandemics.” Bob Rusbuldt, president and CEO of the IIABA (Big “I”) was one of the writers. The article discusses the merits of the Business Continuity Protection Program (BCPP), “a new customer-focused proposal for a federal program tailored specifically to help…
Sample Message to Promote LPLI to Your Lawyer Clients
Do you have auto or homeowners clients who also happen to be lawyers? MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency makes it easy to offer an LPLI indication these prospects. Through Number One, you have access to Lawyers’ Professional Liability Insurance (LPLI) from Westport Insurance Corp., a member of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. We’ve drafted a sample…
B2B Agents/Runners Should Expect 3-4-Day Turnaround Time
Now that insurance agents and runners are back to work, the RMV B2B locations are being inundated. The turnaround time is currently 3 to 4 days. Agents/runners will receive a call when their completed bundles are ready for pickup. Some B2B locations are sending bundles to other locations for processing. If you notice in ATLAS…
RMV Service Center Openings & Changes – June 2020
Over the next few weeks, the following RMV Service Centers will either open for certain transactions or change the transactions they are processing.
Revised Class D and M Road Test Information Sheet and Road Test Application
The Class D and M Road Test Information Sheet (RDT101_0620) and the Class D or M Road Test Application (RDT103_0620) have been revised due to road test changes being implemented during the COVID State of Emergency. The revised versions have been posted to the RMV website. Download the Class D or M Road Test Application…
Online Learner’s Permits Exams for Class D & M
Starting June 10th, eligible individuals will have the opportunity to complete the Class D (passenger) or Class M (motorcycle) Learner’s Permit Exams online. To assist them, the RMV has created a job aid (downloadable instruction sheet) with details on what they need to do to successfully schedule and complete an Online Learner’s Permit Exam.
Online Renewals for Standard Driver’s Licenses & ID Cards
As of June 4th, the RMV is allowing standard Driver’s Licenses & ID Cards to be renewed using photos that were taken when customers were under 21 years old (as long as the photo was taken less than 14 years ago). The stopper that prevented this has been removed from ATLAS. This change makes more…
25% Capacity Limitations for Essential Businesses
Questions remain about how to interpret the mandatory requirement that all Massachusetts businesses, even those deemed essential, limit their office to “25% occupancy.” According to the state’s written safety standards, the 25% can be based on EITHER the maximum occupancy limits set for your building/space per code – OR – your business’ typical occupancy as…
RMV Opens Another B2B Center at Boston-Haymarket
As of June 8, the MA RMV service center at Boston (Haymarket) is open for B2B transactions only. This is in addition to the B2B centers at Milford, Wilmington, Attleboro, and Chicopee. You may drop off transactions/bundles at these locations, but will not be allowed to wait for pick-up. New IRP transactions are still being…
Producer License Extensions & Online Renewals
The MA Division of Insurance (DOI) has ruled that if your Massachusetts insurance producer license was in good standing when the state of emergency was declared on 3/10/20, it will not expire until 90 days after the state of emergency is lifted (whenever that may be; the Governor has yet to announce it). However, licenses…
Offer Home Business Insurance to Teachers and Tutors
The coronavirus pandemic has created a new educational landscape, and independent home-based teachers/tutors have a large role to play in helping students and families keep up with learning demands. Whether teaching in person or virtually, an independent teacher who owns their own business should have coverage for property and liability exposures. Offer them an RLI…
Member Survey Indicates Massachusetts Agents Expecting Declines in Commission Revenue
MAIA recently conducted a member survey to learn how agencies are operating during COVID-19, whether they had received stimulus money, if they were anticipating layoffs or drops in commission revenue, and so on. We wanted to know more about how independent agents have been faring, and how MAIA’s assistance can be most effective. We’re grateful…
Agents Beware – COVID-19 Brings Out the Worst in Some Direct Writers
A MAIA member whose agency is on the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system alerted us to a disturbing trend that’s become more common during the COVID-19 crisis. At least one of the online direct writers (one of the BIG GUY companies) has been selling auto policies, but can’t get new plates for the customers. Their…
Certificates of Registration Mailing Delay
Due to a shortage of 2022 embedded decal stock, mailings are delayed for Certificates of Registration that were renewed online, by phone, or by mail beginning on 5/22/20. You can reassure your customers that all registrations expiring March through June have been extended until July 31, and law enforcement has been notified, so they should…
Extended Service Hours & Online Learner’s Permit Tests
The RMV has begun implementing some service adjustments to help meet increasing customer demands. As of June 1st, all 10 RMV Service Centers that are open to the general public are extending their hours of operation. In addition, the RMV is working on a solution to offer online Class D and M learner’s permit exams…
Registry News: Further Extensions on Most Credentials, Passenger Plate Registrations, Inspection Stickers
The RMV is implementing further extensions for expiring motor vehicle inspection stickers, passenger plate registrations, professional credentials, and driver’ licenses and learner’s permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CDLs / CLPs). While the RMV has previously announced extensions for most credentials, passenger plate registrations, and inspection stickers expired or expiring in March,…
MAIA Submits Testimony Opposing MA S.2655 Business Interruption Bill
MAIA’s advocacy team is working hard to oppose S.2655, the Massachusetts Business Interruption bill, which seeks to legislatively apply BI coverage retroactively to claims based on COVID-19. On May 21, MAIA submitted testimony outlining the reasons for our opposition, and recommending a more equitable, federally funded alternative. We asked our national association, the Big “I,”…
Registry News: Copies of Crash Reports Can Only Be Requested Online
Effective immediately, copies of crash reports can only be requested online. They are no longer available by mail or in person. The RMV website has been updated to indicate this and the RMV Request for Copy of Crash Report Form has been removed from the web. If your clients need to submit a crash report,…
Strategies for Agencies to Map Out a Successful Road to Recovery: On-Demand Webinars
Innovation. Growth. Not typically two words that your agency is thinking about these days in the midst of a global pandemic. But recently, four of our fellow Big “I” state associations (New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas) joined together to host a one-day, virtual summit to provide agencies with strategies to map out a…
Flood Stealing Your Time? Never Fear, Your Team is Here!
F-L-O-O-D. That little five-letter word so many agents and CSRs dread. I don’t have time to dedicate to my flood book! It’s so hard to keep up with the changes and rules! I cringe when a client says they need flood insurance! If that sounds like you, it’s time to call the Flood Concierge Team…
Registry News: Essential vs. Non-Essential Transactions During Pandemic
The RMV continues to act out of an abundance of caution throughout the duration of Governor Baker’s State of Emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To adhere to the Governor’s plan to safely reopen Massachusetts, the only transactions that will be processed at Service Centers are those that the RMV considers “essential.” Effective…
Registry News: Attleboro B2B Service Center Opening May 26
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is opening an additional dedicated B2B Center at the Attleboro RMV next Tuesday, May 26, 2020. This is in addition to the existing Milford, Wilmington, and Chicopee dedicated B2B Service Centers. New IRP transactions will not be processed at the Attleboro B2B but will still be conducted at the Milford and Wilmington Service…
Reopening: Template for Creating Written Control Plan
All businesses in the state of MA (including those deemed essential, such as insurance agencies) are required to develop a written control plan outlining how the workplace will comply with the mandatory safety standards for operation in the COVID-19 reopening period. The state has created a template that may be filled out to meet that…
DOI Calls for Carrier Flexibility in the Administration of Vacancy Clauses
The Division of Insurance (DOI) has issued Bulletin 2020-17, dated May 18, 2020, which acknowledges the fact that many MA businesses not deemed essential were required to close, and advising all property and casualty carriers in MA that they “should be looking for all ways to be flexible in counting days of vacancy to provide…
We Know Flood Insurance & We Can Help You!
Warning! Heavy rains are on the radar, especially this time of year! Anywhere it rains – it can flood. Are your insureds ready and protected with this important coverage? Do you offer flood to every insured? Why do we ask? Consider these statistics:
Registry News: RMV is Defining Its New Normal & Your Feedback Can Help
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is currently looking at all of its workflow processes to determine what the “new normal” will look like as Massachusetts moves toward reopening. MAIA spoke with the RMV and learned that there will be both short- and long-term changes, but these are still in the discussion stage. Rest…
Voluntary Revocation of Operating Authority: Q&A from FMCSA
Many companies that operate apportioned, plated tractor trailers registered under IRP have suspended operations, and may be considering voluntary revocation of their operating authority. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received numerous questions about this, and agents may be getting questions about the related insurance ramifications. The FMCSA has created a Q&A sheet,…
Reopening Guidelines & Safety Standards for Massachusetts
This week, Governor Baker released a phased approach for reopening the Massachusetts economy. As ‘essential’ businesses, insurance agencies have been allowed to remain open as long as they adhere to Massachusetts’ mandatory safety standards for workplaces, including social distancing measures. Nevertheless, many agencies have chosen to close their physical premises and limit customer contact. MAIA…
Tech Talk: Will This COVID-19 Good Deed Hurt Your Customer?
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs
Registry News: Springfield B2B Service Moving to Chicopee
Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19 (coronavirus) and in an effort to continue protecting RMV staff, customers, and business partners, the RMV is moving B2B service for Western Massachusetts to the Chicopee RMV Service Center, effective Monday, May 18. In following ‘social-distancing’ practices, the Chicopee RMV will exclusively perform drop-off B2B transactions / bundles only …
Registry News: Registration Renewals & Reactivations for Secondary Vehicles
CORRECTION The original RMV handout on Renewing and Reactivating Registrations had an incorrect mailing zip code. If you are mailing a Registration and Title Application (RTA) to the RMV, the correct address is: Registry of Motor VehiclesP.O. Box 55895Boston, MA 02205-5895The correct information is reflected in this revised handout. Registration renewals and reactivations for secondary vehicles such as…
Share Your Opinions with Governor’s Reopening Advisory Board
Last week, Governor Charlie Baker announced the creation of a Reopening Advisory Board to help his administration develop strategies to reopen the economy in phases, based on health and safety metrics. They have posted an online form for those who want to share input with the Advisory Board. Your comments will be reviewed and taken into…
DOI Allows Temporary Insurance Producer Licenses with No Exam
With insurance producer license exams suspended due to COVID-19, some eligible applicants were unable to obtain a license in Massachusetts. In response, the MA Division of Insurance (DOI) has authorized the issuance of temporary individual insurance producer licenses without requiring an exam. The temporary policy is effective immediately and will extend until after the State…