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…
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…
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…
2020 Big ‘I’ Virtual Legislative Conference – Let’s ALL Register Today!
MAIA is urging ALL members to register for the Big “I” Virtual Legislative Conference May 12-15, 2020. It’s free, it’s important, and the more registrants, the stronger the message to our lawmakers that these issues are important! Each day at 2:00 p.m., you can tune in for a 45-minute session and hear from insurance legislators,…
FFCRA & CARES Act: Resources for Independent Agents
FFCRA & CARES Act: Resources for Independent Agents The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act open up many new avenues of assistance to help prevent more workers from losing their jobs and small businesses from going under. These resources will help you understand and benefit from…
SD.2888 and Other Proposed Legislation to Cover COVID-19 BI Claims
SD.2888 and Other Proposed Legislation to Cover COVID-19 BI Claims As the legislative and regulatory landscape continues to shift day by day, MAIA and our national association, The Big “I,” are working hard to ensure that independent agents are well represented. Many of you have reached out with questions about the highly publicized bills being…
Yes, the Governor Deemed Insurance an Essential Business – No, That Does Not Mean Your Agency Must Stay Open
Yes, the Governor Deemed Insurance an Essential Business – No, That Does Not Mean Your Agency Must Stay Open In our March 23rd Special Bulletin, we reported Governor Baker’s decision to include “insurance services” among the list of “essential” businesses that are exempt from his mandatory shutdown order. This announcement generated many questions from members,…
Gov. Baker Files Coronavirus Response Bills
Gov. Baker Files Coronavirus Response Bills MA Gov. Charlie Baker has filed a suite of legislation related to the COVID-19 crisis. Most relevant to independent agencies, S.2598 would eliminate the waiting period for unemployment benefits (currently one-week) paid to workers impacted by COVID-19.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act – H.R. 6201
Families First Coronavirus Response Act – H.R. 6201 We want to call your attention to a piece of pending legislation — Families First Coronavirus Response Act, (H.R. 6201) — which will have implications to employers of fewer than 500 employees, so it will be very relevant to most MAIA member agencies.
Updates on MAIA’s Legislative Priorities for 2020
Updates on MAIA’s Legislative Priorities for 2020 When’s the last time you visited the Massachusetts State House? 6th grade field trip? Not to worry. MAIA President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis and MAIA’s advocacy team are pretty well known under the golden dome on Beacon Hill. Nick recently discussed MAIA’s legislative priorities with state legislators at…
Massachusetts Breaks InsurPac Record!
Massachusetts Breaks InsurPac Record! THANK YOU, Massachusetts, for once again showing the nation how it’s done! The 2019 InsurPac figures are in, and our little state was one of the first two states to EVER top six figures ($111,293) in total contributions! MA took the Presidents Cup for highest contributions from past and current state…
Year-End Brings 3 More Federal Wins for Independent Agents!
Year-End Brings 3 More Federal Wins for Independent Agents! 2019 was a banner legislative year for independent agents, largely thanks to the federal advocacy team of our national association, the Big “I.” The year started with the huge win giving independent agencies access to significant tax relief, and ended with a trifecta of longtime priorities…
Give to InsurPac by December 31st
Give to InsurPac by December 31st As one of the most respected non-partisan industry PACs in the country, InsurPac-funding gives our Big “I” lobbyists in DC the credibility and power to influence legislative and policy matters on behalf of independent insurance agents. InsurPac gives every MAIA member a voice, and we ask every MAIA member…
Victory – No More Duplicative Anti-Arson Forms
Victory – No More Duplicative Anti-Arson Forms Dear Members: I am pleased to report a significant win for our Association and the independent agents, carriers, and consumers of the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) has removed the requirement to complete a supplemental (and duplicative) anti-arson form when applying for fire insurance. (Read DOI…
MAIA President Testifies in Support of Compulsory Auto Insurance Bills S.368/H.118
MAIA President Testifies in Support of Compulsory Auto Insurance Bills S.368/H.118 Last week, MAIA President & CEO Nick Fyntrilakis testified at the State House on our members’ behalf, requesting support for the increased compulsory auto insurance limits in Bills S.368 and H.118. These bills propose increasing the compulsory bodily injury insurance limit for injury or…
Reminder: PFML Deadlines Are Fast Approaching
Reminder: PFML Deadlines Are Fast Approaching Time flies! MA employers have just a few weeks to meet their responsibilities under the new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law. The effective start date for required MA PFML payroll contributions is October 1, 2019. And MA employers must notify their workforce about the benefits and protections…
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