Changing a Garaging for Business
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 19, 2020 QUESTION When changing a garaging address for a business vehicle we are required to send in a form and the RMV-1 to the registry, is there a fee for that as well?
Announcing MAIA’s 2020 Award Winners
We are very pleased to announce the following deserving recipients of MAIA awards for 2020. The awards were presented on Friday, November 6th during MAIA’s Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the virtual Big Event. Distinguished Service Award: Raymond D. Gallant, John F. Koegel, and Michael PangioneThe awards were presented to these outgoing Members of…
Take the Big “I” 2020 Agency Universe Survey
The IIABA (Big “I”) is currently fielding the 2020 Agency Universe Study, “the most comprehensive and important survey of independent agents in the United States,” says President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt. All MAIA/Big “I” members are encouraged to participate. Those who do will receive a copy of the results, and will be entered in a…
UPDATE: New Process for Customer Printing Temporary Docs
MAIA issued a Special Bulletin on 11/2/2020 about the RMV’s new central distribution process for certain plates and registrations ordered through the Registration Drop Off Centers. This notice updates and clarifies that information.
UHaul Rental
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 23, 2020 QUESTION My insured rented a uhaul box truck (for personal use) an hit a telephone pole I am correct in thinking the personal policy would not respond as the truck is a commercial type vehicle not a private…
Duplicate Registration Fee Overrides
If a customer contacts the RMV, indicates they did not receive their registration in the mail, and requests a duplicate, the $25 duplicate fee will be overridden if:
Merit Rating for OOS Charge
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 23, 2020 QUESTION A little bird told me you’re our RMV contact now! Lucky you! I’m wondering if you can answer a question for me. I have a driver who was charged with reckless driving in December 2018. That charge…
Dealers Physical Damage
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 26, 2020 QUESTION I am hoping you can help me understand the coverage for Dealers Physical Damage. Limit of Insurance for Comprehensive and Collision – Is the limit based on what the dealer paid for the used cars that are…
TURO
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 27, 2020 QUESTION We have recently had a couple of clients inquiring where they can get auto insurance if they participate in Turo. It is a ridesharing & rental of your own personal auto. I know the Personal Auto Policy…
Commercial Credentials (CDLs & CLPs) Extended to December 31st
All commercial credentials (CDLs and CLPs) that expired or will expire between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 have been extended and will remain valid until December 31, 2020. CLP holders will not need to retake the general or endorsement knowledge tests if their permits originally expired during that time and have been extended.
Easing of Certain Annual Renewal Requirements for Retail Alcohol Licensees
Agents will want their liquor liability customers to know that, per Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Order No. 53, effective this Friday, November 6, at 12:01 a.m., all retail alcohol licensees must close their premises to the public by 9:30 p.m. In addition, licensees that remain closed to the public may automatically renew their liquor licenses for…
Commercial Drivers and SDIP
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 30, 2020 QUESTION An adjuster told me today that a driver involved and liable in an accident with a vehicle on a commercial policy is not surcharged, that it is not reported to the registry. Is this true?
Add a NEW Revenue Stream to your Agency – Private MA PFML
We are happy to announce that Number One has teamed up with ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company to bring Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), a state-mandated benefit, into the hands of independent agents.
Big Event Starts Thursday! Last Minute Tips!!!
Login Instructions Have Been Sent! If you are registered for the Big Event, you should have received an email with your login instructions this week. If you DID NOT receive the email, PLEASE LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY! Contact Sheron Gagnon or Heather Kramer with the Name, Agency, and Email Address you registered under. Each login…
New Registration Drop Off Central Distribution Process
An RMV Update dated 11/6/2020 clarifies some of the information presented here.Please CLICK HERE for the updated information. Effective Monday, November 2nd, certain plates and/or registrations ordered through Registration Drop Off Centers will be centrally distributed and mailed from the new Lowell Fulfillment Center. Centrally distributed plates will now be sent from both Lowell and…
Watertown Road Tests Temporarily Moved to New Location
Until further notice, due to a facilities issue, road tests scheduled at the Watertown RMV will be temporarily held next to the mall at the Residence Inn by Marriott at 570 Arsenal Street, Watertown.
HHM or NOT and Garaging
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 24, 2020 QUESTION Hi Irene, good afternoon. For the first time I have been receiving requests from clients asking me to add a relative + second auto into their policies, placing garage of another city for the second auto (also…
Lienholder Code List Available on RMV Website
Agents can find an accurate list of lienholder codes on the RMV website, in the RMV Forms & Manuals section under Vehicle Registration Forms. The online list is updated regularly, and agents should use these codes when completing the Registration and Title Application (RTA) for any vehicle with a lienholder.
BAP – Listed Drivers
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2020 QUESTION I was hoping one of you might be able to shed some light on a question that came up from one of our clients. This particular insured of ours is insured on her company’s auto policy and…
Homebuyers Getting Flood Information on a New Level
Have you been on the popular home sales website Realtor.com® lately? Realtor.com is now showing the estimated flood risk on every property listing. That’s correct, EVERY property is in a flood zone. It just depends on the level of risk.
Skoolie Bus Converted to Motor Home
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that is thinking of purchasing what they call a “skoolie” it’s a school bus that is converted to a motorhome, it would have bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc. just like a regular motorhome. If…
Damage to Jeep Top
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 25, 2020 QUESTION I have a client that took their top off their jeep and it was laying on the ground and was damaged by lightening. Would that be covered under their auto policy? Thank you very much for your…
Another Trailer (Tis the season)
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 28, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured who has a personal auto policy, a Porsche and an Infinit, and he now has a 10,000 lb trailer that he uses for his boat. However, neither one of these vehicles will be…
New Process for Trailer & Commercial Vehicle Registration Renewals
Effective Monday, October 26th, due to the pandemic, all Commercial and Trailer registration renewals dropped off at a Registration Drop Off Center with Registration Renewal Applications (RMV-2s) will be sent to RMV Headquarters in Quincy for processing. These applications will be prioritized based on expiration date (rather than first in, first out) and, when completed,…
Bus Converted to Motor Home
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 28, 2020 QUESTION We have an insured who is buying this 2010 Ford 450 Van ( it is actually a bus) he is actually converting it into a driveable motor home. Our question is we are trying to at least…
Senior Hours Extended Through November & December
Dedicated Wednesday appointment hours for customers 75 years of age or older to renew their expired license or ID card have been extended through the end of the year. These appointments will be available to customers 75 years of age or older whose driver’s license or ID card expires in September, October, November, and December,…
Pending Cancellation/Stamping RTA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 24, 2020 QUESTION I am hoping you can help. We had previously been advised (not by you) that if we are asked to stamp registrations while a policy is pending cancellation for nonpayment or any other reason (commercial or personal),…
Don’t Let Your Clients’ Toy Story Become a Horror Story!
If you read Irene Morrill’s Tech Talk on the surge in e-bike, electric scooter, moped, and motor scooter ownership, you might be thinking about your clients who have such “toys” of their own. It’s fall now, and when the seasons change, the toys change. Outdoor activities are big this year, so your clients might be looking…
Tech Talk: The Sudden Surge in E-Bike, Electric Scooter, Moped, and Motor Scooter Ownership
By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs First …don’t forget our annual convention! MAIA’s Big Event 2020 Conference & Trade Fair is happening November 5th and 6th. There’s a new twist – it’s VIRTUAL! Take a look … some really great stuff you don’t want to miss!
Dates for Insurance/RTA
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 02, 2020 QUESTION Hope you’re doing well. Sometimes the longer I’m in insurance the less I know! Clarification please! Vehicle sale Date vs Date RTA stamped by Agent vs effective date of endorsement We stamp the RTA the date we…
Out-of-State Temporary Registrations
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 02, 2020 QUESTION I’ve recently had a couple of customers come in that had been using temporary plates for cars purchased outside of Massachusetts. Are they considered legal in ma? Are there any exclusions on ma auto policy that we…
Dump Truck – Personal Use
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION We have a customer who bought a dump truck for personal use between his two properties. My understanding is that because of the dump body he still needs commercial plates. Others say that has changed and he…
CDL Medical Certificate Waiver Extension
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an additional waiver for CDL Medical Certificates (DOT Medical Cards). This waiver extends the expiration date of CDL Medical Certificates as follows:
Newspaper Delivery
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION Is a vehicle (2003 Subaru Outback) that an insured uses to deliver newspapers eligible to be written on the Mass Personal Auto Policy? It is currently with Pilgrim Insurance through MAIP and they have issued a cancellation…
Replacement Plates
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 03, 2020 QUESTION I have an Insured who went to get his vehicle inspected and was rejected for his Green Plate . Inspection site told him to contact his Insurance Agent they would take care of it ….. I did…
Those TV Screens in the RMV? You Can Advertise on Them
MAIA has learned of a unique advertising opportunity that we want to pass along to our members. Motor Vehicle Network (MVN), the supplier of the news and information you see on the TV displays in RMV waiting rooms, has sponsorship opportunities available at some of its Massachusetts RMV locations. Their package includes ad creation, revisions,…
Snow Plowing & Plate Type
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION Quick question does my insured who has a private passenger auto policy need commercial normal plates on his truck if he plows?
3rd. Party Rental
This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2020 QUESTION If my insured was in a car accident and he doesn’t have rental can an insurance company who is at fault say they want to fix everything in order to give my insured a rental or can…
Reservation Alerts on MyRMV Profile
When customers make a service center reservation through their MyRMV profile online, an alert now displays at the top of their MyRMV profile. The alert states “You have an upcoming appointment,” and clicking on the link will give customers their appointment details. Note: The alert will not display if the reservation was made outside the…
RMV’s I-Pay-Tax-Program is Online Only
The I-Pay-Tax-Program is used to report someone who may be evading taxes by registering their vehicle in another state. Effective immediately, complaints can only be filed online at Mass.Gov/RMV. The I-Pay-Tax Complaint Form (REG121) is no longer used and has been removed from the website. If you have any printed copies, please recycle/destroy them. Learn…