Military and MAP
Military and MAP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 12, 2019 I have a question that our office is scratching their heads about today! Safety told me that if a person goes away into the Military that they are still a household member and need…
Elliot Whittier Insurance Group Renews Five Star Agency Designation
Elliot Whittier Insurance Group Renews Five Star Agency Designation The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA), is proud to announce that Elliot Whittier Insurance of Danvers and Winthrop has renewed their Five Star Agency Designation. They have been a Five Star Agency since 2015 and continue to demonstrate excellence in the five imperatives associated with…
Berkshire Hathaway’s New THREE Policy: An Inferior Product?
Berkshire Hathaway’s New THREE Policy: An Inferior Product? In this IA Magazine article, author Chris Boggs of the Big “I” Virtual University calls Berkshire Hathaway’s recently announced THREE policy “a dangerous attempt to simplify multiple insurance contracts for small business owners.”
State of Emergency and Auto
State of Emergency and Auto QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 15, 2019 Ready for this one? I have an insured who is obviously retired and has nothing better to do with his time! He called today asking that, since the President has declared a…
MA FAIR Plan Updates Producers’ Web Options
MA FAIR Plan Updates Producers’ Web Options Recent updates to the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA), a.k.a. the MA FAIR Plan Producers Portal have given agency producers some convenient new online functions, including the ability to:
GrubHub
GrubHub QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 15, 2019 We have a client who wants to drive for GrubHub. He is an individual with a private passenger vehicle, commercial plates. Commercial Lines says it is not a commercial risk as it is an individual with…
Trailer
Trailer QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on February 15, 2019 I have a customer who purchased a 2018 Jayco trailer. She told me that she uses her mom’s SUV to pull the Jayco since she has a Dodge Charger. Do you know if there was a…
IA Magazine Wants to Interview Rock-Star Young Agents
IA Magazine Wants to Interview Rock-Star Young Agents The annual “Next Gen” issue of IA Magazine is coming out in July, and the IA editors are looking for young agents with great stories to tell. If you are (or know) a Millennial or Gen Z agent who’s rocking it, send their name and contact info…
PUP
PUP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 22, 2019 Good morning! When an insured uses a commercial vehicle for personal use and has a personal umbrella, how to we make sure they have coverage without gaps? Do we need to include both the M0051S Use…
Declining to Write With MAIP
Declining to Write With MAIP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 17, 2019 I was told by someone that works for another agency that they do not write insurance with MAIP. If none of their carriers will offer coverage, they turn the person away. Can…
CAR News – Recent Bulletins – February 2019
CAR News – Recent Bulletins – February 2019 Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) recently released the following Bulletins:
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – February 2019
Updated Company Auto Insurance Filings – February 2019
Garaging Change
Garaging Change QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 24, 2019 I understand if you change your address the garaging gets changed for a personal plate. I know the commercial accounts they fax into the IRS the address change also. But does it also change for…
Number One’s WC Coverage for Your Auto Service Customers
Number One’s WC Coverage for Your Auto Service Customers Number One’s Workers’ Comp (WC) Program is one of our most popular “niche” markets and we assist many members with a variety of business types. We are excited to share that our WC markets can provide coverage for auto service customers, including certain repair services, tire retailers,…
Rental as a Substitute Vehicle
Rental as a Substitute Vehicle QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 24, 2019 We all know the “gaps” in how our policy will follow us while we are renting a car while on vacation. Does your own policy follow you any “differently” if you are…
Tech Talk: Yes …We Do Have a Few Laws in This State
Tech Talk: Yes …We Do Have a Few Laws in This State By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW — VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA I still get these questions, so I guess it’s time to “resurrect” and discuss some older-but-still-current information on today’s topic: Can a bank DEMAND that my client carry “guaranteed replacement…
Bobcat
Bobcat QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 18, 2019 Can a Bobcat be registered?
Out-of-State Title
Out-of-State Title QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 22, 2019 I have a title from Florida that shows the owners as the husband OR the wife The husband is deceased Do I still have to fill out the back of the title with the wife…
Registering a Vehicle for a Company
Registering a Vehicle for a Company QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 22, 2019 I wanted to reach out to just inquire if what I believe is correct with regards to registering a company vehicle. I have a client whom has his vehicle registered under…
Best Practices for Insurance Agency Exit & Succession
Best Practices for Insurance Agency Exit & Succession InsurBanc’s Robert Pettinicchi was recently interviewed in an article for Property Casualty 360. The article discusses how to get prepared for the future and start formulating a plan for succession. Whether you are moving on from your insurance agency, going into retirement, or going into another business,…
Number One’s Lawyers’ Professional Liability Program is on FIRE!
Number One’s Lawyers’ Professional Liability Program is on FIRE! We are only halfway through February and MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency has written almost 50% of our New Business goal for the Lawyers’ Professional Liability Insurance (LPLI) program! Our long-term partnership with Westport Insurance Corp and profitable LPLI book of business has given our mutual…
Aftermarket Lift Kit
Aftermarket Lift Kit QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 22, 2019 My insured is purchasing a 2006 Jeep. It has a 4” aftermarket Lift Kit. Are there any rules at MASS DOT that make this illegal to register in MA? Thanks!
An RLI PUP Might be the Solution for the New Short-Term Rental Law
An RLI PUP Might be the Solution for the New Short-Term Rental Law We know that the new short-term rental law in MA — formally known as the “Act Regulating and Insuring Short-Term Rentals” — has generated many questions from our members. Many have inquired if an RLI Stand-Alone Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP) is a…
Ross, Webber and Grinnell Insurance Uplifts Spirits With Paper Bag Lunches
Ross, Webber and Grinnell Insurance Uplifts Spirits With Paper Bag Lunches The Ross, Webber and Grinnell Agency doesn’t only seek to fill the bellies of their local community, but to also fill their spirits. The staff was able to lend a helping hand through a program offered at Providence Ministries in Holyoke, Kate’s Kitchen.
Commercial Weight Cap for Registration
Commercial Weight Cap for Registration QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 24, 2019 Is there a weight cap where it would have to go to a CON plate in MA?
Record Retention
Record Retention QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 23, 2018 Do you know what the rules/laws are regarding keeping old files. In January 2017, we started to scan all of our documents. We still have files from 2016 back to 2012 in some cases. I…
African-American History in The Insurance Business
African-American History in The Insurance Business February’s IA magazine presents Memphis agency owner Fred L. Davis as the subject of the Declaration of Independents. Davis, who began his agency in 1967, was the first African-American insurance agent in six states. He tells a fascinating and often painful story of building a career in a…
Backhoe Registration
Backhoe Registration QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 08, 2018 I have a customer inquiring on how to get a backhoe on the road. What kind of plate would it need and would it go on a comm’l auto policy? Let me know.
Personal Umbrella/Business Use Auto
Personal Umbrella/Business Use Auto QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 26, 2018 Does my personal umbrella follow me as a driver of my business car when I am using it for personal use ??? I believe the umbrella is intended to follow ME not just…
All-in-One Small Business Insurance Product “THREE” from Berkshire Hathaway Heightens Commercial Competition
All-in-One Small Business Insurance Product “THREE” from Berkshire Hathaway Heightens Commercial Competition Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group has announced THREE, a “game-changing, comprehensive insurance product for small business.” In a press release, Berkshire Hathaway explained that THREE provides coverage for workers comp, multiple liability coverages (general liability, errors and omissions, and cyber), property, and auto in a three-page, plain-English insurance policy. Berkshire Hathaway will be providing THREE direct…
Employee Use of Personal Vehicle
Employee Use of Personal Vehicle QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 27, 2018 I was hoping you could assist with a question from one of my health center clients. The health center is asking one of their employees (with a personal auto policy) to drive…
MAIA Welcomes 7 New Members
MAIA Welcomes 7 New Members MAIA is delighted to announce that four new Massachusetts agencies have joined as full members, and three organizations as associate members, since January 1, 2019. We look forward to a great year ahead.
Operator Exclusion
Operator Exclusion QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 27, 2018 I just read the Tech Talk on Operator Exclusions. This is great !! THANK YOU for putting it together . This has always confused me!! Our company does not allow us to use the exclusion…
Our Voices Were Heard: Over 60 Legislators Co-Sponsored Our Bill
Our Voices Were Heard: Over 60 Legislators Co-Sponsored Our Bill Thank you and congratulations to everyone who took prompt action last week when MAIA sent out the call to action! Your efforts urging legislators to cosponsor HD1011 / SD919, “An Act Relative to Fair and Accurate Motor Vehicle Insurance Quotes,” yielded a terrific response —…
Garaging on BAP
Garaging on BAP QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on November 28, 2018 I have a client who has two Auto policies…A Massachusetts Automobile policy and an Out of State Automobile policy. Their home office is in Hudson, NH (They moved from Dracut, MA two years ago)…
Tips for Protecting Your Agency from Flood-Related E&O Claims
Tips for Protecting Your Agency from Flood-Related E&O Claims Recent storms and flooding events have caused an uptick in E&O claims against agencies, as desperate insureds try to recoup flood losses by taking action against their insurance agents. Utica National Insurance Group recently published valuable tips about what you can do to help protect your…
Auto Policy and Life Partners
Auto Policy and Life Partners QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 03, 2019 We have an insured who is wondering if he and his life partner can own a car…his partner has a vehicle and he would like to own it with him so that…
Loss of Use on a Rental
Loss of Use on a Rental QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on January 07, 2019 Question is does loss of use on rental vehicles covered? Basically this is you rent a car and involved in accident and the rental had to be taken out of commission…