Registry News: New October Passenger Plate Mask

Registry News: New October Passenger Plate Mask Effective November 2018, a new plate mask will be used for October passenger plates. The new plate mask will consist of two numbers, followed by one letter, followed by three numbers.  The last number will be 0 (zero).  The letters I, O, Q, and U will NOT be used. …

How to Play Insurmania Live! (Official Instructions)

How to Play Insurmania Live! (Official Instructions) We’re Looking For Insurmania Contestants. Insurmania is the live trivia game show we’re playing during The Big Event at The Safety Zone’s Game Night Reception. Join our host, Young Agent Co-Chair, Paul Ostrander for this one of a kind competition. The winning team will walk away with a…

When are CON Plates Pro-Rated

When are CON Plates Pro-Rated   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 2, 2018 I hope you can answer this question for us.  When does the RMV start pro-rating their plates for Commercial Trucks? Thanks.

RMV: New Guidelines for Fleet Registration Renewals

RMV: New Guidelines for Fleet Registration Renewals The end of the year is peak season for registration renewals, and the Mass. Registry has released important new guidelines to help ensure that your Fleet Renewal transactions will be processed on time. The guidelines include detailed submission procedures, mailing and drop-off times, and reminders for making sure…

Berry Insurance Serves Up Smiles With Kindness Rocks

Berry Insurance Serves Up Smiles With Kindness Rocks In an effort to help spread compassion and positivity throughout the Franklin community, Berry Insurance took to cultivating their own special kind-of garden.

Date to Add Vehicle to Policy

Date to Add Vehicle to Policy   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 3, 2018 What is the correct way to add a vehicle to a policy:  effective on the date that the RMV1 is stamped & coverage is bound or the date the vehicle…

Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency Renews Five Star Agency Designation

Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency Renews Five Star Agency Designation The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA) is proud to announce that Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency, Inc. of Beverly, MA, has renewed their Five Star Agency Designation. They have been a Five Star Agency since 2003 and continue to demonstrate excellence in the five imperatives…

MVU-26 Family Exemption Tax Form

MVU-26 Family Exemption Tax Form   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 We have a client who was gifted an auto from his stepfather. He would like to use the Family Transfer form. We have told him that we are not sure step…

Business Name Change

Business Name Change   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 1, 2018 We have a client it is a business account, and they are going to change the name and have already applied for a new FiD #and they do have it.  Is there a…

Out-of-State Title

Out-of-State Title   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 1, 2018 If an Insured moves from Texas to Massachusetts, I know they would need a new plate, but would they also need a new title if they own the car? Thanks!

E&O: Accountability: A Missing Piece in Many Agencies

E&O: Accountability: A Missing Piece in Many Agencies Utica National Insurance Group brings monthly loss control articles to MAIA members directly from the risk management team. Read the article below or download this month’s article in PDF format.   

Lien holder and Binders

Lien holder and Binders   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on October 1, 2018 We have had a couple of situations with local Credit Unions that our client’s are seeking an auto loan and the Credit Union is requiring not only a Binder but also all…

Dual-Rear-Wheel Pickup Trucks May Not Need Commercial Plates

Dual-Rear-Wheel Pickup Trucks May Not Need Commercial Plates A change in the law has eliminated the requirement that all vehicles with five or more wheels on the ground have commercial plates. This is good news for the customer who owns a pickup truck with dual rear wheels strictly for personal use — they can now get passenger plates…

The Big Event 2018 – Program eBook

The Big Event 2018 – Program eBook     Your One Stop Shop for Everything at The Big Event 2018!

New Hours of Service at Quincy RMV Headquarters

New Hours of Service at Quincy RMV Headquarters Effective Monday, October 15, 2018, the business hours at the Quincy RMV Headquarters will change as follows: Service Counter: Open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Previously open until 5:00 p.m.) IRP Transactions: Available until 3:00 p.m. (Previously available until 4:00 p.m.)

3rd. Party Total Loss Settlement

3rd. Party Total Loss Settlement   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 21, 2018 I’m coming to you for your insurance knowledge expertise to help assist me with an insurance settlement issue. Our insured vehicle was hit by another vehicle, no collision coverage (couldn’t get…

MAIA’s Number One Agency to Administer RLI Program for NH Association

MAIA’s Number One Agency to Administer RLI Program for NH Association You can now enjoy one-stop shopping for MA and NH RLI Personal Umbrella and Home Business Insurance!  MAIA’s Number One Insurance Agency is proud to announce a partnership with the NHAIA to administer the association’s RLI book of business in New Hampshire. Effective October…

DOC as Excess

DOC as Excess   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 18, 2018 I have a question regarding Drive Other Car coverage. One of our insureds has both a personal auto policy and is a named individual on a DOC endorsement under a business auto policy.…

Time Frame to Add Drivers

Time Frame to Add Drivers   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 27, 2018 Is there a time frame for adding a newly licensed operator to a MA Ins policy? It used to be like 30 days or something like that… Thank you for your…

Diminished Value

Diminished Value   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 27, 2018 Not sure if you are my go to or not. Have a client arguing that he wants to be compensated for diminished value to his vehicle due to an accident. Can you tell me…

Session Highlight: Business Perpetuation Planning

Session Highlight: Business Perpetuation Planning  

HMIC Revises Liquor Liability Renewal Application

HMIC Revises Liquor Liability Renewal Application  

BAP and Trailer

BAP and Trailer   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 One of our insureds just formed a new corporation, they bought a trailer in that corporate name. There are not and will not be any power units registered under this corporate name anytime…

Commercial Vehicle Markings

Commercial Vehicle Markings   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 28, 2018 We’re in the process of taking on a new account for an oil recovery business, he just called me and told me there’s a filing for MA that needs to be done by…

Reminder: Proof of Residency Documents

Reminder: Proof of Residency Documents A reminder that the address printed on a document presented for proof of residency must always match the customer’s current address which will be printed on the issued credential.

REAL ID Update: Documents Not Acceptable for REAL ID

REAL ID Update: Documents Not Acceptable for REAL ID The Department of Homeland Security has advised that the Re-Entry Permit (I-327) and Refugee Travel Document (I-571) are NOT acceptable for the issuance of a REAL ID:

Changes to Surplus Lines Tax Collection

Changes to Surplus Lines Tax Collection Recent Bill Changes Collection of Surplus Lines Tax in MA

Commercial Auto “What if”

Commercial Auto “What if”   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 30, 2018 Can you please assist with the following questions? I have a customer who asks a lot of what ifs. Is there coverage under the commercial auto policy that would cover if an…

FBInsure Renews Five Star Agency Designation!

FBInsure Renews Five Star Agency Designation! The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA), is proud to announce that FBinsure of Attleboro, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fall River, Freetown, Middleboro, New Bedford, Rehoboth, and Taunton, MA has renewed their Five Star Agency Designation.  They have been a Five Star Agency since 2006 and continue to demonstrate excellence in…

Personal or Commercial – Delivery

Personal or Commercial – Delivery   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 30, 2018 I have a customer w/ a van registered to her personally. She uses it to deliver carpet. Personal auto underwriters don’t want it and according to AIB Rule 51C it doesn’t…

Arbella’s Gourmet Luncheon

Arbella’s Gourmet Luncheon  

Car Fire Coverage Question

Car Fire Coverage Question   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 11, 2018 We are having a discussion in our office about the following situation. If an insured has a friend’s car in their garage and it catches on fire and damages the car and…

US DOT Number

US DOT Number   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 13, 2018 Question for you. With the new DOT rules we were told today that if an individual purchases a pickup truck, in this particular case a Dodge Ram 2500, and the vehicle weighs over…

Tech Talk: Bailment and Physical Damage Coverage Under the Auto Policy

Tech Talk: Bailment and Physical Damage Coverage Under the Auto Policy By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW  – VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA  

Registry News: Service Center Relocation

Registry News: Service Center Relocation

Out-of-State Vehicle Purchase

Out-of-State Vehicle Purchase   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 17, 2018 I have a Massachusetts insured who is looking to transfer plates to a used vehicle he is purchasing from a private party in New Hampshire.  There is no title. Would the insured be…

Binding Authority Commercial Auto

Binding Authority Commercial Auto   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 17, 2018 I hope all is well with you! We are hope, hope, hoping you can help us with a binding/coverage question we have on a commercial auto policy here in Mass. It appears…

Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions

Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions MAIA wanted to take a moment to recognize and acknowledge those people affected by the gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on September 13th, especially those who live and work in the Merrimack Valley.  We know that many of our members and carrier partners have been working hard to assist…

Camper or Trailer Plate

Camper or Trailer Plate   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on September 17, 2018 I tried calling the Registry, sent them an email  today.  On 8/27/18:  our runner went down to the registry with the transfer information, RMV-1 , all documents in hand,  the person @…

RMV: ATLAS Release 2 Coming Soon

RMV: ATLAS Release 2 Coming Soon The following communication was released this morning by the RMV to business partners concerning the the upcoming Release 2 of ATLAS.