WC News: WCRIB Implements Test Audit Program

WC News: WCRIB Implements Test Audit Program  The WCRIBMA’s Governing Committee has approved implementation of a Test Audit Program to be rolled out in January 2019. Circular Letter No. 2337 outlines the program in greater detail.

Commercial Auto – Unregistered Vehicle

Commercial Auto – Unregistered Vehicle   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 19, 2018 Commercial Auto – is there a reduction or exclusion of coverage if a vehicle is unregistered (registration expired)? I don’t think there is, I can’t find any reference in the policy…

Florida/Massachusetts

Florida/Massachusetts   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 23, 2018

Take Advantage of Big “I” Trusted Choice Tools & Services

Take Advantage of Big “I” Trusted Choice Tools & Services Trusted Choice is the national brand strategy for independent insurance agents – designed to amplify the marketing and highlight the value that independent insurance agents bring to consumers. 

Coverage Date/Stamp Date

Coverage Date/Stamp Date   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 26, 2018

Registry-Focused Round-up at The Big Event 2018

Registry-Focused Round-up at The Big Event 2018 The Big Event 2018 has a number of registry and auto-focused sessions based on our members most frequently asked questions taking place on Saturday, October 27th. MAIA is happy to have the RMV team, including Registrar Deveney, along with MAIA’s in-house expert, Kathy Cormier on the speaking roster.…

RMV: eServices Claims History Walk Through

RMV: eServices Claims History Walk Through There has been some confusion with respect to the viewing of claims in the eServices Portal, mainly with claims which have been reversed by the Board of Appeals.  Due to the confusion, the Merit Rating Bureau has sent the attached document which walks agents through the process.

RMV: New Special Plate – Habitat and Heritage

RMV: New Special Plate – Habitat and Heritage The Habitat and Heritage plate is a new two-year passenger special (PAS) plate. 

Claim Issue

Claim Issue   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 30, 2018

WAHVE – The Case for Unretirement

WAHVE – The Case for Unretirement Since 2000, the number of people aged 65 and over who continue to remain employed has increased steadily. A large number of these professionals have gone through what economists call “unretirement,” the term for taking the employment U-turn from retired to back to work. For instance, a 2017 survey…

Gaudette Insurance Agency Gives Back with New England Pride

Gaudette Insurance Agency Gives Back with New England Pride The New England Patriots may not have won Super Bowl LII, but thanks to the Gaudette Insurance Agency, Inc., Northbridge Food Pantry still scored a notable touchdown! During this past football season’s playoffs, the Gaudette Insurance staff were given the option to represent their New England…

Different Limits of Coverage Same Policy

Different Limits of Coverage Same Policy   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on July 30, 2018

Listing HHMs

Listing HHMs   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 02, 2018

Turning Away Clients

Turning Away Clients   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 06, 2018

E&O: Documentation!

E&O: Documentation! 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.   

Symbol 1

Symbol 1   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 02, 2018

Temporary Plates

Temporary Plates   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 06, 2018

CAR & MAIP Question

CAR & MAIP Question   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 06, 2018

Big “I” to Host Free Tax Reform Webinar

Big “I” to Host Free Tax Reform Webinar Following a new tax reform legislation signed by President Trump, new federal tax regulations are expected to impact your business. Find out how during a free webinar hosted by the Big “I.” The webinar will provide a brief introduction to the tax law and its impact on C-corps,…

dolly.com

dolly.com   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 09, 2018

Enforcement of USDOT Number Requirement

Enforcement of USDOT Number Requirement The Mass. RMV has issued a Law Enforcement Training Update with respect to the enforcement of the New USDOT Number Requirement, which took effect on September 1, 2018. 

Commercial Plate Required

Commercial Plate Required   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 09, 2018

Fees

Fees   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 10, 2018

Offices Closing Early for Labor Day Weekend

Offices Closing Early for Labor Day Weekend Our offices will be closing early Friday, August 31 at 2 p.m. for Labor Day Weekend.  We will re-open Tuesday, September 4th during our business hours.

Farm Plate

Farm Plate   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 10, 2018

Umbrella Policy

Umbrella Policy   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on August 10, 2018

Joe Leahy Installed as Chairman of The Big “I”

Joe Leahy Installed as Chairman of The Big “I” National independent insurance agency leadership converged in downtown Springfield, MA at the annual Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference last week.  The conference included the installation of Joe Leahy of Leahy and Brown Insurance + Reality as Chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.…

YAC Night Out at Smith’s Billiards

YAC Night Out at Smith’s Billiards Following the first night of The Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference on Thursday, August 23, the Massachusetts Young Agents Committee hosted a Night Out at Smith’s Billiards in Springfield for fellow YAC members from across the country. Attendees were greeted with great food, craft brews, live music, games, and…

3rd. Party Sub-Trans

3rd. Party Sub-Trans   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 06, 2018

Taking Nominations for Young Agent of the Year 2018

Taking Nominations for Young Agent of the Year 2018 The Young Agent Committee of Massachusetts is awarding one young agent with the Young Agent of the Year Award at The Big Event’s Young Agents Kick-Off Reception on Thursday night from 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm. Candidates should be active participants in MAIA/YAC events, be a…

Dealer Plate Usage

Dealer Plate Usage   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 06, 2018

Cancelling an Auto Policy

Cancelling an Auto Policy   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 17, 2018

CAR News – Recent Bulletins

CAR News – Recent Bulletins Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) recently released the following Bulletins:

Out-of-State Permit Holder

Out-of-State Permit Holder   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on April 27, 2018

2017-2018 Legislative Session Report

2017-2018 Legislative Session Report   The 2017-2018 MA legislative session officially wrapped up on July 31st.  

Commercial Lettering on Personal Truck

Commercial Lettering on Personal Truck   QUESTION This question was answered based upon current rules, regulations & statutes in effect on May 01, 2018

Reminder: More Vehicles Subject to US DOT Numbers – Effective September 1, 2018

Reminder: More Vehicles Subject to US DOT Numbers – Effective September 1, 2018 There has been a change to the Massachusetts State Markings Regulation 540 CMR 2:22 (regulation text below) that will take effect on September 1, 2018 for all commercial motor vehicles that weigh 10,001 lbs. or more used in Intrastate commerce. 

In Memory of Ernie Bates

In Memory of Ernie Bates Long-time member of MAIA, Ernest “Ernie” Bates, passed away June 11, 2018. Ernie was the owner and founder of Bates-Fullam Insurance Agency in Springfield. He served the insurance industry through volunteerism as a member of MAIA’s Board of Directors and as Past President of the Hampden County Insurance Agency Association. Some…

Tech Talk: It’s all about price ….really??

Tech Talk: It’s all about price ….really?? By Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, ARM, CRM, LIA, CRIS, CPIW  – VP of Technical Affairs, MAIA  

MPIUA Announces Revisions to Dwelling and HO Deductible Rules (Rule 406)

MPIUA Announces Revisions to Dwelling and HO Deductible Rules (Rule 406) The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriters Association (MPIUA) has recently received approval from the Mass. Division of Insurance (DOI) to implement revisions to the Homeowners Deductible Rule and Dwelling Deductible Rule (both Rule 406). The revision is effective September 1, 2018 and replaces the current…