Massagent Now Podcast

Kathy Cormier joined Ashleigh McDonald to talk more Big Event! Saturday will be full of registry information including two new registry-related classes this year ... SR-22 & IID - What are they? Who Needs them? Is there coverage? and Salvage Vehicle Process.

Plus, we're excited to have Registrar Erin Deveney speak about on Registry of Motor Vehicles & the ATLAS Program - the new web-based system rolling out with Real ID.

Melissa Murphy and Robin Federici talk "Big Event 2017" in this episode of The Big Event Mini-Series. In particular, Robin has included 2 hours this year on Liquor Liability Exposures - Personal and Commercial Lines. Think you know liquor exposures? There are some hidden elements that most agents just don't realize. PLUS...hear Robin's favorite part of The Big Event.

Thanks to Plymouth Rock Assurance for sponsoring the The Big Event Podcast Mini-Series.

We can't imagine The Big Event without Marshall Katz on the teaching roster. He sat down with Ashleigh and Hannah from MAIA to talk a little bit about the classes he's teaching this year (including a little series on Flood) and what he values about The Big Event.

Thanks to Plymouth Rock Assurance for sponsoring The Big Event Podcast Mini-Series.

Ashleigh and Hannah, who work in MAIA's marketing department are relative newcomers to The Big Event. To kick off the mini-series, Ashleigh asks Hannah what she can expect during her first trip to the premier conference and trade show for Mass. Independent Agents.

Thanks Plymouth Rock Assurance for sponsoring The Big Event Podcast mini-series!

Inspired by the Pocket and Summary Guides recently published by ACT,the Mass Agent Now Podcast talks to two of the individuals who helped create these agent resources. Welcome Ron Berg, Executive Director of the Agents Council on Technology (ACT) at IIABA and Steve Aronson, local Mass Independent Agent, President & CEO of Aronson Insurance in Needham, who serves as the Security Issues Chair on ACT. Steve and Ron were kind enough to answer the following questions in short time we had together. 1. We know it’s a threat to big box retailers and national banks...but is cyber security a real threat to independent insurance agencies - most of which are very small businesses? What are "hackers" looking for and are they finding it in small businesses? 2. Can you tell me briefly what ACT is and what the these resource guides have been designed for? 4. If you feel like your agency is in compliance with existing regulations like the MA laws, HIPPA, and Gramm-Leach-Bliley...is that enough? 5. For those that haven’t given this much thought yet….Where should agents start when getting their data security house in order? (general education, strong passwords, internet policing, virus protection software, eliminating personal devices?) Steve and Ron both share the most helpful resource they think that is listed in the guides. Resources Discussed in this episode:

ACT: Agents Council for Technology ACT's Planning & Security Section Pocket Guide Summary Guide Mintz-Levin - State Data Security Breach Notification Laws ID Federation / Signon Once (Password Protection)

In this episode of MassAgent Now Irene discusses how the Homeowners Policy responds to content when the insured is moving. Things to consider when "stuff" is in transit - are you moving it or is it in the care of movers? Who is legally responsible? And what are the limitations of the contract with the moving company?

with Irene Morrill, CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS, CPIW, LIA, ARM, MAIA's Vice President of Technical Affairs

Solar panels certainly aren't new but are fast becoming a regular fixtures on roofs, fields and highway median strips in Massachusetts. In this episode of Massagent Now, Irene looks at things you should be thinking about when it comes to solar panels and the homeowners policy.

Questions like:

Who owns the panels? Who is legally responsible for them? Who has the insurable interest?

Are they considered part of the dwelling, an other structure or personal property?

What is the value? and is there enough coverage in parts A, B or C?

How is the homeowner being compensated, if at all? Could this be considered a business, requiring proper endorsements?

If your home owners are having panels installed it's time to look at the contract, call the carrier and ask these questions.

On 9/17/14 licensing as we know it changed! MAIA's training department still takes many questions from agents regarding the changes in Mass. Producer Licensing...how to track CE credits, which courses qualify, license expiration dates an more. We asked Heather to take a few minutes to answer these common questions. During her podcast, Heather refers to several screen shots - you can view the entire presentation here or watch the video podcast on youtube. A few notes about prometric.com - Remember the password changes every three months. You can always set up a new account. If you see your license number in red, you'll want to call us or the division. It means there is a problem. At this time the words "compliance date" on their site is not correct. Always use "renewal date". Please remember that noncompliance can result in fines and/or license suspension. It pays to be aware of your license status and requirements.

Contact MAIA's Training Department - Heather Kramer, Debbie White or Carol Nelson at 800.972.9312.

In the last of our series with the Registrar, Erin Deveney and Donna McKenna, VP of Communications at MAIA answer some questions agents will want to hear answers to regarding EVR. What is the EVR program? Who can participate? What are the steps an agent takes to get on board? What are the recent changes to the EVR program? What are the transactions available to EVR participants? How is the integrity of the program kept in tact? How does MAIA assist with keeping the integrity of the program intact?

In the 3rd installment of this 4-part series, Registrar Deveney talks about key items agents will be interested in regarding the RMV Modernization project.

• New 'My RMV Account' which will provide customers with license and registration info, real time status update, the ability to manage personal information, and more.
• Eye test screenings will be able to be sent on-line from eye care professionals.
• Case management system that will allow customer interactions to be managed and tracked internally.
• Additional EVR transactions including duplicate title, registration reinstatements, plate swaps, registration amend, and duplicate registration plate return receipt. .........and more

Please contact RMVM Communications Lead Susan Butler with inquiries about this process at susan.butler@state.ma.us.