Last, But Not Least: Learn from The Legends @ Gillette This August; RMV Debuts Improvements & Upgrades & CAR News

Legends Panel @ Gillette Stadium

The MAIA’s Young Agents Committee, along with Plymouth Rock Assurance, have organized a great event for young agents later this summer. Entitled “What Successful Agents are Doing Today & Tomorrow”, the event is focused on hearing from various speakers from all different facets of the insurance world and their opinions as to what successful agents are doing right now with regards to their careers and agencies.

The event kicks off on August 16th at 2:30 PM at Gillette Stadium and will feature the following panelists:

• Allan Egbert & Michael Albert of Ask Kodiak
• Glen Davis of Renaissance Alliance
• Ray Gallant of Gallant Insurance
• Ben Cavallo of C&S Insurance
• Steven Gilmore, Jr of ServiceMaster by Gilmore

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An After-Hours Event, sponsored by Service Master by Gilmore, will immediately follow the speaker series at Patriots Place. Please note: Space is limited to 100 attendees and RSVP is required. Interested individuals should RSVP ASAP to Hannah Daly at Hdaly@massagent.com. See you there!

Registry debuts new veterans page, new hours, bicycle safety & new certificate of registration design to help frustrated customers

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has announced four new changes and additions recently in its ongoing aim to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction across the Commonwealth.

A new veterans’ page

This summer the Registry launched a new page tailored specifically for both veterans and current military service members. The new site features information on the following services:

• applying for special license plates,
• obtaining a veteran designation for a driver’s license and
• special fee waivers for disabled veterans.

“Our administration is honored to support veterans and the brave men and women who have chosen to serve our Commonwealth and country,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Resources like these will help ensure they have access to the Registry services and information necessary to address their individual needs conveniently and efficiently.”

Massachusetts is home to nearly 380,000 veterans who deserve recognition for their selfless service to our country and the Commonwealth. To support our veterans and members of the military, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Registry of Motor Vehicles Division today launched a webpage dedicated to providing veterans with information about special services and privileges available to them under state law that honor their service.

“We are pleased to provide this enhanced Registry feature to ensure current and former military service members can easily find all Mass RMV information appropriate to their service so they can be aware and take advantage of the many options for recognition available to them,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “On behalf of all residents of the Commonwealth, we hope this gesture provides just one example of the appreciation we all have for those who make sacrifices to serve our country.”

The following is a screenshot of the new page.

New Hours

After analyzing data on the key time frames in which customers visit Registry offices to do business, the Registry has announced that effective July 3rd, all of the RMV’s operating hours across the Commonwealth have been standardized in order to enhance customer support and to provide more consistent delivery. The Registry identified that the majority of customers choose to conduct their business from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The new hours will provide a more consistent delivery of service and enhanced support for customers visiting Service Centers to complete registry transactions.

General Hours

• RMV General Business Hours will change to Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

RMV Suspension Hearings 

• Registry Suspension Hearings will be available for customers from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at RMV Service Centers in Boston, Braintree, Fall River, Lawrence, Springfield, Wilmington, and Worcester.
• The RMV Pittsfield Service Center will conduct Suspension Hearings on Wednesdays only, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The RMV South Yarmouth Service Center will conduct Suspension Hearings on Mondays and Tuesdays only, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Road Tests

• Road Tests will be scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Exceptions:

• The RMV Service Centers in Attleboro, Martha’s Vineyard and North Adams will be open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and will be closed daily from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• Please note: The Attleboro RMV Service Center’s new mid-day closure is a change from current operating hours.
• The RMV Service Centers in Natick and Nantucket will be open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and will be closed daily from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• The Haverhill Service Center will continue to be open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

RMV Bicycle Safety Update includes explanation of the “Dutch Reach”

Several new bicycle and motorist safety guidelines have been added to this year’s edition of the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual (Driver’s Manual). The additions are part of the Registry’s ongoing effort to promote greater road safety by both bicyclists and motorists.

As we continue to promote all modes of transportation in today’s world, the RMV is working hard to ensure that drivers and bicyclists can each get where they need to be safely,” Registrar Erin Deveney said.  “By adding new bicycle safety language to the Driver’s Manual, we aim to further clarify the responsibilities that bicyclists and motorists inherit when they travel on Massachusetts roads, making everyone more aware of how their actions impact travelers in their vicinity.”

The new content in the Driver’s Manual concerning the “Dutch Reach” method for drivers disembarking from vehicles explains the standard practice for opening a vehicle door in the Netherlands, a place widely considered to be a model for bicycle transportation.  By reaching to open the door of a parallel-parked car, a driver is asked to open the door with his or her hand which is furthest from the door. With this technique of reaching for the handle, the driver’s body is forced to begin turning to the left, making it easier for the driver to see bicyclists who may be in the blind spot of a motorist’s mirror.  From the text of the updated Driver’s Manual:

“Open vehicle doors pose a very serious threat to bicyclists. When opening a vehicle door, drivers and passengers are suggested to do the following:

1. Check your rear-view mirror.
2. Check your side-view mirror.
3. Open the door with your far hand, (the hand farther from the door).”

While the Dutch Reach method is a more effective way of checking for oncoming bicycle traffic, the updated Driver’s Manual still recommends that bicyclists should ride at least three feet out from parked cars to avoid doors if they can do so safely, both on streets with and without bike lanes.

As part of this effort, MassDOT has produced a video “…educating drivers how to exit a vehicle to prevent “dooring” cyclists:.

“According to the City of Boston’s 2012 Boston Cyclist Safety Report, the Boston Police Department responded to 202 bicycle collisions between 2009 and 2012 involving open car doors, informally referred to as “doorings,” and 123 (approximately 60 percent) of these required response from Boston Emergency Medical Services.  These types of collisions are also frequently known to damage the doors of the automobiles involved.”

The updated Driver’s Manual also outlines proper procedures for bicyclists and motorists travelling through intersections that contain bicycle boxes.

A Re-designed Certificate of Registration

Finally, the Registry has announced a new redesign of its Certificate of Registration form. The form is now available to RMV customers everywhere, on-line, at RMV Service Centers or via the Registry’s automated telephone system.  According to the RMV, the form now includes a drivers new motor vehicle plate decal that had previously been sent to consumers on a separate insert with the registration form.

The Registry continues to identify more convenient ways to better serve our customers,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin Deveney. “Customers did not always look for the decal on the insert with the registration form and were frustrated. The new form with the affixed plate decal will ensure that customers receive all required registration materials on one easy form.”

The redesigned form includes a space where the plate decal can be affixed directly to the bottom right corner. This will prevent the possibility of the decals getting lost during the mailing process or misplaced or inadvertently being overlooked by customers.  Instructions for customers on how to remove the decal and place it on the plate are printed next to the decal.

Customers will only receive the redesigned certificate through the mail after renewing online, by mail, or using the automated phone system.

Customers will still receive the current Certificate of Registration with a separate decal in person at RMV Service Centers, AAA branches, and EVR locations, and also through the mail when printed by a Contact Center agent.  Both versions of the Certificate of Registration will be valid.

CAR Private Passenger Residual Market Rate Filing Proposed Effect Data Change

Straight from CAR Bulletin No. 1037: