MAIP - Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan
General Information
The MAIP Policy Application system accesses operator data from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Which data fields are pre-filled by a matched Registry record?
First, Middle and Last Name, Date of Birth, Address (Home and Mailing), Date First Licensed, First Licensed Motorcycle, Driver Training, Merit Rating and Owed Premium
What if the information I have is different from that pre-filled by the Registry? Am I able to make changes to any of the pre-filled data fields?
You may only make changes to Address (Home and Mailing), Date First Licensed and First Licensed Motorcycle. These changes may be made on the Applicant or Driver screens. The other pre-filled fields may not be changed within the MAIP Policy Application. However, you may use the Remarks screen to identify information that may be different than the information retrieved from the Registry. From the Remarks page, click on the Amend button. On the Prefill Remarks screen, you may indicate proposed updates to the pre-filled Registry information, including Driver First/Last Name, Date of Birth, Merit Rating, Driver Training status and Owed Premium.
Will my proposed updates be provided to the Registry?
No. Note that any changes or comments made in the MAIP Policy Application System are only communicated to the Assigned Risk Company and will not update the Registry’s database.
What do I do if the premium deposit I calculated doesn't match the MAIP policy application?
The MAIP policy application calculates the premium and required premium deposit based on the requested coverage levels for a given risk. These calculations accurately reflect MAIP rates, and should be used when collecting the premium deposit.
I have made an assignment, but the risk would now like to add a vehicle and make changes to the policy. Who do I notify?
Once an assignment has been made through the MAIP, the company receiving the assignment must be notified of any changes to the policy. Assigned Risk Company information can be found on either the Company Directory or the Assignment Checklist for the application.
Access the Company Directory by clicking on the Company Directory link from the Producer Tab. The Company Directory provides a link or email address for each Assigned Risk Company. Company information may also be obtained from the Assignment Checklist which is produced upon policy assignment. Select Assignments from the Producer Tab. Enter a Start Date and End Date that includes the date that the policy was assigned. Click Retrieve Data, and then double-click on the row displaying the applicant's name. When the application summary displays, click Checklist on the Left Navigation to obtain assigned company contact information.
What is an SR-22 filing and can a company that receives an assignment through the MAIP issue this filing?
An SR-22 is a document that provides proof that a driver has the minimum required liability insurance coverage for a particular state. It is required by state motor vehicle departments.
A company assignment made through the MAIP is based on a quota share calculation. This calculation does not take into account an Assigned Risk Company's ability to issue an SR-22 in a specific state. Therefore, if an Assigned Risk Company receives a request for an SR-22 in a state where the company is not licensed, or not recognized by the state as having the ability to issue an SR-22, the Assigned Risk Company will not be able to issue the filing.
Currently, all carriers participating as Assigned Risk Companies in the MAIP are able to issue SR-22 filings in the state of New Hampshire due to an agreement between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For states where the ARC is not authorized to issue the filing, producers should look to the secondary market to find an insurance carrier that specializes in this type of business.
Can motorcycles be placed for assignment through the MAIP?
Motorcycles can be written and placed through the MAIP.
Can a motorcycle and a vehicle be put on the same policy in the MAIP?
A motorcycle and a vehicle may be written on the same policy. A separate policy is not needed. A motorcycle may also be endorsed onto a MAIP assigned policy.
Who do I contact to discuss down payments, pre-inspections, or changes to an application? Once an assignment has been made, where do I send the signed application, premium deposit, copies of driver licenses, or additional required paperwork or endorsements?
Once the assignment is made through the MAIP, all correspondence, endorsements, and policy inquiries should be directed to the carrier who received the assignment. The Post-Assignment Checklist that appears immediately after an assignment provides relevant information concerning the ARC's specific requirements.
Can an operator with only an operator’s permit be submitted through MAIP, and if so, how?
A licensed driver must be listed on a policy. An operator cannot be listed as an operator on a policy with only a permit. An operator with only a permit can, however, be the applicant on a MAIP policy. In fact, the MAIP Policy Application provides a checkbox to indicate that the applicant is not a licensed driver. In this instance, an operator meeting the current MAIP eligibility requirements must be listed on the policy. Be sure to use the MAIP Policy Application Remarks Section to detail any unusual circumstances and/or to clarify application information. Once the operator gets his/her license, the policy may be endorsed to include him/her as a listed operator. An alternative solution would be for the vehicle owner to purchase the vehicle as an additional vehicle for the operator’s household. The vehicle can be endorsed to the existing household policy. The driver would be added as an operator once he/she obtains his license.
Is someone with a foreign license eligible for placement through the MAIP?
Yes. Effective July 2018, validly licensed drivers from any country are allowed to operate validly registered motor vehicles in Massachusetts and are eligible for placement through the MAIP. Refer to Appendix A of the RMV’s Massachusetts Driver’s Manual for further information.
Can an operator with a high merit rating status due to a significant number of at-fault accidents, or convictions for DUI/OUI, motor vehicle fraud or theft be placed through the MAIP? He/She has a vehicle where the lienholder requires comprehensive and collision coverage. What should I do?
Part 7 of Rule 27 – Coverages of CAR’s Rules of Operation identifies circumstances under which an Assigned Risk Company must charge an extra-risk rate, or in the alternative, refuse to issue collision, fire, theft, or comprehensive coverage. In this situation, you can proceed by rating the risk with the desired coverages and submitting the application for assignment through the MAIP. In the Remarks Section of the application, be sure to give the specifics of the situation. You should also explain to your customer that the possibility exists that the assigned company may not issue the physical damage coverage and discuss alternatives. Finally, should the company opt to deny physical damage coverages, your customer will be required to resolve any coverage requirement or request outside of the MAIP.
An application can be edited at any time prior to assignment using Edit on the Left Navigational Panel within the MAIP Policy Application. An application cannot be edited after assignment. Any changes after assignment must be made through direct communication with the company via their preferred method of contact.
I created and exported my application with Boston Software's Singlepoint, but the MAIP upload function is not showing my application. What do I do?
Singlepoint uploads the application directly into the MAIP Policy Application. You can therefore go directly to Edit function within the MAIP Policy Application. Your Singlepoint application will be listed by applicant name and is ready for immediate editing and assignment.
I want to make sure the application has no errors before my customer comes in, but I don't want to assign it now. What can I do?
It is possible to check an application for errors before assignment by using the Save for Later option. Follow this procedure:
Where can I find an application for a policy that was previously assigned?
To view/print an assigned application: