Annapolis, MD – April 24, 2013 – In the coming weeks, Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to sign Senate Bill 930 into law, allowing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), for the first time in its forty-year history, to accept installment payments for insurance premiums.

“This legislation is a victory for all Marylanders. Those who need MAIF policies will now have a more convenient and less expensive option for purchasing their policies, making the choice to drive insured an easier one. Those who are insured by other carriers will ultimately find themselves on safer roads in our state, alongside fewer uninsured vehicles,” said MAIF Executive Director M. Kent Krabbe.

Previously, MAIF policyholders were required, by statute, to pay their entire premium at the time of purchase. A MAIF customer who was not able to afford the full premium payment was required to finance the policy through one of Maryland’s approved Premium Finance Companies, subjecting the policyholder to additional fees and interest rates.

According to the fiscal note for SB 930, prepared by the Department of Legislative Services, MAIF’s Installment Plan will save policyholders between $200 and $400 per year.

Over the last eight years, this bill has been proposed and debated in several iterations. In 2013, the political landscape and the level of consumer advocacy awareness aligned, allowing sponsors and supporters to get SB930 through committee, passed by both houses of the General Assembly, and on to the Governor for signature.

“We thank all of the sponsors of Senate Bill 930. In particular, we would like to thank Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton of Charles County and Senator Catherine Pugh of Baltimore City for their leadership and support of this bill as well as their advocacy for Maryland drivers in need of a more affordable alternative for their insurance premiums. We would also like to thank Governor O’Malley for his steadfast and constant support for this important reform,” said Krabbe.

This law will take effect on July 1, 2013.

For policies with an annual premium under $3,000, policyholders are required to make an initial payment of 25% at the time of purchase, and are then able to pay the remaining premium in up to six (6) payments, over the course of the yearlong policy.

For policies with an annual premium of $3,000 or more, policyholders are required to make an initial payment of 20% at the time of purchase, and are then able to pay the remaining premium in up to eight (8) payments, over the course of the yearlong policy.

MAIF will not charge interest rates on installment plans. However, it may charge a small administrative fee of up to $8 per installment payment.

About MAIF:

MAIF was created by the Maryland State Legislature in 1972 for the purpose of providing automobile liability insurance for those residents of the State of Maryland who are unable to obtain it elsewhere in the private insurance market. MAIF receives its operating funds from insurance premiums paid by policyholders, and receives no funding from taxpayers via the Maryland General Fund.

To learn more about MAIF, please visit www.maif.net. You can also find MAIF on Facebook (facebook.com/MDAutoInsFund) and Twitter (@MDAutoInsFund).

Contact Information:

MAIF Communications Specialist

Dan Franko

410-269-8551

dfranko@emaif.com

Modernization of MAIF’s core policy administration and billing operation with MajescoMastek is designed to reduce costs, streamline processes, and allow for expansion of services

New York, NY, March 13, 2013 - MajescoMastek, the provider of Insurance Software + IT Services to over 100 carriers, and the U.S. subsidiary  of global technology solutions provider Mastek Limited (NSE: MASTEK), today announced The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), an independent agency of the State of Maryland providing automobile liability insurance for Maryland residents  has selected MajescoMastek’s STG Policy Administration and STG Billing solutions for legacy replacement and core processing modernization.  MajescoMastek’s experience in core processing, proven solutions and services, focus on personal and commercial auto market, and track record were the key reasons that MAIF chose MajescoMastek’s products.   

In addition to the policy administration and billing solutions, MajescoMastek’s STG Insurance Content Designer (ICD) and STG Insurance Content Manager (ICM) will empower MAIF’s business and IT users to manage content, including: business rules, rates and forms. The content is accessed through a modern architecture built on open standards, offering an intuitive, web-based user experience, along with built-in industry best practices.

MAIF will also extend the reach of the new operating environment through the deployment of MajescoMastek’s Mobile Application to provide easy access to services and consumer support. 

Faced with the technological limitations and process inefficiencies of the legacy environment, MAIF sought to replace the current systems and leverage modern technologies to enhance and expand its service model and lines of business offered.

Anticipated MAIF benefits from the implementation of the MajescoMastek solutions include:

• Reduced costs with improved efficiencies in billing and policy administration processes;
• Streamlined workflows, reporting, metrics;
• Enhanced customer experience and services; and
• Ease in creation, modification, and management of business rules, resulting in an agile operating environment.

Diane Williams, MAIF’s CIO, said, “MajescoMastek has a proven wealth of experience in policy administration in the automobile line of business, and their great reputation in billing is very well known in the industry.  This experience and reputation, combined with MajescoMastek’s functionality, technology, and services made for the ideal combination to meet MAIF’s needs.  We are confident in MajescoMastek as a valued business partner and we look forward to working closely with their team during our implementation project.”

Anil Chitale, P&C Practice Leader, MajescoMastek, added, “When insurers are looking to replace the legacy core system environment with modern technology, they are looking for more than just good systems.  They want to be assured they are working with a technology partner who has the solutions as well as the services and history of experience that are needed to deliver a successful implementation.  We are happy that MAIF recognizes our core strength – a combination of our software, our services, our experience, and, just as important, our sense of project responsibility and ownership from start to finish. We are proud to be selected by MAIF as a partner on their transformation initiative.”

As a provider of insurance software + IT Services to over 100 carriers, MajescoMastek uniquely combines its wide intellectual property base, domain expertise, mission-critical program management abilities, and complex solutions capabilities to help insurance carriers unlock business value. MajescoMastek delivers proven solutions in core insurance areas, including: policy administration, product modeling, new business processing, billing, claims and distribution management.

About MAIF

MAIF was created by the Maryland State Legislature in 1972 for the purpose of providing automobile liability insurance for those residents of the State of Maryland who are unable to obtain it elsewhere in the private insurance market. MAIF is an independent agency of the State of Maryland, and as such, reports directly to the Governor and is responsible to the Maryland State Legislature. MAIF receives its operating funds from insurance premiums paid by policyholders and receives no State funding.

To learn more about MAIF, please visit www.maif.net.

Contact:

Dan Franko

MAIF Communications Specialist

410-269-8551

dfranko@emaif.com

About MajescoMastek

MajescoMastek is an established provider of Insurance Software + IT Services to over 100 carriers.  MajescoMastek uniquely combines its wide intellectual property base, domain expertise, mission-critical program management abilities and complex solutions capabilities to help insurance carriers unlock business value. MajescoMastek delivers proven solutions and IT services in core insurance areas including policy administration, product modeling, new business processing, billing, claims, producer lifecycle management and incentive compensation. MajescoMastek is part of Mastek (NSE: MASTEK) with over 3200 employees operating in 8 countries across the globe.

For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.majescomastek.com, or call 1-800-249-9540. 

Contact:                                                             

MajescoMastek

Ashwin Rodrigues

646-731-1078

ashwin.rodrigues@majescomastek.com

Annapolis, Md. – December 12, 2012 – The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) responded today to the passing of Maryland’s Civil Marriage Protection Act.

In a bulletin to the insurance providers responsible for writing MAIF policies, the Fund stated that, “In keeping with the legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly, as well as the residents of Maryland via referendum, and signed into law by Governor Martin O’Malley on December 6, 2012, married rates for MAIF policies now apply to all valid marriages including civil unions.”  

Questions regarding MAIF policies or insurance rates can be directed to MAIF’s Policy Services Unit at 800-445-1117.

About MAIF:

MAIF was created by the Maryland State Legislature in 1972 for the purpose of providing automobile liability insurance for those residents of the State of Maryland who are unable to obtain it elsewhere in the private insurance market. MAIF receives its operating funds from insurance premiums paid by policyholders, and receives no funding from taxpayers via the Maryland General Fund.

To learn more about MAIF, please visit www.maif.net. You can find MAIF on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact Information:

MAIF Communications Specialist

Dan Franko

410-269-8551

dfranko@emaif.com

Annapolis, Md. – December 3, 2012 – The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) announced the selection of Paul Deter as Fiscal Director, effective November 28, 2012. Mr. Deter brings to MAIF more than twenty-five years of industry experience.

Mr. Deter has extensive financial experience in the insurance industry, having served as CFO for Sun States Insurance Group in Atlanta, GA, Controller for Symons International Group in Atlanta, GA, CFO/COO for Knox Holdings in Dallas, TX, and Southeast Regional Controller for Safeco Insurance Companies in Atlanta, GA.

Most recently, Mr. Deter served as Partner of Montreat Consulting in Princeton, NJ, in charge of expanding insurance-related business opportunities. Prior to that, Mr. Deter was Vice President of Internal Audit, and previously, Vice President and Controller for an East Rutherford, NJ holding company. In that role, he was responsible for managing an investment portfolio in the billions with an operational budget of more than $100M.

“I welcome Paul to our MAIF family. We are eager to bring his proven history of leadership and experience in the insurance industry to MAIF. With his counsel, MAIF will continue its more than twenty-year record of strong financial results, sophisticated investment strategies, and cutting-edge operational efficiencies,” said MAIF Executive Director M. Kent Krabbe.

Mr. Deter shared his excitement for joining MAIF, and said that he is looking forward to the opportunity to, “leverage my background and enhance the balance and efficiency of the organization.”

Mr. Deter earned bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration in the fields of Operations Management and Accounting, as well as a Master of Business Administration in International Business and Finance from Georgia State University.

About MAIF:

MAIF was created by the Maryland State Legislature in 1972 for the purpose of providing automobile liability insurance for those residents of the State of Maryland who are unable to obtain it elsewhere in the private insurance market. MAIF receives its operating funds from insurance premiums paid by policyholders, and receives no funding from taxpayers via the Maryland General Fund.

To learn more about MAIF, please visit www.maif.net. You can find MAIF on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact Information:

MAIF Communications Specialist

Dan Franko

410-269-8551

dfranko@emaif.com

Maryland Delegate James Malone, Jr. joins student drivers to test-drive MAIF’s new Interactive Distracted Driving Simulator

Annapolis, MD – August 21, 2012 – Today, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) unveiled its newest weapon in the fight against distracted driving.

MAIF Executive Director M. Kent Krabbe was joined by Delegate James Malone to announce an education campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, and to unveil the Fund’s new interactive distracted driving simulator.

“As Maryland’s home-grown insurance agency, we can help. We take the responsibility to keep Maryland roads safe very seriously. This is an issue that puts Maryland drivers at risk, particularly our youngest and least experienced drivers,” said Krabbe.

While this effort is aimed to raise awareness among all Marylanders, it is particularly targeted at drivers aged 16 to 20, a group that is most at risk for distracted driving deaths. “Getting to these drivers early, before they get develop the habit of texting behind the wheel is key to making sure the next generation of drivers makes better driving decisions,” Krabbe said.

In support of this goal, Mr. Krabbe unveiled an interactive driving simulator, which was demonstrated by local teen drivers. The simulator, with scenarios for both distracted and impaired driving, will make its public debut at the Maryland State Fair this weekend, and will be the focal point of MAIF’s Community Outreach efforts going forward.

Delegate Malone, who serves as Vice Chair of the House Environmental Matters Committee, as well as the Chairman of the Motor Vehicles & Transportation subcommittee, and who has sponsored numerous bills aimed at cell-phone use and distracted driving, welcomed the addition of the driving simulator, “I am so happy that MAIF has this (simulator). People think it won’t happen to them, but it only takes a second to look down and look back up and ‘Boom’. This device teaches that.”

Delegate Malone shared valuable advice for the teen drivers in attendance, “Set a good example. If you’re in a car with somebody, make sure to tell them, “Give me the phone.” I tell my son to put the phone in the glove box. You can get it when you get there.”

Following the comments, teen drivers demonstrated the simulator in both distracted and impaired modes and gave their reaction.

“It was still kind of hard to pay attention to both (the phone and the road),” said Jennie Dodd, 17. When asked what she’d do if she was in a car with a distracted driver, “I’ll text for them, and they can focus on driving,” she said.

Sixteen-year old Kameron Williams echoed Ms. Dodd’s thoughts on riding with a driver who was texting, saying that he would tell them to, “put the phone down and wait ‘til we get where we’re going.”

“Whether it’s filling Marylanders’ insurance needs or helping to teach their young drivers the dangers of distracted or impaired driving, we’re here to help,” said Krabbe.

Distracted Driving Statistics/Facts:

• Distracted Driving is the number-one killer of teens in America.
• 3,092 people were killed nationwide in 2010 in crashes involving distracted driving.
• 416,000 people were injured in the U.S. in 2012 in crashes involving distracted driving, which made up 18% of all accidents involving injury.
• Reading or sending a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds.
• At 55 mph, that’s equal to driving the length of a football field without looking at the road.
• A texting driver is 23-times more likely to be involved in an accident.

(sources: NHTSA, Distraction.gov, StopTextsStopWrecks.org)

About MAIF:

MAIF was created by the Maryland State Legislature in 1972 for the purpose of providing automobile liability insurance for those residents of the State of Maryland who are unable to obtain it elsewhere in the private insurance market. MAIF receives its operating funds from insurance premiums paid by policyholders, and receives no funding from taxpayers via the Maryland General Fund.

To learn more about MAIF, please visit www.maif.net. You can find MAIF on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact Information:

MAIF Communications Specialist

Dan Franko

410-269-8551

dfranko@emaif.com

Statewide Public Service Campaign Launches Today

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 17, 2012) – Following an extensive agency review process, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) today announced the selection of the Weitzman Agency as agency of record to develop and launch the organization’s first-ever public service campaign. The Annapolis-based Weitzman Agency will manage a communications program designed to educate the public about the risks of driving without insurance and encourage uninsured motorists to always maintain insurance coverage.

The multi-lingual campaign will utilize a variety of media channels including, but not limited to, broadcast, mobile, social media and community outreach.

In advance of today’s campaign launch, Weitzman Agency designed and was instrumental in helping to launch a new mobile-friendly website for the organization.

“I am pleased to announce the selection of the Weitzman Agency as our agency of record, as we continue to expand on MAIF’s mission of making Maryland roads safer and educating Maryland drivers on the importance of maintaining automobile insurance coverage. Weitzman’s creative and technical experience and their genuine passion for MAIF’s mission made them the ideal partner in crafting and spreading our message that, ‘MAIF can help’,” said MAIF Executive Director Kent Krabbe.
 
Today’s announcement caps off a statewide competitive review and search for qualified marketing firms. Finalists delivered oral presentations to a MAIF selection committee in early January. The winning firm, Weitzman Agency, was selected and began work on the campaign immediately.

About MAIF
MAIF was created by the Maryland State Legislature in 1972 for the purpose of providing automobile liability insurance for those residents of the State of Maryland who are unable to obtain it elsewhere in the private insurance market. MAIF is an independent agency of the State of Maryland, and as such, reports directly to the Governor and is responsible to the Maryland State Legislature. Operating funds for MAIF are received from the insurance premiums written with MAIF. MAIF receives no State funding and any debts or obligations of the Fund cannot be deemed to be debts of the State of Maryland. To learn more about MAIF, please visit www.maif.net. Find MAIF on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MDAutoInsFund
and Twitter @MDAutoInsFund.

About Weitzman

Weitzman is an award-winning, full-service advertising, digital, social agency based in Annapolis, Maryland. Weitzman celebrates more than 40 years of creative, innovative, targeted campaigns that grow its clients’ brands and help them develop lasting, valuable relationships with their customers. Weitzman represents clients in a variety of industries including automotive, hospitality, fashion, real estate, finance, environmental, sports and entertainment. To learn more about Weitzman, please visit www.weitzmanagency.com. Find Weitzman on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/weitzmanagency and Twitter @WeitzmanAgency.
 


Contact:
Dan Franko
Communications Specialist
410-269-8551
dfranko@emaif.com

Annapolis, MD – Today, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) is proud to announce a partnership with the Maryland State Police to promote awareness of Maryland’s “Move Over” law.

The law, which went into effect on October 1, 2010, requires drivers approaching a police or emergency response vehicle on the side of the road to immediately reduce speed and move over, away from the shoulder if at all possible. Many Maryland drivers are still unaware that failure to do so is a violation of the law, and the lack of doing so creates unnecessary risk to police officers and emergency personnel.

A total of twenty-five law enforcement officers were struck and killed in the United States in 2010 and 2011. (Source: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund).

“MAIF is committed not only to insuring Maryland drivers, but to helping insure the safety of Maryland’s roadways,” said MAIF Executive Director, M. Kent Krabbe. “Our law enforcement and emergency personnel risk their lives every day working toward that same goal. Each one of us has a responsibility to make sure that they are able to perform their duty safely,” he added.

In support of its goal of promoting safer driving habits, MAIF has generously provided
the Maryland State Police, as well as other state and local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, with bumpers stickers that read, “If I’m on the shoulder: Slow Down. Move Over. It’s the law.”

These stickers will be displayed on police, fire, and EMS vehicles throughout Maryland to help raise awareness for the “Move Over” law.

ABOUT MAIF
Helping Maryland drivers for forty years, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund was created by the General Assembly in 1972 and provides automobile insurance to eligible  Maryland residents that have been turned down by two or more private carriers, or cancelled by one. MAIF receives no General Funds or taxpayer funding from the State of Maryland. Its operating funds are comprised of insurance premiums and revenue from MAIF’s investment income.

Download the MAIF Move Over Release