Policy Cancellation Moratorium

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE August 26, 2016 Bulletin 233 POLICY CANCELLATION MORATORIUM Due to the recent tornadoes and severe storms occmTing the weeks ofAugust 15, 2016, and August 22, 2016 ("Disaster Events") that resulted in significant property damage in Allen, Howard, Miami, Montgomery and St. Joseph com1ties ("Impacted Areas"*), the Indiana Department of Insurance is calling on all insurance companies to implement the following extensions and/or grace periods in the administration ofinsurance policies including all lines: A 60-day moratorium for cancellation of any insm·ance policy in effect for any policyholder directly affected by the Disaster Events residing within the Impacted Areas, and a suspension of any penalty attached to late payment therein. This "moratorium" is not a waiver; it is only an extension ofthe period in which to pay the premium. After the 60 days, the policyholder will have to resume making premium payments. The Department requests insurance companies work with the impacted policyholders in paying the premiums that would have become due during the moratorium period by either allowing a payment plan or a further extension in paying the amount due in full. The moratorium applies only to cancellations/non-renewals attributed to a failure to pay premiums directly as a result ofthe Disaster Events during the 60-day period. If a policy is to be cancelled or non-renewed for any other allowable reason, the cancellation or non-renewal may be made pursuant to the statutory notice requirements. However, the Depaiiment would request insurance companies take into consideration that persons in the heavily Impacted Areas may be unable to receive notice of cancellation or non-renewal due to evacuation or delayed postal service in that area. This moratorium will last 60 days, and the Department may request an extension ofthis moratorium ifan extension is deemed appropriate. This moratorium will take effect the date of issuance ofthis Bulletin. The Department expects insurers to apply this moratorium retroactively to the day before the Disaster Events occurred in each Affected Area. In addition, the Department will modify its own internal policies by implementing a 60­ day grace period relating to renewal and cancellations for all licensees, certificate holders and registrants from the Impacted Areas. This includes premium tax and surplus lines premium tax filings. Any penalties assessed due to late payment during this period will be waived. The 60-day extension will also be applied to the Continuing Education requirements to iliose producers from Impacted Areas. The Department, recognizing the potential displacement of personnel and documents, will accept temporary address changes at no fee either electronically through Sircon.com or NIPR.com, faxed to (317)234-5882, or by phone to (317)232-2413. The duplicate license fee of $10.00 for producers from Impacted Areas will be waived during this 60-day period. The Department stands ready to help rebuild damaged and destroyed essential insurance files by allowing copying of its own records without charge for those in Impacted Areas directly affected by the Disaster Events. INDIANA DEPAR1MENT OF INSURANCE ~w.~ StephW.Robe1tson, Insurance Commissioner * Because ofthe breadth ofthe storms and the number oftomado touchdowns, the implementation of this moratorium should also be considered on a case-by-case basis in unnamed counties.