Motor vehicle liability policy cancellations and non-renewals due to driver expirations

BULLETIN 21-03 Date: January 12, 2021 To: All Property and Casualty Insurers and Insurance Producers and the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund Re: Motor vehicle liability policy cancellations and non-renewals due to driver expirations ______________________________________________________________________ The Maryland Insurance Administration (“Insurance Administration”) has been contacted concerning instances of motor vehicle liability insurance policy cancellation and / or non-renewal notices being issued as a result of the expiration of an insured operator’s driver’s license. On March 5, 2020, Governor Hogan declared a State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 virus which remains in effect. In accordance with Governor Hogan’s Executive Order, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration is not suspending drivers’ licenses at this time due to license expirations. Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order, all licensed drivers in Maryland will have 30 days from the time the Governor’s Executive Order is lifted to obtain a renewal license. As a result of the Governor’s Executive Order, while the State of Emergency remains in place, insurers that issue motor vehicle liability insurance policies in the State may not cancel or non-renew a policy due to the expiration of an insured’s driver’s license. The Insurance Administration requests that all property and casualty insurers that write motor vehicle liability insurance policies in the State take the necessary steps to prevent the issuance of cancellation and / or nonrenewal notices of this type. Please contact the Associate Commissioner for Property & Casualty, Robert Baron with any questions concerning this Bulletin (Robert.Baron@Maryland.gov / 410.468.2353). KATHLEEN A. BIRRANE Commissioner JAY COON Deputy Commissioner LARRY HOGAN Governor BOYD K. RUTHERFORD Lt. Governor 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 1-800-492-6116 TTY: 1-800-735-2258 www.insurance maryland.gov KATHLEEN A. BIRRANE Commissioner By: __ Robert Baron Associate Commissioner Property and Casualty signature on original