MS Insurance Bulletin 2020-3
Moratorium on Policy Cancellations/Non-Renewals for Policyholders Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic (Issued March 25, 2020) Bulletin 2020-3 Questions and Answers
MIKE CHANEY
Commissioner of Insurance
State Fire Marshal
MARK HAIRE
Deputy Commissioner of Insurance
RICKY DAVIS
State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal
MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
501 N. WEST STREET, SUITE 1001
WOOLFOLK BUILDING
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201
www.mid.ms.gov
MAILING ADDRESS
Post Office Box 79
Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0079
TELEPHONE: (601) 359-3569
FAX: (601) 359-2474
BULLETIN 2020-3, as amended
MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
MORATORIUM ON POLICY CANCELLATIONS/NON-RENEWALS FOR POLICYHOLDERS
IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
March 25, 2020
On March 14, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency to address the high risk for an
outbreak of the novel coronavirus, identified as COVID-19, in this State. As a result of the COVID-19
pandemic, people have been quarantined and schools and businesses have closed. These necessary actions will
certainly have a negative economic impact on our State which will result in a financial hardship for many
citizens.
To assist Mississippians impacted by this pandemic and the closures and quarantines it has caused, the
Mississippi Insurance Department (“Department”) is hereby issuing a sixty (60) day moratorium on the
cancellation/non-renewal of policies for the non-payment of premiums, effective March 24, 2020. This
moratorium shall apply to all policies issued or issued for delivery in this State.
Policyholders are advised that this moratorium is not a waiver of premium; rather, it is a moratorium on the
cancelation or non-renewal of policies for the failure to pay premiums during the applicable 60-day period.
Insurers are directed to work with impacted policyholders in paying the premiums that become due during the
moratorium period by either allowing a payment plan or a further extension of the due date for the amount in
full.
If a policy is to be canceled or non-renewed for legally recognized reasons other than a failure to pay premiums,
the cancellation or non-renewal may be made pursuant to statutory notice requirements.
The actions taken by Governor Reeves and this office are intended to protect the citizens of this State and to
help limit the economic impact of this crisis. Therefore, the Commissioner directs insurers to comply with the
provisions of this Bulletin and to work with policyholders as everyone continues to assess the impact of the
COVID-19 crisis.
Should you have any questions regarding this Bulletin, please contact the Department’s Legal Division at (601)
359-3577.
MIKE CHANEY
COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE