MID has been working with Mississippi consumers and the insurance industry to ensure that Mississippians impacted by Hurricane Katrina are treated fairly and receive compensation in a timely manner

GEORGE DALE Commissioner of Insurance State Fire Marshal LEE HARRELL Deputy Commissioner STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Mississippi Insurance Department 501 N. West Street 1001 Woolfolk Building (39201) Post Office Box 79 Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0079 (601) 359-3569 http://www.doi.state.ms.us Mississippi Insurance Department Bulletin No. 2005-6 September 7, 2005 This Office has been working with Mississippi consumers and the insurance industry to ensure that Mississippians impacted by Hurricane Katrina are treated fairly and receive compensation in a timely manner. While a lack of housing, communications and fuel has made it difficult in many cases for adjusters to get with insureds, this situation is improving daily and the claims adjustment process is moving forward. My Office has been contacted by Mississippians who advise that their adjusters allegedly denied their homeowners' claims without inspecting the damaged property. While there was significant water damage on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and homeowners' policies offered throughout the United States generally contain a water damage exclusion, an adjuster cannot summarily determine the cause of damage without inspecting the damaged property. Consequently, I am instructing all companies to be aware of these issues and to fully inspect any damaged property before a coverage decision is made. In some situations, there is either very little or nothing left of the insured structure and it will be a fact issue whether the loss was caused by wind or water. In these situations, the insurance company must be able to clearly demonstrate the cause of the loss. I expect and believe that where there is any doubt, that doubt will be resolved in favor of finding coverage on behalf of the insured. In instances where the insurance company believes the damage was caused by water, I expect the insurance company to be able to prove to this office and the insured that the damage was caused by water and not by wind. le to clearly demonstrate the cause of the loss. I expect and believe that where there is any doubt, that doubt will be resolved in favor of finding coverage on behalf of the insured. In instances where the insurance company believes the damage was caused by water, I expect the insurance company to be able to prove to this office and the insured that the damage was caused by water and not by wind. These are very difficult times for our State and region, and I ask that the insurance industry construe coverage issues in a manner that will afford coverage to as many of our citizens as possible. We will continue to work with Mississippi consumers and the insurance industry to ensure that all claims are fairly and promptly processed. This the 7th day of September, 2005. Sincerely, George Dale GEORGE DALE