COVID-19 Pandemic

Number 20-B-06 To: All Insurance Companies and other Entities Licensed under Chapter 58 Of the North Carolina General Statutes From: Mike Causey, Commissioner of Insurance Date: March 27, 2020 Subject: COVID-19 Pandemic On March 25, 2020 President Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of North Carolina to supplement the state, tribes, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020 and continuing. On March 27, 2020 Insurance Commissioner Causey issued an order that activated the state of disaster automatic stay of proof of loss requirements, and premium and debt deferrals as authorized under the provisions of NCGS 58-2-46 for residents of all 100 counties in North Carolina. Pursuant to NCGS 58-2-46, this bulletin pertains to all insurance companies and includes a service corporation, HMO, MEWA, surplus lines insurer, the underwriting associations defined in NCGS 58-45- 5(1) and NCGS 58-46-5, premium finance companies, collections agencies, and other persons subject to Chapter 58 of North Carolina General Statutes. NCGS 58-2-46 provides the specifics pertaining to extensions, deferrals, and other extra requirements applicable to the entities as referenced therein. Such entities are required to provide their customers adversely affected in the disaster area specific relief of the insureds’ payment, submission of claims and other responsibilities. You are encouraged to review the statutory requirements for proper implementation. All entities that are subject to North Carolina’s External Review Law, NCGS 58-50 Part 4, shall allow consumers, whose requests may have been impacted by the disaster, additional time for their requests to be received and reviewed. Additionally, for cases that have been accepted and additional information is being submitted, the timeframes for receiving this information will also be extended. Check the NC Department of Insurance web site for possible future updates. www.ncdoi.gov Please refer any questions regarding Premium Finance and Collection Agencies to Angela Hatchell at Angela.Hatchell@ncdoi.gov Please refer any questions regarding Life & Health to Ted Hamby at Ted.Hamby@ncdoi.gov Please refer any questions regarding Property & Casualty to Fred Fuller at Fred.Fuller@ncdoi.gov Please refer any questions regarding External Review to Susan D. Nestor at Susan.Nestor@ncdoi.gov