Commissioner of Insurance Order - Tropical Storm Helene (COUNTIES AMENDED)

Number 24-B-13 Counties Amended To: All Insurance Companies and other Entities Licensed under Chapter 58 Of the North Carolina General Statutes From: Mike Causey, Commissioner of Insurance Date: October 28, 2024 Subject: Tropical Storm Helene – North Carolina Operations Tropical Storm Helene Disaster Declaration (DR-4827-NC) https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4827 On September 28, 2024, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for North Carolina. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene Disaster Declaration (DR-4827-NC) for the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanley, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey. The Disaster Declaration also applies to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. On September 30, 2024 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 Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanley, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey counties and to the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Pursuant to NCGS § 58-2-46, this bulletin pertains to all insurance companies, including hospital service corporations, HMOs, MEWAs, surplus lines insurers, 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 §§ 58-50-75 through 58-50-94, 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 Companies, Collection Agencies, and Motor Clubs to Joe Wall at Joe.Wall@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 Bianca Cogdell at Bianca.Cogdell@ncdoi.gov