Deferral of Premium Payments and Policy Time Frames for Flood Victims in the Red River Valley

GREAT SEAL STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA Glenn Pomeroy Commissioner of Insurance DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA # BULLETIN 97-1 TO: All Insurance Companies and Other Entities Licensed in North Dakota FROM: Glenn Pomeroy, Commissioner Glenn Pomeroy DATE: April 23, 1997 SUBJECT: Deferral of Premium Payments and Policy Time Frames for Flood Victims in the Red River Valley # SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY This bulletin pertains to all insurance companies and other entities authorized to transact business in the State of North Dakota, regardless of the line of insurance the company is authorized to write. The purpose of this bulletin is to notify companies of the Commissioner's request that they allow their insureds to defer premium payments coming due before the end of May, and to extend any and all provisions imposing time constraints within which insureds must take certain action. The request comes in response to the tragic flood in the Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota. This request is applicable to either insureds residing in or property insured in the following areas by zip code: Richland County | Abercrombie | 58001 | Galchutt | 58075 | Wahpeton | 58074, | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Barney | 58008 | Great Bend | 58039 | | 58075 | | Christine | 58015 | Hankinson | 58041 | Walcott | 58077 | | Colfax | 58018 | Lidgerwood | 58053 | Wyndmere | 58081 | | Dwight | 58075 | Mantador | 58058 | | | | Fairmount | 58030 | Mooreton | 58061 | | | 600 EAST BOULEVARD • BISMARCK, ND 58505 • (701) 328-2440 Consumer Hotline: 1-800-247-0560 Relay North Dakota 1-800-366-6888 (TTY) Bulletin 97-1 April 23, 1997 Page Two # Cass County | Absaraka | 58002 | Fargo | 58102, 58103, | Page | 58064 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Alice | 58003 | | 58104, 58105, | Prairie Rose | 58104 | | Amenia | 58004 | | 58106, 58107, | Reilies Acres | 58102 | | Argusville | 58005 | | 58108, 58109 | Riverside | 58078 | | Arthur | 58006 | Frontier | 58104 | Tower City | 58071 | | Ayr | 58007 | Gardner | 58036 | West Fargo | 58078 | | Briarwood | 58104 | Grandin | 58038 | Wheatland | 58079 | | Buffalo | 58011 | Harwood | 58042 | | | | Casselton | 58012 | Hunter | 58048 | | | | Chaffee | 58014 | Kindred | 58051 | | | | Davenport | 58021 | Leonard | 58052 | | | | Embden | 58079 | Mapleton | 58059 | | | | Erie | 58029 | North River | 58102 | | | # Walsh County | Adams | 58210 | Fordville | 58231 | Lankin | 58250 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ardoch | 58213 | Forest River | 58233 | Minto | 58261 | | Edinburg | 58227 | Grafton | 58237 | Park River | 58270 | | Fairdale | 58229 | Hoople | 58243 | Pisek | 58273 | # Grand Forks County | Arvilla | 58214 | Inkster | 58244 | Niagara | 58266 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Emerado | 58228 | Larimore | 58251 | Northwood | 58267 | | Gilby | 58235 | Manvel | 58256 | Reynolds | 58275 | | Grand Forks | 58201, | Mekinock | 58258 | Thompson | 58278 | | | 58202, 58203, | | | | | | | 58204, 58206, | | | | | | | 58208 | | | | | # Pembina County | Backoo | 58282 | Glasston | 58236 | Mountain | 58262 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bathgate | 58216 | Hamilton | 58238 | Neche | 58265 | | Cavalier | 58220 | Hensel | 58241 | Pembina | 58271 | | Crystal | 58222 | Joliette | 58271 | St. Thomas | 58276 | | Drayton | 58225 | Leroy | 58282 | Walhalla | 58282 | Bulletin 97-1 April 23, 1997 Page Three # **Traill County** | Blanchard | 58009 | Cummings | 58223 | Kelso | 58045 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Buxton | 58218 | Galesburg | 58035 | Mayville | 58257 | | Caledonia | 58219 | Hatton | 58240 | Portland | 58274 | | Clifford | 58016 | Hillsboro | 58045 | | | ### NOTIFICATION As you are undoubtedly aware, the flood which is taking place in the Red River Valley of eastern North Dakota is devastating. Flood victims are facing an extremely trying time ahead. The thoughts and prayers of the entire state are with each person who has been in some way touched by this catastrophic event. The response to this tragic event by the citizens of North Dakota has been truly inspiring. Friends have labored alongside one another to save their neighborhoods. Communities have bonded together to help fend off the relentless waters of the flood. Indeed, the entire state has mobilized to help those who are in need. In such times, the business community of North Dakota should be called upon to do its part in combating this natural disaster just as North Dakota citizens have done on an individual basis. As such, I am requesting that all insurance companies and other entities authorized to transact business in this state give their customers affected by this disaster the option of deferring premium payments coming due before the end of May, interest free, for up to 60 days from the original premium due date. Further, as to any policy provision which imposes a time limit on an insured or claimant to perform any act, including the transmittal of information or funds, with respect to a contract of insurance, I am requesting companies extend such time limits 60 days from the last day allowed under the terms of the contract, or any longer period which may be deemed reasonable under the specific circumstances related to that insured or claimant. No additional rate filing will be necessary to effect the deferral requested. Any insurer unable or unwilling to comply with this request must inform the North Dakota Insurance Department of the reasons for its inability or unwillingness to comply within five working days from receipt of this bulletin. Direct responses to: Chris Edison Legal Counsel North Dakota Insurance Department 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505 It is my sincere hope that every company will abide by this request. Not only is this a matter of good corporate citizenship, it is simply the right thing to do. During this trying time, flood Bulletin 97-1 April 23, 1997 Page Four victims should only have to concern themselves with getting their lives back together. They should not have to worry about paying the insurance premium for the coverage they will so desperately need to help them recover from this tragedy. I applaud the efforts of those insurance companies who have already instituted a program for deferral of premiums and urge, in terms that cannot be overstated, all other companies to take a similar course. GP/njb