Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced on Friday that he is issuing an Emergency Rule that will allow greater protection and flexibility for policyholders impacted by Hurricane Laura.
According to a release, the action taken by Donelon was authorized by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Executive Order granting the commissioner temporary authority to implement emergency insurance rules.
“Emergency Rule 45 provides some necessary protections for insured individuals and business owners in Louisiana who are already dealing with the aftermath of the COVID virus,” said Donelon in the release. “The Emergency Rule will give policyholders who have been displaced from their homes time to try and begin the process of recovery and avoid being penalized in any way for non-payment of premiums.”
The rule includes the following provisions:
- The emergency rule applies to all kinds of insurance and all types of insurers.
- Policyholders living in the 16 affected parishes will receive an extension of time to pay insurance premiums due on or after Aug. 27, 2020, without any late fees, penalties, cancellation or non-renewal.
- The emergency rule provides policyholders in affected areas additional time to submit documents to insurers for claims that were filed before the state of emergency, but might be difficult for policyholders to send until they can return to their homes and businesses.
The action taken covers 16 Louisiana parishes affected by the storm: Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, Vermilion, Vernon and Winn.
The release states that policyholders outside of the named parishes may still contact their insurance company and request relief and insurers have been directed to assist these policyholders as appropriate.
To view Emergency Rule 45, visit the LDI website at www.ldi.la.gov.
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