Commissioner Donelon Issues Emergency Insurance Rules

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued the rarely invoked Emergency Rule 40 to address the statewide Coronavirus emergency declared by Governor John Bel Edwards.

In a recent release Donelon stated, "“The ongoing impact of the stay at home order has touched households and businesses throughout Louisiana and this order provides Louisiana policyholders a moratorium on policy cancellations and non-renewal by their insurers. However, I do want to stress that nothing in this order absolves consumers or businesses of their ultimate responsibility for payment of premiums.”

According to the Commissioner's office, here is a summary of Emergency Rule 40:

• Defines the insurance carriers and the kinds of insurance coverage governed by this order as well as the Louisiana policyholders entitled to the benefits and protections of this rule.
• Suspends cancellation, non-renewal and non-reinstatement by insurers, or premium finance companies acting on behalf of insurers retroactively to the start of this emergency period. Additionally, this rule clarifies that no policy can be canceled or non-renewed because of a claim that is filed during this emergency.
• Policies may continue to be canceled for fraud and material misrepresentation or upon written request by the consumer.
• Insureds remain obligated to pay all premiums. Any property and casualty claim during this period are subject to a premium offset prior to payment. Health and accident claims related to a delinquent policy may be pended during the moratorium and will be paid in accordance with procedures established therein.
• Emergency Rule 40 does not apply to new policies issued after the effective date of the rule.

For more information regarding Commissioner Donelon's declaration, JUST CLICK HERE!