Insurance Dept. Urges Insurance Companies To Use Flexibility In Premium Due Dates, Extend Grace Periods And Waive Late Fees And Penalties

On August 22, the Insurance Department called on insurers to provide flexibility for Pennsylvanians affected by Tropical Storm Debby. 

“Experiencing significant home, property and business damage from a storm is incredibly difficult.  We want Pennsylvanians to focus on recovery, and we urge our insurance community to provide flexibility where possible to aid consumers in that effort," said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “This flexibility is crucial for people who are trying to rebuild their lives after Tropical Storm Debby."   

PID encourages insurers to assist Pennsylvanians in affected counties by considering the following actions:

-- Relaxing due dates for premium payments;

-- Extending grace periods;

-- Waiving late fees and penalties; and

-- Allowing payment plans for premium payments to otherwise avoid a lapse in coverage.

Additionally, insurers are asked to only consider cancellation or nonrenewal of policies after exhausting other efforts to work with policyholders to continue coverage.

PID also encourages health insurers to allow patients to fill prescriptions early, and at no cost where possible, for medication that has been lost or destroyed.  

On August 9, Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a proclamation of disaster emergency (amended on August  20) for 28 counties that were affected by catastrophic flooding from the storm.

Pennsylvanians in at least 28 counties lost their homes, vehicles, medications, and other belongings. 

Counties listed in the proclamation are Adams, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Clearfield, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Fulton, Indiana, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Potter, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, Wyoming, and York.

​Pennsylvanians with questions or wishing to file a complaint with the Department may contact PID's Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-877-881-6388 or online.

Click Here for the complete announcement.

Visit the Insurance Department’s What To Do After The Storm webpage for more information on what to do after a natural disaster.

Related Article:

-- Gov. Shapiro Adds 7 Counties To Flood Disaster Proclamation: Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Elk, Indiana, York; Aid For Flood Survivors  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Williamsport Sun: Water Testing Begins In Lewis Township As Part Of Flood Response

-- Scranton Times: Areas Of Susquehanna, Lackawanna Counties Hit Hard By Rainstorm

-- PennLive: PennDOT Secretary Promises Quick Fix For Flood-Damaged Northcentral PA Highway

-- MCall: Storms Bring Torrential Rain, Flash Flooding To Lehigh Valley

-- WNEP: Sunday Storms Lead To High Water, Flooding Across The Region

-- Attorney General Henry Reminds Homeowners Of Predatory Scammers During Hurricane Season

[Posted: August 22, 2024]  PA Environment Digest