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Colorado governor amends and extends executive order limiting evictions and foreclosures and provides unemployment relief for those impacted
On April 30, Colorado Governor Jared Polis amended and extended a previous executive order that limited foreclosures, evictions, and cancellations of utility services as a result of nonpayment and provided an expedited lane for unemployment insurance claims for workers impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. The amendments to Polis’ initial order primarily deal with various aspects of foreclosure, eviction, tenant payment plans, and energy initiatives to assist low income Coloradans. Among other things, the amendments prohibit landlords and lenders from evicting tenants or from charging late fees or penalties for any breach of a lease or rental agreement due to nonpayment. The extension is valid for 30 days, unless extended further by subsequent executive order.
Connecticut Insurance Department will grant extensions to foreign insurers for hard copy filings
On April 29, the Connecticut Department of Insurance issued a bulletin to foreign-chartered insurers, health care centers, and fraternal benefit societies authorized to do business in Connecticut discussing regulatory relief in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The department continues to require that foreign companies timely make all required electronic filings. However, upon request, it will grant an additional 30 or 45 days to complete many hard copy filings, a list of which is included in the bulletin.
Connecticut Insurance Department will grant extensions to domestic insurers for hard copy filings
On April 29, the Connecticut Department of Insurance issued a bulletin to state-chartered insurers, health care centers and fraternal benefit societies discussing regulatory relief in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The department continues to require that domestic companies timely make all required electronic filings. However, upon request, it will grant an additional 30, 45, 60 or 90 days (depending upon the type of filing) to complete many hard copy filings. A list of these filings is included in the bulletin.
Washington insurance commissioner issues order regarding reporting requirements for collecting withheld depreciation payments
On April 27, the Washington insurance commissioner issued Executive Order 20-05 to insurers authorized to transact property and casualty insurance business and all entities regulated by the insurance commissioner. The order extends the deadline for policyholders of property and casualty insurance to report completed repairs in order to claim withheld depreciation payments until at least 60 days after June 26 or the expiration of the governor’s stay at home order, whichever is first.
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issues order providing relief to policyholders
On April 27, the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issued an order imposing certain requirements on insurance companies authorized to conduct business in the District of Columbia. Among other things, insurance companies and premium finance companies are prohibited from terminating insurance contracts due to non-payment. Insurance companies must make reasonable accommodations for policyholders during the Covid-19 emergency, such as through waiving installment, late payment, or reinstatement fees, extending billing due dates and premium grace periods, and providing an option to use electronic payment technology. The order also provides guidance concerning premium relief and the department’s review of form and rate filings.
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issues bulletin regarding submission of filings
On April 24, the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issued a Bulletin 0X-SB-00X 03/20 suspending the procedures established by Bulletin 03-SB-04-03/21 in light of the Covid-19 public health emergency. Required filings and fee payments that would have been submitted pursuant to the procedures outlined in Bulletin 03-SB-04-03/21 must now be submitted to the department via PDF to a specified email address. Further, instead of physical checks, the associated payments must be submitted in electronic form in accordance with the instructions in the bulletin.
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issues bulletin to certain insurance companies
On April 23, the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking issued a bulletin to insurers, captives, and risk retention groups regarding modified regulatory filing requirements during the public health emergency. While companies are still required to make all required electronic filings with the NAIC based on modified filing deadlines, if applicable, the department will allow insurers an additional 30 to 60 days, depending on the filing, to complete filings upon a request to the department on or before the normal deadline. The bulletin sets forth the filings eligible for 30- or 60-day extensions. The bulletin also provides guidance regarding electronic filings and signatures. Further, while the department will not conduct any on-site examination work during the stay-at-home order, the department may still request certain electronic records to track trends arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Arizona Department of Insurance issues guidance on insurance customer relief
On April 16, the Arizona Department of Insurance issued Regulatory Bulletin 2020-04 to certain insurers. Such insurers are encouraged to offer relief to customers affected by Covid-19, such as refraining from cancelling or non-renewing policies due to non-payment during the hardship, working with insured on premium payments, waiving late fees, interest, and penalties, delaying premium increases, and suspending the use of credit reports for rating. Insurers implementing Covid-19 related customer relief programs must make an informational filing in SERFF to document their programs.
Wisconsin extends stay at home order
On April 16, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services extended its order closing all non-essential businesses and ordering residents to stay at home until May 26, 2020. Banks, credit unions, and other depository or lending institutions; licensed financial service providers; insurance services; broker dealers; and investment advisors are not required are considered essential and not required to close.
California insurance commissioner issues bulletin requiring premium refunds, credits, and reductions
On April 13, the California insurance commissioner issued Bulletin 2020-3 to property and casualty insurers regarding premium refunds, credits, and reductions in response to Covid-19. In light of the reductions in risk across certain lines of insurance as a result of reduced activity during Covid-19, insurers are required to make an initial premium refund for the months of March and April to all adversely impacted California policyholders for certain lines of insurance as soon as practicable but within 120 days from April 13. The bulletin contains additional guidance regarding how to refund the premiums, whether approval is required from the Department of Insurance for certain changes in premiums, and reporting requirements for actions taken.