Those directly impacted by severe weather given an additional 60 days to pay insurance premiums

COLUMBUS – Ohio residents affected by the recent severe weather are getting relief when it comes to deadlines for paying their insurance premiums.  Ohio Lieutenant Governor and Department of Insurance Director Mary Taylor issued a bulletin on Monday, July 2, 2012 to Ohio insurance companies asking them to be patient when receiving late insurance premium payments from those who are trying to recover.

“Thanks to cooperation from Ohio’s insurance community, we are giving residents some additional relief so that they can focus on cleaning up and repairing their properties instead of worrying about a pending insurance premium payment,” Taylor said.

This request to insurers derives from the Federal Emergency Declaration for the state due to storms that occurred on June 29, 2012 and is applicable to all Ohioans who have experienced a loss.

The bulletin, 2012-02, states that insurance companies are to give those who have been directly impacted by the storms 60 days from the date the premium was due to pay their premiums, interest free.  The bulletin expires on September 30, 2012.

The full bulletin and a Severe Weather Recovery Toolkit, which includes information about how to safeguard your property, vehicle and possessions, tips on the claims filing process, FAQS about windstorm damage and insurance, and tips on protecting yourself from a deceitful contractor, are available on the Department’s website, http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/" href="http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/">www.insurance.ohio.gov.

Ohioans with insurance questions can call the Department’s consumer hotline at 1-800-686-1526.  You can also follow the Department on twitter @OHInsurance and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OhioDepartmentofInsurance" href="http://www.facebook.com/OhioDepartmentofInsurance">www.facebook.com/OhioDepartmentofInsurance. 

To view the bulletin, visit: http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/Legal/Bulletins/Documents/2012-02_Federal_Emergency_Declaration.pdf" href="http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/Legal/Bulletins/Documents/2012-02_Federal_Emergency_Declaration.pdf">www.insurance.ohio.gov/Legal/Bulletins/Documents/2012-02_Federal_Emergency_Declaration.pdf.