Illinois Flood Disaster victims –– June 20, 2008
First Financial Insurance Company and The Burlington Insurance Company wish
to express our concern about our customers impacted by the Midwestern floods. We
understand the difficulties that you are experiencing during this very trying recovery
period. If you have an insurance matter that you need to discuss, your first contact
should be to your insurance agent. The agent's contact information is attached to
your policy. If your agent is unavailable, you may contact us directly:
For policyholders residing in affected areas or property located in Illinois counties
that have been declared to be disaster areas by Governor Rod R. Blagojevich or President
George W. Bush ("Affected Policyholders" and/or "Affected Property"), the Illinois
Division of Insurance has instructed all insurers to implement the following
emergency procedures.
Moratorium on cancellations and nonrenewals. For any cancellation or nonrenewal
notice on or after June 10, 2008 on any in-force policy issued to an Affected Policyholder
or respecting Affected Property, insurers shall withdraw the cancellation or nonrenewal
and reinstate the policy with no lapse of coverage. In addition, insurers shall
not issue any new cancellation or nonrenewal notices to Affected Policyholders or
for Affected Property until August 18, 2008, or a later time if deemed reasonable
given an individual consumer’s circumstance.
Other insurance-related time-period extensions. Insurers are directed to
grant to Affected Policyholders an extension of any and all policy provisions or
other requirements that impose a time limit for an insured or claimant to perform
any act, including the submission of a claim or proof of loss, reporting of information,
submission of bills, or payment of funds. Such extension shall be for a minimum
of 60 days from the last date allowed or required under the terms of the
contract or allowed or required by the insurer, or longer if deemed reasonable given
an individual consumer’s circumstance.
Time-period extension for repairs. In the event repairs on Affected Property cannot
be completed within the time period required under any policy, or within the 90-day
time period for repairs prior to termination due to condition of the property, insurers
shall provide consumers with an extension of not less than 60 days to make such
repairs.
Cancellation or nonrenewal respecting affected property. Although otherwise allowed under Illinois law, insurers are directed to refrain from canceling or nonrenewing insurance policies respecting Affected Property due to "increase in the risk originally accepted" or due to the geographic location of the risk.
Other exceptions to policy or contract requirements or rating or underwriting rules. Insurers shall consider exceptions to policy or contract requirements, or to other rating or underwriting rules not otherwise listed herein, when such contractual requirements or rating or underwriting rules are not met as a result of this disaster
Availability of the Illinois Division of Insurance. Insurers shall advise Illinois consumers of the availability of the Division for filing a complaint regarding any disaster-related dispute or issue. Consumers shall be advised that they may call the Division’s toll-free complaint hotline at 1-866-445-5364, or file a complaint online at: http://www.idfpr.com/doi/Complaints/Complaints.asp