Reporting Requirements, Cancellations and Non-renewals are Suspended for Customers Located in or Around Counties Declared Disaster Areas by Insurance Commissioner Causey
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 19, 2018 — Insurance Company of the West, a member of ICW Group Insurance Companies, announced today that it is implementing safeguards for policyholders affected by the severe flooding in North Carolina, ensuring there is no lapse in coverage during the recovery process. The damage impacts Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Richmond, Roberson, Sampson, Scotland, Wayne and Wilson counties.
In accordance with the North Carolina Department of Insurance Order Activating Disaster Mediation Program and amendment Bulletin NCGS 58-2-46, issued by Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, ICW Group has enacted the following directives:
- Moratorium on cancellations and nonrenewals for any notice issued on or after September 14, 2018, on any in-force policy issued to affected policyholders. Additionally, no new notices will be issued to affected policyholders through December 19, 2018, or later if deemed reasonable.
- Extensions will be granted to affected policyholders on any and all policy provisions or other requirements that impose a time limit. Extensions of not less than 90 days will be granted for submission of a claim, proof of loss, repairs of property, reporting information, and submission of bills or payments, from the last date allowed or required by the policy. Additional extensions will be granted as deemed reasonable.
- Moratorium on cancellation or nonrenewal respecting affected property due to “increase in the risk originally accepted” or due to the geographic location of the property.
- Availability of the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Please be advised that the North Carolina Department of Insurance is available to all needing assistance. Call the Department’s toll-free hotline 1.855.408.1212, or go online at www.NCHurriClaims.com, to learn more information about the Victim Assistance Center locations and on filing a complaint regarding any disaster-related dispute or issue.
“With this disaster impacting so many, we want to ensure our customer’s safety as well as their peace of mind,” stated Kevin Prior, president and CEO of ICW Group. “We are fully committed to safeguarding our customers’ speedy recovery during this difficult rebuilding period. In complying with the guidelines outlined by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, we understand our commitment to our North Carolina communities and highly value their trust in us.”
ICW Group will send an email to North Carolina agents, brokers and policyholders outlining the above safeguards. For timely announcements, follow ICW Group on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/icw-group and on Twitter via @ICWGroup.
About ICW Group
Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held insurance company domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Workers’ Compensation, Property and Auto insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims while elevating the trusted agents who advise them. For more information, visit ICW Group’s Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook pages.
Media Contact
ICW Group
Trisha Rule
858.924.8611
trule@icwgroup.com
