La. DOI: Emergency Rules to Expire on Nov. 30 and Dec. 31

Louisiana Department of Insurance issued a second notice regarding the Emergency Rules that require insurance companies to give policyholders affected by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita an automatic extension of time to pay their insurance premiums without incurring any late fees, penalties, cancellation or non-renewal. The department said these Emergency Rules are set to expire on Nov. 30 and Dec. 31, 2005.

The DOI noted that some companies allow insureds to pay in installments rather than a lump sum. Policyholders are advised to check with their insurance company for payment information.

Hurricane Katrina Expiration Dates

Policyholders affected by Hurricane Katrina were allowed to defer insurance premium payments starting on Aug. 26, 2005, the effective date of Governor Blanco’s declared State of Emergency, if they resided in one of the following 14 parishes when the storm struck: Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington.

Health Insurance Premium Payments: Policyholders in the 14 above-listed parishes affected by Hurricane Katrina who deferred their health insurance premium payments have until Nov. 30 to make current those premiums or be subject to the cancellation provisions of their policies.

All Other Insurance Premium Payments: Policyholders affected by Hurricane Katrina in Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany Parishes who deferred their insurance premium payments will have until midnight, Dec. 31 to make current all payments due to their insurance companies or be subject to the cancellation provisions of their policies. This includes all deferred premiums and any current premiums that may be due on Jan. 1, 2006

Policyholders affected by Hurricane Katrina in the remaining parishes of Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington who deferred their insurance premium payments will have until midnight, Nov. 30 to make current all payments due to their insurance companies or be subject to the cancellation provisions of their policies. This includes all deferred premiums and any current premiums that may be due on Dec. 1, 2005.

Hurricane Rita Expiration Dates

Policyholders affected by Hurricane Rita were allowed to defer insurance premium payments starting on Sept. 20, 2005, the effective date of Governor Blanco’s declared State of Emergency, if they resided in one of the following 12 parishes when the storm struck: Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion.

Health Insurance Premium Payments: Policyholders in the 12 above-listed parishes affected by Hurricane Rita who deferred their health insurance premium payments have until Nov. 30 to bring current those premiums or be subject to the cancellation provisions of their policies.

All Other Insurance Premium Payments: Policyholders affected by Hurricane Rita in Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermilion Parishes who deferred their insurance premium payments will have until midnight, Dec. 31 to make current all payments due to their insurance companies or be subject to the cancellation provisions of their policies. This includes all deferred premiums and any current premiums that may be due on Jan.1, 2006.

Policyholders affected by Hurricane Rita in the remaining parishes of Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne who deferred their insurance premium payments will have until midnight, Nov. 30 to make current all payments due to their insurance companies or be subject to the cancellation provisions of their policies. This includes all deferred premiums and any current premiums that may be due on Dec. 1.

Commissioner of Insurance Robert Wooley reminds consumers that insurance companies cannot charge any late fees, penalties or interest for payments deferred during the dates referenced above.

To view the Emergency Rules, visit the department’s Web site at www.ldi.state.la.us.