Burglaries at Ark. Insurance Agencies Trigger Notification Requirements

Following a series of burglaries at insurance agencies in Arkansas, Insurance Commissioner Julie Benafield Bowman issued a reminder to all insurance companies of the notification requirements concerning security breaches.

Should such a breach occur, companies are required to disclose the breach to their customers in the most expedient time and manner possible, the insurance department’s announcement said.

“We have received recent reports of a number of burglaries of insurance agencies taking place around the state,” stated Commissioner Bowman. “Arkansas law and Arkansas Insurance Department Rules 74 and 77 outline the reporting procedures to be used if a breach in security may have affected Arkansas consumers.”

Insurance agency burglaries have been reported in Cabot, Conway and Arkadelphia. While the thieves appear to be taking mainly petty cash, the department is concerned about the availability of personal information utilized by insurance companies and agents.

Any Arkansas insurance agent who has suffered a break-in should notify the Legal Division of the Arkansas Insurance Department by calling 501-371-2820. If there is any possibility unauthorized third parties may have obtained confidential information about Arkansas insurance consumers, the notification requirements immediately come into play.

Source: Arkansas Insurance Department