Oregon Extends Emergency Order for Insurance Deadlines

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has extended its emergency order on insurance deadlines.

The order requires all insurance companies to extend grace periods for premium payments, postpone policy cancellations and nonrenewals, and extend deadlines for reporting claims due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

This disruption to business in the state includes some Oregonians’ ability to make insurance premium payments, report claims, and communicate with their insurance companies, according to the department.

“Many of our insurers are stepping up in several ways to help their customers through this crisis. We appreciate those that are issuing auto refunds and credits, providing access to telehealth services, and waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing,” Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner, said in a statement. “Extending the emergency order ensures Oregonians can continue to get relief from these insurance policy terms and continue to focus on staying healthy and caring for their families.”

Insurance companies must continue to do the following until the order is no longer in effect:

• Institute a grace period for premium payments on all insurance policies issued in the state
• Suspend all cancellations and nonrenewals for active insurance policies
• Extend all deadlines for consumers to report claims and communicate about claims
• Provide consumers the ability to make premium payments and report claims while maintaining safe social distancing standards

Topics Oregon