Missouri Governor Extends Order Protecting Insurance Policyholders in Joplin

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has extended his executive order providing emergency protections for the insurance coverage of Joplin-area residents.

Executive Order 11-20 ensures that residents and business owners in Jasper and Newton counties will keep their home and commercial property insurance coverage at least through July 31.

The original order, signed May 26, put protections in place through June 20, unless extended. Under the new executive order, these provisions remain in effect:

• Insurance companies may not cancel or refuse to renew any property insurance policy in Jasper or Newton counties through July 31;
• Insurance companies must provide copies of policies at no charge to consumers who request them;
• Public adjusters must show their state license to prospective clients;
• Public adjusters may not charge customers a commission of more than five percent of any insurance claim;
• Public adjusters may not require customers to pay a fee in advance; and
• After signing a contract with a public adjuster, consumers have 14 days to cancel.

The Department of Insurance issued Bulletin 11-03 and FAQs on May 27 providing guidance for insurers on compliance with Executive Order 11-12. The bulletin and the FAQs still apply to the provisions of the order that have been extended.

The Governor’s new executive order is effective through Sept. 15, 2011, unless extended.

Source: Missouri Department of Insurance

Topics Missouri