States are Limiting Insurers' Ability to Cancel Policies During Pandemic

Following other states, like Georgia, that have recently issued orders that prevent insurers from canceling insurance policies during the ongoing pandemic, Delaware has issued an order that insurers cannot cancel policies during the pendency of the declared state of emergency. Pennsylvania has not barred insurers from canceling policies, but the Insurance Commissioner issued a notice urging insurers to be flexible with payment options for those impacted by the pandemic, but did not prevent cancellations. 

Insurers should closely monitor this situation in every state to make sure that they are abiding by these ever-evolving orders from the states regarding cancellation of policies.

Posted by Jonathan MacBride

Hurricane Michael - Business Interruption Coverage in Florida and Georgia

Hurricane Michael’s devastation of the Florida Panhandle and damage caused as it moved through the South and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, will undoubtedly result in claims for lost income from the interruption of business. Whether these losses will be covered will depend on the policy wording used and the specific facts of each loss. Nevertheless, in anticipation of these claims, it is prudent to become familiar with the outcome of prior litigation arising out of business interruption and/or suspension of operations coverage disputes, as these cases can be instructive.

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Hurricane Michael First Party Property Claims Checklist for Georgia

On October 9, 2018, in anticipation of Hurricane Michael pushing through the panhandle of Florida and impacting the lower half of Georgia, Governor Nathan Deal issued a State of Emergency for most of the counties in the southern half of the state. Based on the size and intensity of Hurricane Michael as it makes landfall in Florida, it is likely that many of those counties will encounter intense winds and significant rainfall.

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