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Customer Notifications

Relief Available for Tennessee Policyholders Impacted by Dec. 10-11 Severe Weather and Tornadoes (Dec. 22, 2021) 

Insurance policy term extensions, payment plans and extension of premium payment due dates are available to Tennessee policyholders who have suffered property damage, injuries or loss of life as a result of the tornadoes on Dec. 10-11, 2021. For more information, review the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance bulletin and the Executive Order (article 4) established on Dec. 14, 2021. Policyholders should work through their EMC independent agent to request and process extensions.

New York Workers’ Compensation Injured Employees and/or Beneficiaries: Option to Receive Benefits in the Form of Direct Deposit or By Mail (June 29, 2021)

New York workers’ compensation injured employees and/or beneficiaries have the right to receive workers’ compensation indemnity benefits or death benefits in the form of direct deposit or by paper check in the mail. Beginning July 1, 2021, you have the right to have such payments deposited into at least two bank accounts at your request, either as a percentage of the total benefit or a fixed dollar amount for each deposit. The claim administrator may require a minimum amount of up to $20 into each bank account.

For more information and to receive benefits via direct deposit, view and fill out the direct deposit authorization form and submit it to your claims adjuster.

Maryland Policyholder Notification: United States Postal Service Delays (March 5, 2021)

The Maryland Insurance Administration (“Insurance Administration”) is aware of ongoing delays by the United States Postal Service with the delivery of mail. The Insurance Administration has received consumer complaints and inquiries regarding premium bills and payments that are not being delivered in customary time frames. On February 16, 2021, the Insurance Administration published a Consumer Advisory in order to inform consumers of the potential problems and provide suggestions to avoid them.

Read more.

To aid in the timely payment of insurance premiums, EMC offers several convenient options in addition to mailing payments:

  • Select Make a Payment on emcins.com for a one-time payment
  • Set up electronic funds transfer (EFT) to have payments automatically deducted from the designated bank account each time the premium is due
  • Call 855-404-9076 to make a one-time payment

Policyholders can also access our secure Policyholder Access website to manage their policy, billing and claims.

Colorado Policyholders Impacted by the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (March 27, 2020)

Updated January 4, 2021

The Colorado Division of Insurance has issued Bulletin No. B-5.38 on March 27, 2020, to provide directives and guidance to all insurance companies issuing coverage to personal and commercial policyholders to make reasonable accommodations to prevent individuals and businesses from losing coverage due to cancellation for the non-payment of premium during this unprecedented time.

Reasonable accommodations should include, but not be limited to:

  1. Payment options to pay overdue premiums; and
  2. Waiver of late payment or reinstatement fees.

EMC Insurance Companies will uphold the above accommodations for Colorado policyholders as long as the orders are in effect or until the Bulletin is rescinded, whichever is later.

In addition, EMC encourages policyholders to take advantage of electronic bill pay options as listed on our COVID-19 Response webpage.

Missouri Policyholders Impacted by May 22-23 Severe Weather (May 23, 2019)

Missouri policyholders who were impacted by the recent severe weather events of May 22-23, 2019, can report claims by calling EMC toll free at 888-362-2255 or 800-821-4702. You can also login to Policyholder Access to report a claim online or find additional claim reporting options and details here: https://www.emcins.com/misc/reportClaim.aspx

Illinois Policyholders Impacted by Christian County State of Disaster (Effective Nov. 23, 2018-Jan. 23, 2019)

Governor Bruce Rauner has declared Christian county a state disaster area after significant storms impacted the county. Insurance consumers may experience disruption of mail delivery and displacement from their residences, businesses, and other properties due to the storms. To help provide safeguards and ensure Illinois consumers are not adversely affected by this disaster and do not suffer unnecessary hardship, all entities licensed or authorized to transact insurance business in this state are hereby requested to implement the safeguards listed below for all lines of business. These safeguards address problems consumers may face due to circumstances beyond their control. We hope these measures provide some peace of mind during the recovery process and help ensure that disaster victims do not lose important insurance coverage when they need it most.

  • Moratorium on cancellations and nonrenewals. Insurers shall withdraw any cancellation or nonrenewal notice issued on or after November 23, 2018, on any in-force policy issued to an affected policyholder and/or property. In addition, insurers shall not issue any new cancellation or nonrenewal notices to affected policyholders and/or property until January 23, 2019, or a later time if deemed reasonable given an individual consumer’s circumstance.
  • Other insurance-related time-period extensions. Insurers are directed to grant to affected policyholders an extension of any and all policy provisions or other requirements that impose a time limit for an insured or claimant to perform any act, including the submission of a claim or proof of loss, reporting of information, submission of bills or payment of funds. Such extension shall be for a minimum of 60 days from the last date allowed or required under the terms of the contract or allowed or required by the insurer, or longer if deemed reasonable given an individual consumer’s circumstance.
  • Time-period extension for repairs. In the event repairs on affected property cannot be completed within the time period required under any policy, or within the 90-day time period for repairs prior to termination due to condition of the property [215 ILCS 5/143.27], insurers shall provide consumers with an extension of not less than 60 days to make such repairs.
  • Cancellation or nonrenewal respecting affected property. Although otherwise allowed under Illinois law, insurers are directed to refrain from canceling or nonrenewing insurance policies respecting affected property due to “increase in the risk originally accepted” [215 ILCS 5/143.21 and 143.21.1] or due to the geographic location of the risk [215 ILCS 5/155.22].
  • Other exceptions to policy or contract requirements or rating or underwriting rules. Insurers shall consider exceptions to policy or contract requirements, or to other rating or underwriting rules not otherwise listed herein, when such contractual requirements or rating or underwriting rules are not met as a result of this disaster. Exceptions to policy or contract requirements or rating or underwriting rules include instances where an insured is displaced from his or her home and is unable to obtain non-emergency medical services from a network provider.
  • Availability of the Illinois Department of Insurance. Insurers shall advise Illinois consumers of the availability of the Department for filing a complaint regarding any disaster-related dispute or issue. Consumers shall be advised they may call the Department’s toll-free complaint hotline at 866-445-5364, or file a complaint online at: https://mc.insurance.illinois.gov/messagecenter.nsf

Indiana Policyholders Impacted by Recent Flooding (Effective March 2, 2018-May 2, 2018)

The Indiana Department of Insurance has issued Company Bulletin 241 on March 2, 2018, to suspend cancellation/nonrenewals of any insurance policy in effect for any policyholder directly affected by the disaster events residing within the impacted areas, and a suspension of any penalty attached to late payment therein.

  • Disaster Events: Due to recent severe storms, torrential rains and subsequent flooding beginning on Feb. 15, 2018, and lasting through Feb. 25, 2018, that resulted in significant property damage.
  • Impacted Areas: Includes properties located within Benton, Carroll, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Elkhart, Floyd, Fulton, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Noble, Ohio, Perry, Porter, Posey, Pulaski, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland, Wabash, Warren, Warrick and White counties.
  • Cancellation or Nonrenewal: The moratorium applies only to cancellations/nonrenewals attributed to a failure to pay premiums directly as a result of the disaster events during the 60-day period. If a policy is to be cancelled or nonrenewed for any other allowable reason, the cancellation or nonrenewal may be made pursuant to the statutory notice requirements.

Illinois Policyholders Impacted by Recent Flooding (Effective July 17, 2017-Sept. 30, 2017)

The Illinois Department of Insurance has issued Company Bulletin 2017-03 on July 17, 2017, to suspend cancellations and nonrenewals in disaster-related areas. Governor Bruce Rauner has declared Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties state disaster areas after significant flooding impacted these counties. To provide safeguards and ensure Illinois consumers do not suffer adverse effects or unnecessary hardship following this disaster, effective immediately, all insurers are requested to implement the following guidelines. These guidelines should govern treatment of all consumers (“affected policyholders”) residing in or around counties that Governor Bruce Rauner has declared disaster areas.

  • Moratorium on cancellations and nonrenewals: Insurers shall withdraw any cancellations or nonrenewal notices on any in-force policies issued to affected policyholders and/or property on or after July 12, 2017. In addition, insurers shall not issue any new cancellation or nonrenewal notices to affected policyholders and/or property until September 30, 2017 — or a later time if deemed reasonable given an individual’s circumstance.
  • Other insurance-related time-period extensions: Insurers should grant affected policyholders extensions on any and all policy provisions or other requirements imposing time limits for an insured or claimant to perform any act, including: submitting a claim or proof of loss, reporting information, submitting bills or paying funds. Such extensions shall be a minimum of 60 days from the last date allowed or required under the terms of the contract, or allowed or required by the insurer, or longer if deemed reasonable given an individual’s circumstance.
  • Time-period extension for repairs: In the event affected property repairs cannot be completed within the policy’s required time period, or within the 90-day time period prior to termination because of the property’s condition [215 ILCS 5/143.27], insurers shall provide consumers an extension of at least 60 days.
  • Cancellation or nonrenewal respecting affected property: Unless otherwise allowed under Illinois law, insurers should refrain from cancelling or nonrenewing insurance policies respecting affected property due to “increase in the risk originally accepted” [215 ILCS 5/143.21 and 143.21.1] or due to the risk’s geographic location [215 ILCS 5/155.22].
  • Other exceptions to policy or contract requirements or rating or underwriting rules: Insurers shall consider exceptions to policy or contract requirements, or to other rating or underwriting rules not otherwise listed herein, when such contractual requirements or rating or underwriting rules are not met due to this disaster. Exceptions to policy or contract requirements or rating or underwriting rules include instances when an insured is displaced from his or her home and cannot obtain non-emergency medical services from a network provider.
  • Availability of the Illinois Department of Insurance: To file a complaint regarding disaster-related disputes or issues, consumers may call the toll-free complaint hotline at 866-445-5364 or file a complaint online at: https://mc.insurance.illinois.gov/messagecenter.nsf.

Arkansas Policyholders Impacted by Recent Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Floods (May 5, 2017)

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has requested a major disaster declaration for Arkansas counties impacted by severe storms, tornadoes and floods beginning April 27, 2017, including Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Cross, Drew, Faulkner, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Ouachita, Perry, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Washington, White, Woodruff and Yell Counties. The Arkansas Insurance Department issued Bulletin No. 5-2017 and amended Bulletins No. 5-2017A and No. 5-2017B to assist Arkansas policyholders to overcome these obstacles, the department is hereby issuing a 60 day moratorium on the cancellation/nonrenewal of policies for nonpayment of premiums for Arkansans residing in disaster counties. This moratorium shall apply to all insurance policies issued in impacted areas. This moratorium extension is not automatic.

To be eligible for the 60 day moratorium, interested policyholders must request this extension from their insurance carriers and must have suffered significant property damage, injuries or related loss of life as a result of the storms. The 60 day moratorium period, where requested by the policyholder, shall commence effective April 27, 2017 to June 27, 2017.

Missouri Policyholders Impacted by Recent Flooding (May 5, 2017)

Due to the state of emergency declared by Missouri Governor Eric R. Greitens in Executive Order 17-17, the Missouri Department of Insurance issued Bulletin 17-04 on May 4, 2017, requesting all insurers licensed in the state to provide a cancellation grace period to policyholders who resided in a county impacted by the historic flooding which began on April 28, 2017.

This DOI bulletin was issued in response to recent flooding in the state which may affect a policyholder’s ability to timely act or respond to an insurer. The DOI is requesting that all licensed insurers allow coverage to remain in effect for policyholders impacted by the flooding, or to give policyholders a cancellation grace period or more time to pay premiums. Insurer’s continue to have the ability to cancel policies based on fraud or policyholder’s failure to pay premiums within a reasonable time after May 30, 2017. Also, insurers may continue any existing automatic payment deductions or electronic transfer arrangement until the policyholder cancels the arrangement.

Read more.

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Directive for Wildfire and Severe Weather in Southeast Tennessee Impacted Area Effective Dec. 2, 2016-Feb. 5, 2017

To help provide safeguards for consumers and to ensure that Tennessee consumers affected by the wildfire disaster and the Nov. 29 severe weather in Southeast Tennessee do not suffer unnecessary hardship, every reasonable effort to assist policyholders who have experienced losses as result of these wildfires and the Nov. 29 severe weather will be taken into consideration. The TDCI Directives 16-01 for Wildfire Impacted Areas 16-02 for Tennessee Severe Weather requests that insurers suspend cancellations or nonrenewals of policies for the nonpayment of premium for a period of at least sixty (60) days from the date of the loss of those policyholders who have suffered property damage, injuries, or loss of life as a result of the catastrophic events. This 60-day extension does not constitute a waiver of the policyholder’s obligation to pay premium.

If a delay in premium payment appears to be the result of a disruption to the mail delivery system or of the policyholder’s displacement due to the severe wildfires, EMC will work with the policyholder and take those circumstances into account before cancelling a policy.

Oklahoma DOI Answers Earthquake Coverage Questions

Earthquakes have recently become more common in Oklahoma, and residents want to know more about earthquake coverage. Read more information on the Oklahoma DOI site.

Third-Party Payment Warning (Sept. 29, 2016)

Recently, some policyholders discovered a third-party payment provider called Doxo that allows policyholders to make payments to many companies, including EMC Insurance Companies, through the provider’s website (www.doxo.com) or corresponding mobile app. If the policyholder does an online search for EMC’s online bill payment system and is not careful to select www.emcins.com, he or she could easily select the Doxo payment site.

Read more.

Insurance Advice for Eastern Iowa Flood Victims

On Sept. 28, 2016, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) offered insurance advice for Eastern Iowa flood victims.

Read more.

Iowa DOI Issues Bulletin 16-01 for Insurance Consumers Impacted by Flooding

On Sept. 26, 2016, the Iowa Department of Insurance issued Bulletin No. 16-01 requesting insurance companies to allow coverage to remain in effect for any Iowa policyholder who resides in a county where a disaster has been declared and who has had their ability to timely act or respond to an insurer materially affected by the flood. For personal lines customers, a 60-day grace period will be in effect starting Sept. 26, 2016, during which a policyholder can take necessary actions to pay insurance premiums before cancellation or nonrenewal becomes effective. The impacted counties are Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Delaware, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Linn, Mitchell, Worth and Wright.

Iowa DOI Issues Bulletin 16-01 for Insurance Consumers Impacted by Flooding

On Sept. 26, 2016, the Iowa Department of Insurance issued Bulletin No. 16-01 requesting insurance companies to allow coverage to remain in effect for any Iowa policyholder who resides in a county where a disaster has been declared and who has had their ability to timely act or respond to an insurer materially affected by the flood. For personal lines customers, a 60-day grace period will be in effect starting Sept. 26, 2016, during which a policyholder can take necessary actions to pay insurance premiums before cancellation or nonrenewal becomes effective. The impacted counties are Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Delaware, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Linn, Mitchell, Worth and Wright.

Indiana DOI Issues Moratorium Bulletin for Lead-Impacted Area

Effective Sept. 14, 2016, the Indiana Department of Insurance issued Bulletin No. 234, due to the lead-contaminated soil in East Chicago, Ind. A 60-day moratorium for cancellation/nonrenewal of any insurance policy is in effect for any policyholder directly affected by the East Chicago event residing within the impacted areas, and a suspension of any penalty attached to late payments. This moratorium will apply retroactively to July 28, 2016, the day the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mailed letters to some individuals in the impacted areas. However, if a policy is to be canceled or nonrenewed for any other allowable reason, the cancellation or nonrenewal may be made in accordance with statutory notice requirements. This 60-day lead-contaminated soil moratorium is not a waiver, it is only an extension of the period in which to pay the premium. After 60 days, the policyholder will have to resume making premium payments.

Disaster Reality Check (Sept. 15, 2016)

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging property owners to take a "Disaster Reality Check" regarding their preparedness and ability to recover from a natural disaster or other emergency.

Read more.

Indiana DOI Issues Moratorium Bulletin After Tornadoes

The Indiana Department of Insurance has issued Bulletin No. 233 requesting insurance companies to implement a 60-day moratorium for the cancellation or nonrenewal of any insurance policy in effect for any policyholder who was directly impacted by the tornadoes and storms occurring during the weeks of Aug. 15, 2016 and Aug. 22, 2016. While the moratorium took effect on Aug. 26, 2016, the DOI expects carriers to apply the moratorium retroactively to the day before the disaster events. The Indiana Department of Insurance wants insurance carriers to give policyholders who were directly impacted by the storms up to 60 days in which to pay insurance premiums before cancelling or nonrenewing their policies. Indiana counties currently impacted by this moratorium are Allen, Howard, Miami, Montgomery and St. Joseph.

Flood Warnings (July 14, 2016)

Kansas: Woodson County in southeastern Kansas.

Kentucky: Warnings continue for the Green River at Paradise, Ky., until Saturday evening when the water should go below flood stage.

Minnesota: The Mississippi River at Aitkin affecting Aitkin and Crow Wing counties. The Mississippi River near Fort Ripley affecting Morrison and Crow counties. Flooding is forecast for the Snake River near Pine City. Kanabec County in east Central Minnesota and southeastern Mille Lacs County in east Central Minnesota.

Missouri: The Blackwater River near Blue Lick affecting Cooper and Saline counties.

Wisconsin: Governor Scott Walker declared a state of emergency in eight Wisconsin counties on July 12 in response to the flooding in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer and Washburn counties.

Colorado Active Wildland Fires (July 11, 2016)

Colorado is experiencing active wildland fires. Areas currently affected are listed below:

Cold Springs Fire: A wildland fire was sparked on Saturday, July 9, 2016, in Boulder County. The Cold Springs fire is located two miles northeast of Nederland, which is west of Boulder. This fire has charred more than 600 acres with zero percent containment. As of July 11, authorities said nearly 2,000 people have been evacuated.

Hayden Pass Fire: Located near Highway 50 and CR 6, and into the mountains in Fremont County. This fire has charred more than 5,000 acres with zero percent containment. Evacuations are in place.

Beaver Creek Fire: Located west of Walden, Colo. This fire has charred more than 15,290 acres with five percent containment. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered.

Notice to Navajo County, Arizona

On June 21, 2016, Arizona Governor Douglas Ducey issued a Declaration of Emergency for the wildfires in Navajo County.

Read more.

Wildfire Reality Check: Quick Tips on How to Prepare Your Finances

Disaster Preparedness Consumer Alert

The Insurance Division of the Department of Business Regulation distributed a consumer alert on June 13, 2016, on disaster preparedness in order to make filing a claim easier after a storm.

Read more.