2020

Released on: Apr 13, 2020, 12:19 PM

Notice to Policyholders 90-Day Grace Period for Property and Casualty Insurance Premium Payments Due to the Disruption Caused by COVID-19

Pursuant to New Jersey Executive Order 123 and New Jersey Bulletin No. 20-15, we are notifying you that in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance is directing all licensed property and casualty insurance carriers to provide their policyholders who may be experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 with at least a 90-day grace period to pay insurance premiums so that insurance policies are not cancelled for nonpayment of premium during this challenging time due to circumstances beyond the control of the policyholder.  A policyholder may elect this 90-day emergency grace period to begin retroactively on April 1, 2020 or opt for the grace period to begin on May 1, 2020.  During this extended grace period, insurers shall not cancel any insurance policy for nonpayment.  

Insurers are also directed to: 

• Waive late payment fees otherwise due, and not report late payments to credit rating agencies, during the 90-day period;
• Allow premiums due but not paid during the 90-day period to be paid over the remainder of the current policy term or up to 12 months in up to 12 equal installments, whichever is longer, except that an insurer may permit a longer repayment period; and
• Ensure that late payments during the 90-day period are not considered in any future premium calculations at any time (i.e. applicable late payments should not be counted for any rating, pricing, tiering attributes, etc.). 

This grace period is intended to be applied to all installment payments, including renewal down payments, provided that the policyholder provides notice to the insurer that the policyholder wishes to continue coverage. It is not intended to change the terms of the issued policy or be considered a forgiveness of the premium. Rather, it is intended that the insurer grant the policyholder an extended grace period for the payment of premium due without penalty or interest.

Policyholders facing financial hardships caused by steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 are encouraged to call our billing office at: 

Toll free at: 1- 800-637-6309

UFG Insurance
118 2nd Ave SE
PO Box 73909
Cedar Rapids, IA 52407-3909

Thank you for doing business with United Fire Group.