Many things have changed in the world since the COVID-19 outbreak. Schools are closed, places of business and worship are closed, and life as we know it will forever be different. We are happy to report that several personal lines carriers have announced refund and credit programs for their customers since people are driving less than they typically do. Here’s the information on refunds/credits that are currently available (carriers are listed in alphabetical order):
Auto Owners is offering a 15% refund for April and May auto insurance premiums.
Chubb is providing a 35% auto insurance premium reduction for April and May.
Hastings is providing a 15% refund of March and April auto insurance premiums.
Liberty Mutual is providing a 15% refund on two months of auto insurance premiums.
Nationwide is providing customers a one-time $50 refund.
Progressive is offering 20% credit on April and May auto insurance premiums.
Safeco is offering a 15% refund on two months of auto insurance premiums.
Many carriers are also offering payment and billing assistance. We have seen billing options such as skipping a payment and dividing that payment over the remaining payments, skipping a payment and doubling up on the next payment, and skipping a payment and having a double payment added to the end of the current policy term. We have also seen carriers suspend policy cancellations and waive late fees. Full details from our carriers (listed in alphabetical order) are below:
Auto-Owners Insurance billing representatives are offering the following options for accounts in good standing: Change payment plan; change the due day; defer the minimum due (the amount deferred is divided into equal installments and added to the future remaining payments); and key payment extension (this option gives a 10-day extension on the cancellation process date). Auto Owners number is 800-288-8740.
Chubb understands that many policyholders have been severely impacted by the events surrounding the novel Coronavirus and is committed to working with them to make accommodations based on their specific situations. Any agent or client who would like to discuss the extension of a payment due date should contact Chubb’s Customer Care Team at 866-324-8222, or customercare [at] chubb [dot] com. They will review each request individually and follow up as quickly as possible.
Foremost Insurance Group is extending a grace period for late payments until at least May 1, 2020. If your payment is late during this time, they will send you a reminder bill with an extended due date (rather than a cancellation notice for non-payment). This process will happen automatically; there is no need for you to call them to request an extension. If you have any billing questions, please call us at 1-800-532-4221. We'd be happy to take a closer look at your situation and see how we can help.
Hagerty temporarily put the following into place (effective March 15, 2020) to ensure your classic remains covered during this unprecedented time: If you have been impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to pay your premium on time, please call 877-922-9701 to request a deferral of payment or discuss other billing options. You may continue to receive billing invoices and payment reminders; however, your coverage will not be interrupted due to nonpayment.
Hastings Mutual will suspend cancellations of policies due to nonpayment of premium effective Monday, March 23, 2020, and ending Monday, May 18, 2020, in most states, and ending on later dates where state insurance departments have required longer grace periods. Hastings can be reached at (800) 442-8277, ext. 1700.
Liberty Mutual Small Commercial and Safeco are prepared to waive late fees for any customer who is unable to make a payment on time due to COVID-19. Customer service representatives will have the authority to adjust the customer’s current bill and to waive any late fees customers incur after March 1, 2020. Safeco Insurance: call 1-800-332-3226, press 1, and follow the prompts.
Michigan Insurance will be waiving late fees and lapse fees, but they are not deferring payments. Michigan Insurance can be reached at 800-877-0600: press 8.
Nationwide Insurance is committed to your success and wants to ensure customers don’t suffer additional hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Customers who require assistance with the payment of their insurance premium should contact CLService [at] nationwide [dot] com. In many cases, they can help with the extension of due dates and/or the waiving of late fees. Nationwide will comply with legal and regulatory orders. Nationwide’s number: 888-891-0267
Progressive: If your employment/income have been directly affected by the COVID-10 situation, Progressive is offering assistance with billing due dates and payment issues. Call our office or call Progressive directly at 877-776-2436 for more information.
West Bend will temporarily suspend cancellations of policies due to nonpayment of premium. In doing so, we won’t issue late pay notices or charge late fees. This suspension will begin at 12:01am CST Monday, March 23, 2020 and end at 11:59pm CST Sunday, April 19, 2020. This is not a waiver of payments due during the suspension period, but an extension or grace period to pay premiums for those directly impacted by the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. Policyholders will continue to receive invoices and any outstanding amounts due will be included. Please also note that if policyholders are set up on an automated payment plan, their payment will continue to process as normal unless we’re contacted