20200403 Update on Response to the Coronavirus Health Risk - Public
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As we continue through these challenging times, Citizens remains committed to continuing the policy and claims support our agents and customers have come to expect.
Outlined below are the business exceptions that Citizens is making due to the impact of COVID-19 on our policyholders.
Continued Coverage for Cancelled and Nonrenewed Policies
To ease the burden for our policyholders during this time, effective on and after March 27, 2020, we have stopped processing policy cancellations and are not sending nonrenewal notices to policyholders until further notice.
Additionally, we will send a letter to policyholders offering to reinstate coverage for policies that cancelled or nonrenewed on or after March 1, 2020.
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At this time, we are not requiring a premium payment or any underwriting requirement to reinstate these policies.
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The policyholder or a member of your agency staff must contact Citizens to request reinstatement within three weeks of the policyholder letter date.
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Agents can submit requests via PolicyCenter® or via phone by calling 888.685.1555. Refer to FAQ 4170 for more details.
Note
Premium-financed policies that were cancelled by Citizens upon request of the premium finance company remain cancelled and are not eligible for reinstatement.
Payment Extensions for Direct-Billed Policies
Policyholders with direct-billed policies can submit a payment after their due date until further notice for:
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New-business applications or renewals
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A payment plan installment or additional premium invoices
Existing Policies
We are extending due dates for required underwriting documents and photos, including proof of repair for a prior reported loss, and other documents requested by our Underwriters. For more details, refer to the Resources section.
New-Business Submissions
Agents have additional time to submit certain required documents, and/or submit alternative documents and signatures for new-business applications. However, we encourage agents to submit inspections now if they are available because they are required documents.
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Agents can submit a new Personal Lines: COVID-19: Alternate Documents/Request Document Deferral form to request exceptions for required documents.
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Contact the Customer Care Center at 888.685.1555 for Commercial Lines alternative document exceptions.
The health and safety of Citizens staff, our business partners and policyholders are of utmost importance to us. We will provide additional time for inspections to be submitted, including 4-point, roof and mitigation inspections.
For more details, refer to the Resources section.
Policyholder Notifications
Citizens will send a letter to notify impacted policyholders of the following:
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Letter 1: Citizens is offering to continue coverage for policies that were cancelled or nonrenewed effective on or after March 1, 2020.
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Letter 2: Citizens is offering continued coverage until further notice for policies that would have cancelled on or after March 27, 2020.
Notes
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An email identical to the letter will be sent to policyholders who have an email address on file.
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Letters will be uploaded to the Documents section within two weeks of the letter date.
Resources
To assist in our service to you and our policyholders, please note the following:
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Citizens and our operations remain open for customers and agents.
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Log in to the Agents website, and select FAQs to view Talking Points: Citizens’ Response to the Coronavirus Health Risk, FAQ 4170
Citizens will continue to post information about our response to COVID-19 on our website and social media.
Legal Disclaimer
Citizens provides agent communications online for historical purposes only, and the communications have not been updated to include any changes that may have been made after publication. Agents can find the latest information by reviewing the applicable underwriting manuals, and by logging in and accessing our FAQs, which are available from the top of any page on our website.
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