BULLETIN 21-08 United States Postal Service Delays

[Northeast Agent]

From the NAIC on behalf of Maryland Insurance Administration

To: All Maryland Insurance Producers

Re: BULLETIN 21-08 United States Postal Service (“USPS”) delays

https://insurance.maryland.gov/Insu...21-08-United-States-Postal-Service-delays.pdf

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. In one instance, the Insurance Administration learned of a policyholder who mailed a payment eight days before the due date that was not received by the insurer for three weeks, resulting in a policy lapse and claim denial. The Insurance Administration was able to resolve that case in favor of the policyholder.

 

[Northeast Agent]

Agent Alert: USPS Mail Delays – Billing and Payments

American National Insurance

USPS Mail Delays – Billing and Payments

USPS mail delivery has been slower than usual recently, impacting outbound mail to our clients and inbound mail to the Company.

American National is committed to working with clients who have been impacted by a mail delay and are actively monitoring the situation. Below is information you may find useful in supporting our clients’ billing and payments experience during these delays:

• A notice has been posted to AmericanNational.com informing clients of the delays, and redirecting them to the Billing Page to explore other ways to pay. Options include making electronic payments via the website, mobile app or by calling in a payment by phone.
• A similar notice has been posted to the cover page of outbound billing notices mailed to clients.
• When available, postmarks are being used to verify mailing dates on inbound payments and any policies that lapse due to a mail delay are typically reinstated without a lapse if the payment was mailed on or before the due date.

Below is some additional, line of business specific information.

Life Insurance:

• The grace period for an inbound payment has been temporarily increased to 10 days.
• Efforts are underway to increase the invoice generation lead time from 20 to 25 days.
• Postmark dates are being verified on payments received in our offices and consideration given for policies that lapse due to USPS mail delays.

 

[LostDollar]

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