Foremost Permits Unoccupancy for Those Deployed for War

NU Online News Service, April 7, 4:30 p.m.EST?A homeowners insurer is relaxing its non-occupancypricing and claim payment rules to benefit people being deployedfor war.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Foremost Insurance Group, which writesmobile home and non-standard homeowners coverage, will continue toinsure homes that are unoccupied because of military service, withno rate increases or claim penalties. Normally, the insurer wouldraise the premium on such policies to account for the higher risksof unoccupancy, and limit claim payments for losses occurringduring the period of unoccupancy.

"What this boils down to is cost savings for our customers whoare serving," said John Johnson, senior vice president of Foremost,in a statement. "We want to give those serving our country thepeace-of-mind that their investment is insured without the threatof no insurance, or the possibility of an increased premium ordiminished claim payment."

Policies of those deployed who must temporarily leave theirhomes will carry a special notation not to impose an unoccupanypenalty if there is a claim, Mr. Johnson noted.