Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced that policyholders in 43 parishes impacted by Hurricane Gustav will have until Sept. 30 to pay insurance premiums due on or after Aug. 30, without any late fees, penalties, cancellation or non-renewal.

In addition, he said that under emergency rules he has issued policyholders with health insurance coverage in the affected areas may receive out-of-network medical care and a 30-day supply of prescription medication without penalty.

Further the commissioner said that under temporary authority to implement emergency insurance rules that was granted by Gov. Bobby Jindal he was imposing the following emergency regulations:

o Insurance companies cannot cancel or non-renew any policy of insurance for insureds who reside in the above affected parishes.

o No policy of insurance can be cancelled or non-renewed because of a Hurricane Gustav claim.

Commissioner Donelon said Emergency Rules 24 and 25 require policyholders in the impacted parishes to provide their insurer with written notice in order to qualify for the protection.

The written notice must detail how the policyholder was impacted by Hurricane Gustav, whether by evacuation, displacement, temporary relocation or loss of power.

He said policyholders who experienced an interruption in U.S mail service must obtain a written certification from an appropriate parish or municipal authority to submit to their insurance company to obtain the protection of Emergency Rule 24 or 25.

Emergency Rules 24 and 25, can be viewed online at www.ldi.state.la.us. They apply to insureds in 43 parishes outlined in the Hurricane Gustav federal disaster declaration approved by President Bush, Commissioner Donelon explained.

Emergency Rules 24 and 25 apply to any and all types of insurance.

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