Coronavirus Wrap-up: Property and Casualty (4/9/2020)
Coronavirus Wrap-up: Property and Casualty (4/8/2020)
An article in Claims Journal: Anticipated Coronavirus Claims Scenarios Across Major Coverage Lines discusses the wide range of insurance lines in which claims could rise, whether as a direct result of the pandemic or of social, institutional, and governmental reactions to it.
The Financial Times reports on two shareholder lawsuits relating to coronavirus that have already been launched in the United States, one against Norwegian Cruise Lines, the other against a pharmaceutical company called Inovio.
And, in a new publication, Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty (AGCS), Coronavirus: Safety Measures for Businesses Forced to Temporarily Close Their Premises, AGCS experts provide an overview of general security and prevention measures to help avoid physical damages.
An NBC6 (Miami) report highlights actions that some major insurers are taking to provide relief to their customers who are facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic. Said Sean Kevelighan, CEO of Triple-I, “In the insurance community, we refer to ourselves often as financial first responders and you’re really starting to see that kick in right now.” Some companies are allowing customers to delay payments without penalties or initiate a personal payment plan. A few are offering relief in the form of paybacks to customers.
Other recent articles related to coronavirus from a property and casualty insurance perspective:
Auto
A New York Daily News article describes the rebates auto Insurers are offering to their customers due to coronavirus-induced driving lull. Liberty Mutual, American Family and Allstate are among the companies offering refunds.
Triple-I’s CEO Sean Kevelighan was quoted in a Los Angeles Times column and appeared in a Miami NBC affiliate segment about economic relief for drivers.
A Winknews report discusses the assistance available to customers during the coronavirus pandemic and includes an anecdote from a policyholder who was told by his insurer that he couldn’t get an extension. Triple-I’s Mark Friedlander says this customer’s experience is not the norm.
Business Interruption
Triple-I CEO Sean Kevelighan was quoted in Washington Examiner and Santa Rosa, Calif. Press Democrat articles on business interruption coverage.
Artemis published this interview with PCS’s Tom Johansmeyer on silent pandemic risk.
The Financial Times reported on the growing controversy over how much companies can claim from their business interruption insurance policies related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cyberrisk
Cyber Perspectives on Coronavirus – Audio panel on the PLUS Blog
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and the Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) announced they are partnering to educate online users about scams surrounding COVID-19, and what consumers need to watch out for when surfing the web, working online, or e-learning from home. NICB and Cybercrime Support Network Partner to Warn the Public About COVID-19 Scams
Additional resources:
- Cybercrime Support Network Scam Alerts
- NICB ID Theft Brochure
- ID Theft Infographic
- FraudSupport.org
- FBI Urges Vigilance During COVID-19 Pandemic
- FTC: Coronavirus Scams
Flood
As local, state and federal agencies scramble to react to the public health needs of COVID-19, cities and towns must also keep one eye on the weather forecast and river levels, according to this Chicago Tribune article.
Workers Compensation
The Minnesota Legislature passed a workers’ compensation bill Tuesday to cover first responders, health care workers and daycare workers. The legislation is effective April 8 and is in place until May 1. Minnesota to Ensure Workers Comp to Responders With COVID-19
Triple-I’s Daily newsletter covered many of the preceding stories this morning. To subscribe to the Triple-I Daily contact daily@iii.org.
Coronavirus wrap-upLife/Health(4/8/2020)
A.M. Best Holds Stable Outlook on U.S. Health Industry Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis
Insurance rating agency A.M. Best said it is maintaining its stable market segment outlook on the U.S. health insurance industry, despite the impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. It cited:
- A trend of strong earnings;
- Strengthened risk-adjusted capitalization;
- Lower-than-estimated utilization and medical cost trends; and
- The cancellation or postponement of visits for routine care and elective procedures.
U.S. life insurers’ growing commercial mortgage portfolios may face virus pressure
U.S. life insurers continued in 2019 to increase their holdings of commercial mortgage loans, an asset class that industry participants say faces unique challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, S&P Global reports. The long-term nature of commercial mortgages makes them a good asset match for the long-duration liabilities life insurers carry. However, commercial mortgage loans could be under stress as the pandemic-sparked economic slowdown continues.
Calls for Medicaid expansion renewed as COVID-19 outbreak strains health care system
More than 50 Texas health policy and industry groups are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to expand the state’s Medicaid program to cover more than 1 million people as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19.
Coronavirus Reset: How to Get Health Insurance Now
Millions of people have lost jobs — and often the health coverage that came with those jobs. More still have had their work hours reduced or have received drastic pay cuts, so monthly premiums that may have been manageable before are now out of reach.
Estimated Cost of Treating the Uninsured Hospitalized with COVID-19
A great deal of uncertainty surrounds how the COVID-19 epidemic will evolve, including how many people will become infected and how many will become severely ill and require hospitalization. The Kaiser Family Foundation provides a range of cost estimates for the Trump administration’s proposal to reimburse hospitals for COVID-19 treatments for uninsured patients, based on results from recent studies and models.
Helping customers, employees and the community: Insurers respond to COVID-19
We’ve been following the initiatives launched by insurance companies to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus crisis (see Insurers Respond to COVID-19). Here are several more examples of insurers’ commitment to helping their agents, employees, customers, and the broader community weather the pandemic.
The Hanover has taken several steps to help ease the burden for customers, including:
- Considering a covered premise as “occupied” while mandatory closures are in effect
- Extending rental car days if a policyholder’s vehicle is in the shop and cannot be repaired or returned
- Paying additional living expenses to homeowners who are forced from their homes following a covered loss
- Offering flexibility on bill payment options for those experiencing financial hardship
- A 60-day hold on cancellations and non-renewals for non-payment
- Permitting business use of hired, non-owned autos for delivery purposes at no additional charge and extending personal auto coverage to individuals delivering food, medicine, and other essential goods at no additional charge
The company is also investing in relief efforts, including $500,000 to local non-profits to provide pandemic-related assistance to people and organizations across the country; donating critical medical supplies and masks to health professionals; and collaborating with corporate teambuilding company Cheeriodicals to deliver “cheer-up” gift packages to local hospitals to show appreciation for health care providers.
Liberty Mutual has created a $4 million fund offering low-threshold, immediate grants of up to $10,000 for 450 community partners – with priority given to groups providing healthcare or serving the homeless, elderly, and other populations deemed at highest-risk.
Liberty Mutual employees continue to be able to make online charitable donations that are supported further by company gifts.
The company has also enabled employees to work remotely and reports no impact to normal customer service operations.
The MetLife Foundation announced on March 31 that it is committing
$25 million to the global response to COVID-19 in support of communities
impacted by the pandemic.
The grant funding from MetLife Foundation will span all regions where MetLife
operates and address both short- and longer-term relief efforts.
“Supporting and protecting people is at the core of who we are and what MetLife stands for – in our business and in the Foundation’s giving,” said MetLife President and CEO Michel Khalaf.
Initial grants will support communities and people with urgent needs for food, healthcare, childcare, and direct financial support.
As part of this commitment, MetLife Foundation and other MetLife entities have already pledged $4 million to relief efforts in Asia, EMEA, Latin America, and the United States, including $1 million to U.S. food banks to help them deal with increased demand for their services as a result of coronavirus.
State Farm is donating millions of dollars to relief efforts, including Feeding America, American Red Cross, and the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund. Additionally, the company has also donated hundreds of masks and other supplies to local hospitals and teamed up with the Atlanta Hawks to help provide meals to vulnerable populations and healthcare workers in Atlanta.
State Farm has also transitioned most employess to work from home arrangements and has set-up a matching-gift program in which employees donations to qualified nonprofits can be matched by the State Farm Foundation.
State Farm customers who are experiencing financial hardships are encouraged to call their agents to discuss assistance options.
Westfield Insurance is providing billing options for financial hardships and suspending all policyholder cancellations until May 31, 2020, or as directed by each state. Extended payment plan may be offered to those policyholders. As of March 20, 2020, late fees also will be waived through May 31, 2020, or as directed by each state.
Westfield will contribute nearly a million dollars toward nonprofit partners, including the Akron Canton Foodbank, Cleveland Foodbank, United Way of Cleveland, Feeding Medina County, and Feeding America.
Westfield’s foundation is matching employee donations to their local foodbank or United Way dollar for dollar up to $50. The company is also working with agency partners across the country to distribute Legacy of Caring grant dollars for them to donate to nonprofits in their community who are challenged because of COVID-19.
As a regulatory/government solution, trade groups representing insurers have voiced support for the proposed COVID-19 Business and Employee Continuity and Recovery Fund. It would be financed by the federal government and provide essential funds to impacted employers and employees.
Tell us how your company is contributing to the pandemic relief efforts: communications@iii.org.
Coronavirus Wrap-up: Property/Casualty (4/7/2020)
Below are abstracts and links to recent articles related to coronavirus from a property and casualty insurance perspective.
Auto:
Less driving, fewer accidents: Car insurers give millions in coronavirus refunds
One of the largest car-insurance companies in the country and a smaller Midwestern auto insurer are refunding hundreds of millions of dollars to their policyholders, citing a dramatic drop in accident claims from Americans hunkered down in their homes, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Allstate providing more than $600M to auto insurance customers amid pandemic
Allstate announced that it’s providing a Shelter-in-Place Payback to help its personal auto insurance customers during the pandemic.
Business Interruption:
This insurance would have helped in coronavirus crisis; nobody bought it
PathogenRX, a parametric insurance policy developed by broker Marsh, Munich Re, and technology firm Metabiota, is designed to provide business interruption insurance in the event of a pandemic, Insurance Journal reports.
Wimbledon nets £100m coronavirus cancellation payout
When the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of Wimbledon it looked like game, set, and match against the All England Club. It turns out, The Times reports, that the club has insurance that covers infectious diseases and is putting together a claim potentially in excess of £100 million.
Insurers warn on forced payouts for uncovered coronavirus losses
World insurers told governments on Monday that making them pay out on losses suffered due to the coronavirus that were not covered by policies risked destabilizing the insurance industry, Reuters reports.
Considering a business interruption insurance claim due to COVID-19? Check your policy first
Insurance brokers say viruses and pandemics are specific exclusions in many such policies, which are often included with standard property and casualty coverage. But whether COVID-19 is the basis for a business interruption claim remains an open question as government leaders and the plaintiffs’ bar wrestle over the issue.
How social inflation may affect coronavirus business interruption losses
COVID-19 could produce a big increase in social inflation, according to A.M. Best. The reason: expectations that businesses will sue their insurers in an attempt to access their business interruption coverage for losses relating to the coronavirus pandemic.
After SARS, insurers changed policies covering businesses
SARS infected 8,000 people and led to millions of dollars in business-interruption insurance claims – including a $16 million payout to a single hotel chain. As a result, The Washington Post reports, many insurers added exclusions to standard commercial policies for losses caused by viruses or bacteria.
Flood:
FEMA extends flood renewal period
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it will extend the grace period to renew flood insurance policies to help policyholders affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. FEMA said it would push back the grace period from 30 days to 120 days.
Property:
Florida’s property insurer of last resort, announced it will suspend cancellations and non-renewals for the next 45 days.
Wildfire:
First responders are preparing for raging wildfires that they expect will consume thousands of acres and drive some residents from their homes in upcoming months. But this year, CNBC reports, preparations have stalled. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the country’s already strained emergency services, raising concerns over inadequate disaster relief during peak fire season.
Workers Compensation:
Catch coronavirus on the job? In Florida, workers comp may not cover you
Florida’s Chief Financial Officer has ordered the Division of Risk Management to fulfill workers’ compensation claims for frontline employees who work for the state, the Tampa Bay Times reports. But the order doesn’t include similar workers in the private sector.
Insurers respond to COVID-19 with host of relief initiatives
Insurance companies are working to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis by supporting their employees and distribution partners, donating money to global relief efforts and easing the financial burden on their customers.
Triple-I has published a fact sheet, Insurers Offer Forward-Looking Solutions for COVID-19 Recovery, which outlines how the industry is easing its customers’ financial burdens, working with government to create a COVID-19 Recovery Fund, and making sure it has the resources to pay future claims from events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires.
Here are a few examples of what individual companies are doing:
Allstate will automatically cover customers who use their personal vehicles to deliver food, medicine and other goods for a commercial purpose. Standard personal auto policies typically exclude such coverage. This change will allow customers to serve those who depend on their services and support.
Allstate also announced a special payment plan to provide customers financial relief. The plan gives auto and homeowners policyholders the choice to delay two consecutive premium payments with no penalty. In addition, Allstate is pausing policy cancellations due to nonpayment during the declared COVID-19 state of emergency. This includes Allstate Business Insurance policies.
Ninety percent of Allstate’s global workforce is working remotely. Allstate will continue to pay employees (full or part time) who can’t work remotely and have shelter-in-place orders during their normal work hours. Well-being services like telemedicine, prescription home delivery, and emotional and financial support lines are available to Allstate’s U.S. employees.
American Family Insurance along with the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, announced more than $4 million in support for COVID-19 pandemic relief and other non-profit efforts. Additional support from the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation is expected to push the total support to more than $6.8 million.
“The pandemic has left many struggling to meet basic needs while at the same time adapting to a new and unsettling normal,” said Maggie Pascaly, American Family community investment manager. “We want to help meet short-term needs of individuals, families and communities, while also addressing longer-term effects.”
The company’s employees and agency owners can support local organizations of
their choice by using a 2:1 foundation match offered during a six-week time
period beginning March 31. The foundation will match donations totaling up to
$250,000, for a maximum additional investment of $500,000. Organizations that
provide pandemic relief will be suggested for consideration.
Chubb announced that it is committing $10 million to pandemic relief efforts globally. The support will go to people and programs providing emergency frontline services and for assistance to the most financially vulnerable members of the community who have been impacted the hardest by the pandemic.
The company also announced that it will not conduct any layoffs of its employees while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis, and has added employee benefits such as additional sick days.
“We are committed to supporting people, business and communities most impacted by this global crisis,” said Evan G. Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our $10 million commitment will add to the urgent efforts required to meet the immediate health and nutrition needs of those most affected. Concerning our no-layoff pledge, we want our 33,000 employees around the globe to be assured that their jobs are secure at this difficult time.”
Travelers has initiated a distribution support plan to accelerate more than $100 million in commission payments to eligible distribution partners.
“As so many are facing a significant financial burden due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to show our agent and broker partners, many of whom are small business owners, our support at this challenging time,” said Alan Schnitzer, chairman and chief executive officer of Travelers. “Independent agents and brokers not only provide invaluable counsel and care to our customers but also play a critical role in the U.S. economy, and we are committed to standing by them.”
Bob Rusbuldt, president and chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, said: “Travelers has always been the premier supporter of independent agents and brokers, and the Travelers Distribution Support Plan takes that support to a whole new level. We want to thank Travelers for their continued industry leadership.”
The commissions being accelerated were accrued in the ordinary course of business during the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and accordingly, this program will not have a significant impact on the company’s results.
MAPFRE, an insurance company based in Spain, is allocating 54 million euros to support customers and suppliers. This is in addition to 5 million euros recently donated to accelerate COVID-19 research in Spain.
More than 90 percent of MAPFRE’s 34,000 employees worldwide are working remotely to reduce the risk of contagion and to guarantee service to customers, who in Spain are being offered a free advisory service to learn how they can take advantage of the support that is on offer.
Tell us how your company is contributing to the pandemic relief efforts: communications@iii.org.
Auto Insurance Premiums Face Downward Pressure Due to COVID-19
Stay-at-home orders and other travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have limited the number of miles being driven and have consequently put pressure on auto insurers to rebate premiums or otherwise provide offsets, S&P Global Market Intelligence reports.
While U.S. private auto direct premiums written have not declined by more than 0.3 percent on a year-over-year basis in at least the past two decades, the pandemic risks maintaining this record. Certain state regulators and auto insurers are now taking steps to give financially burdened consumers additional time to make payments.
However, the article says, those steps may not be enough as public pressure increases. The Consumer Federation of America has proposed that auto insurers provide monthly offset payments to consumers to avoid what it alleged to represent the “windfall” profits the industry would otherwise produce.
Related:
Workers Comp Premiums Could SoarWith COVID-19 Claims
Health-care workers and emergency responders will benefit from rules eased in some states around workers’ compensation that will allow them to collect benefits if they can prove they caught Covid-19 on the job, Bloomberg reports.
But employers need to be aware of the changing rules and be prepared for the likely end result—skyrocketing premiums.
State workers’ compensation boards around the country are amending rules for benefits payouts to include health-care workers exposed to the virus and then quarantined. Attorneys are keeping a close eye on the questions, such as who should be eligible to receive benefits, how does a worker prove they caught Covid-19 on the job, and how will an influx of successful claims affect businesses’ premiums to insurance carriers.
Some say essential workers like grocery store employees and delivery workers also should qualify.
Related:
Advisen: COVID-19 prompts a host of questions for workers compensation cover
Triple-I: Insurers Offer Solutions For COVID-19 Recovery
U.S. insurers are meeting the challenges faced by their customers, communities, and employees amid the COVID-19 crisis, according to a fact sheet released April 3 by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
“The nation’s insurers continue to work actively on immediate and forward-looking solutions that will assist its customers and communities in recovering from COVID-19,” said Sean Kevelighan, CEO, Triple-I.
The fact sheet, Insurers Offer Forward-Looking Solutions for COVID-19 Recovery, outlines how the industry is easing its customers’ financial burdens, working with government to create a COVID-19 Recovery Fund, and making sure it has the resources to pay future claims from events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires.
Immediate Customer Solutions: Insurers are offering payment relief and extending coverage to customers who are in financial distress while at the same time keeping its employees on the job to serve these same customers, the Triple-I notes.
Government-Backed Solutions: Trade groups representing insurers have voiced support for the proposed COVID-19 Business and Employee Continuity and Recovery Fund. It would be financed by the federal government and provide essential funds to impacted employers and employees.
Facing Challenges Head-On: Workers compensation insurers in multiple states are covering the healthcare workers and first responders who face exposure to COVID-19 while auto, home, and business insurers are setting aside the resources needed to pay the claims arising out of future natural disasters even as insurer investment portfolios have faced their own headwinds. A Triple-I non-resident scholar predicted yesterday the likelihood of an ‘above-normal’ Atlantic hurricane season.
Insurers have also contributed financially to food banks and organizations providing medical supplies.
RELATED LINKS:
Triple-I Presentation: The Impact of COVID-19 On P/C Insurance
Triple-I Publication: A Firm Foundation: How Insurance Supports the Economy
Triple-I Blog:
COVID-19 coverage
Health Insurers Waive COVID-19 Cost Sharing
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) this week became the latest major insurer to waive members’ cost sharing for COVID-19 treatments. The health insurer said it would waive the associated costs for members in its fully insured commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid plans.
UHC added that it’s working with interested self-funded employer plans to offer the same waivers.
Anthem announced similar steps, saying it would cover the cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment through May 31 for its Medicare, Medicaid, individual market and fully insured employer plans. The insurer also said it was “strongly encouraging” its self-funded employers to adopt the waivers.
Anthem has also taken other steps similar to its peers in the industry, such as waiving the cost-sharing for testing and tele-health, and easing prescription limits.
Aetna, Cigna and Humana all previously announced they would waive members’ cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatment. These insurers also waived copayments and other cost-sharing for testing and telehealth visits.
Regional health plans are taking similar steps. Florida Blue announced Tuesday it would waive cost-sharing for treatment, as did Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan.