Insurance commissioner issues emergency orders to protect policyholders and bring companies onsite

Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder said her office issued emergency orders to protect policyholders affected by the fires and to expedite claims assistance in Spokane.

"The first requires insurers to grant premium grace periods for policyholders impacted by the fires and prohibits them from canceling them if they can't pay the premium," Kuder said, and added that the second order allows early prescription refills, grants health-premium grace periods, and protects people from cancellations while they recover. Kuder said the insurance industry responded quickly by bringing response teams to Spokane; she reported that 14 insurance companies were on-site at the disaster assistance center last week to help process claims and answer questions.

Kuder said her office has deployed staff and insurance experts to help residents navigate the claims process and that workshops on claims assistance will be scheduled in the coming days.