Insurance commissioner orders grace periods, insurers send teams to Spokane disaster center

"Since the governor declared a state of emergency last weekend, I have issued 2 emergency orders to help protect policyholders impacted by the fires," Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer said. Her first order requires insurers to grant premium grace periods and prohibits cancellation for policyholders who cannot pay because of the disaster; the second allows early prescription refills, grants grace periods for health-insurance premiums and protects people from cancellations.

Kuderer said insurers have sent response teams to Spokane and that 14 insurance companies were on-site at the disaster assistance center to help with claims and answer questions. She also described plans for consumer hotlines and workshops to help survivors navigate claims and the recovery process.