Alabama Insurers Offering Suspended Billing, Grace Periods

Some insurance companies are suspending billings or offering grace periods for payments from Alabama customers affected by Hurricane Katrina, state Insurance Commissioner Walter Bell said.

AFLAC, Alfa, Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide and State Farm are instituting plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama has suspended billings statewide, Bell said.

“It is imperative that Alabamians who live in affected areas – particularly where there is no mail service – to make contact with their insurance company to see what relief is available,” Bell said.

Bell’s department plans to offer a grace period to insurance agents whose licenses and company appointments are set to expire.

Bell said agents who live in Baldwin, Mobile and Washington counties are eligible, as are agents from coastal Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana who have nonresident licenses.