Insurance
Department Warns Against In-Person Sales After Governor’s Order Closing All
Non-Life Sustaining Businesses
Harrisburg,
PA
– Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman today cautioned
Pennsylvania’s insurance licensees that in-person sales and brokerage are
prohibited by Governor Wolf’s order closing all
non-life sustaining businesses in the Commonwealth to slow the spread
COVID-19. The Department intends to pursue disciplinary action against any
licensee that violates the order.
“Governor
Wolf’s order closing all non-life sustaining businesses has been an
important step in the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Altman.
“While insurance is considered a life-sustaining business, especially
during the unprecedented health crisis that we’re experiencing today,
in-person sales and brokerage are not designated as life-sustaining, and
have a detrimental effect on the safety and well-being of all
Pennsylvanians.”
Per
Governor Wolf’s order, businesses that were non-life sustaining were
ordered to close their physical locations on March 19, at 8:00 PM.
Enforcement of this action became effective on Monday, March 23, at 8:00
AM.
Any
insurance licensees found to be in violation of this order by offering
in-person sales and brokerage will receive a letter of violation from the
Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), and the violation will be
forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Police for further prosecution.
Continued
violation of the governor’s order through in-person sales and brokerage may
be considered by the Department in evaluating a licensee’s worthiness to
hold a license in the Commonwealth and will result in immediate
administrative prosecution by PID. Penalties under such prosecution may
include revoking insurance licenses, and civil monetary penalties.
“These
actions are necessary to ensure the protection and safety of Commonwealth
residents,” said Altman. “A quick and effective response will help to stop
the spread of the illness in Pennsylvania, and everyone, including insurers
and insurance agents, need to be a part of that response. Pennsylvanians
are encouraged to immediately contact the department if they receive an
unexpected in-person solicitation at their home or life-sustaining
business.”
Pursuant
to the Emergency Management Services Code, the governor is granted extraordinary
powers upon his declaration
of a disaster emergency, such as COVID-19. Among these powers,
the governor may control the ingress and egress into the disaster
area, the movement of persons, and the occupancy of premises within the
disaster area, which has been established to be the entire commonwealth for
the COVID-19 disaster emergency.
For
up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, visit the PA Department
of Health's dedicated Coronavirus
webpage
that is updated daily.
If
a consumer receives an unexpected bill related to COVID-19 or other
healthcare services, they are encouraged to contact the Insurance
Department at 1-877-881-6388.
Updated
Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics
For
the daily COVID-19 Report, visit here.
For
all press releases regarding coronavirus, please visit here.
Find
the latest information on the coronavirus here.
Photos
of the state's lab in Exton are available for download and use here.
Coronavirus
and preparedness graphics are available here near the bottom of the page: On.pa.gov/coronavirus
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