Frequently Asked Questions

cOVID-19

Click to view all call-in Q+A (Members Only)

Does Governor Wolf's business shutdown order affect my business?

CLICK HERE for the most current list of exempt industries and HERE for a FAQ document developed by the Wolf administration.
CLICK HERE to apply for a waiver if your business is subject to the shutdown.

What are the new paid leave mandates and unemployment compensation changes?

CLICK HERE for brief summary from the U.S. Department of Labor.
CLICK HERE for a FAQs document from the U.S. Department of Labor.
CLICK HERE for a PA Chamber summary of both Pennsylvania and Federal changes to the unemployment compensation system.

How do I contact the Pennsylvania Insurance Department?

To contact the PID, email Mike Humphreys by clicking here.

The Centers for Disease Control prepared materials to help decision-makers in government, industry, health care, and schools enhance efforts to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. One strategy to consider for Annual meetings includes providing proper hygiene and social distancing seating (6-feet apart) or to use electronic means such as webinars to prevent large gatherings. Here is the CDC guidance for your consideration: CDC Guidance

What guidance has the Department of Insurance provided pertaining to Annual Meetings of policyholders as required by company bylaws and laws?

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department provided PAMIC the following guidance for your consideration:

“The Pennsylvania Insurance Department understands that many insurers are required to hold their annual meetings in the near future and bylaws may dictate how those meetings and votes are to occur. As, the Wolf Administration has strongly urged non-essential businesses to close during mitigation periods to protect employees, customers, and suppliers, we encourage carriers and carrier boards to use their discretion in determining how to most effectively conduct annual meetings. PID does not intend to take disciplinary action against a company that employs social distancing strategies to host its annual meeting during a future financial examination. We welcome carriers to reach out to us with any questions.”

Is the Pennsylvania General Assembly considering a change in the law that would mandate that all business interruption insurance policies cover losses due to COVID19?

Governments at all levels are looking for solutions to mitigate both the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its economic impacts. The Pennsylvania General Assembly is no different. PAMIC was involved in a discussion over the last 2-days providing feedback on the impact such a law ould have on the insurance marketplace. Today, the General Assembly, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, and the insurance industry are united in our position that this solution is untenable for many reasons. As such, there will be no action by the General Assembly to move forward with and changes to our law mandating this coverage. Bolstering this outcome was the recent defeat in the New Jersey legislature on a similar provision thanks to the hard work of many people including the NAMIC State Government Affairs staff (Erin Collins, Chris Stark, and many others).

Will the Department of Insurance, Office of Financial Regulation accept paper filings during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) is unable to receive paper filings or hand-delivery at this time.

In an effort to prevent further disruption of the business being conducted by our insurance companies and other licensees, the Office of Corporate & FInancial Regulation will, for a limted time, accept filings electronically. Filings should be forwarded via email to your assigned financial analyst with copies to the supervisor and to Kim Rankin (krankin@pa.gov) and may be in Word, Excel, or PDF format.

We would encourage insurers to evaluate the necessity of the filings and to hold filings that are non-essential until further notice. If a particular filing is to be accompanied by a file fee, please include a copy of the check along with the electronic filing. The hardcopy of the original filing and the filing fee should be mailed to Financial Analysis Division, PA Insurance Department, P.O. Box 67330, Harrisburg, PA 17107

Is the Pennsylvania Insurance Department requiring domestic insurers to provide insight into their business operations and the impact COVID-19 is having on those Operations?

Yes, your PID financial analyst will be contacting all Pennsylvania Domestic insurers to update the Department on their plans to deal with the impacts the COVID-19 virus may cause to the insurers' operations. Here is the most recent update from Kim Rankin, Director, Bureau of Financial Analysis and Licensing:

“As part of our review of the 2019 annual statements, and given the current coronavirus pandemic, the analysts are asking our domestic insurers about their exposure and plans for business continuity given the pandemic. We realize that responses will vary based upon the size, complexity, and business conducted by our insurers. We are also temporarily accepting electronic filings from insurers. “

PAMIC has a unique benefits program for all members providing access to critical Human Resource information on handling COVID-19. Our Partner, Enquiron, has developed a thorough and thoughtful alert for you to use. In the midst of dealing with an emerging situation in the workplace, which can include natural disasters, mass shootings, or pandemic such as COVID-19, employers may have questions related to their workplace and their employees. This Alert is designed to address common questions that affected businesses and employers may be asking in the midst of such a situation – and remember we are here to help! Click here for access: COVID-19 and workplace activities

What emergency preparedness activities should employers perform in the workplace to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19?

Where are the confirmed cases in PA?

View the map

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.