Company Offers 60-Day Grace Period to Ministries Affected by Severe Storm in Christian County

FORT WAYNE, IND., December 13, 2018: Due to significant storms in central Illinois, Brotherhood Mutual is offering additional safeguards to affected ministries, including an additional 60 days to pay policy premiums. 

The grace period applies to affected policyholders in Christian County following the December 1 severe storm. Taylorville sustained the brunt of the storm, with an EF3 tornado damaging hundreds of buildings. Governor Bruce Rauner officially declared the county a disaster area.

The grace period runs from November 23, 2018, through January 23, 2019, but it may be extended for certain ministries whose circumstances warrant it. We hope that these measures, requested by the state insurance department, provide some peace of mind during a difficult time. 

Policies Remain Active

During this period, Brotherhood Mutual will not cancel any policy in the affected areas because of increased risk or late payments. However, policyholders will continue to receive regular billings.

Brotherhood Mutual’s finance department will monitor policies in disaster areas to ensure that customers do not receive a cancellation notice before the grace period expires. This action is not a “waiver of premium.” It’s an extension of the grace period that would normally be in place when premiums aren’t paid by the due date.

Some policyholders in the areas affected by the storm may choose to pay their premiums as scheduled, by either mail or electronic funds transfer. In all cases, Brotherhood Mutual will work with policyholders as they repay premiums that would have been due during the 60-day grace period.

Time limits extended

We’ll allow affected ministries at least 60 extra days to comply with any policy provisions that impose time limits. Examples include providing proof of loss, paying bills, submitting claims, and making repairs.

Other exceptions

We will also consider exceptions to our normal policy or contract requirements when the storm damage makes ministries unable to meet the requirements. During this grace period, Brotherhood Mutual agrees to refrain from canceling or nonrenewing policies covering affected property due to increased risk.

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact your Brotherhood Mutual agent or the company's Customer Service department at 1-800-333-3735.

Complaints?

Any customer with a disaster-related dispute or issue may file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Insurance. You can call their toll-free hotline at 1-866-445-5364 or file a complaint online at https://mc.insurance.illinois.gov/messagecenter.nsf. You may refer to Understanding the Consumer Complaint Process fact sheet provided by the state.