Governor Adds to Disaster Declaration – Inside INdiana Business

(image courtesy WTHR-TV)

Governor Eric Holcomb has added four counties to a previously-declared disaster emergency stemming from widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall last month. The addition, which includes Jackson, Kosciusko, Newton and Porter counties, brings the total under the declaration to 26. Meanwhile, the commissioner for the Indiana Department of Insurance has directed insurance companies to implement a grace period for Hoosiers in the impacted areas.

The governor’s disaster declaration allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to provide expanded emergency service and is required in the request for federal disaster assistance. The IDHS will Monday open three one-stop state assistance centers in Lake, Jasper and Elkhart counties. You can learn more about the centers by clicking here.

Indiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Stephen Robertson is directing insurance companies to begin a 60-day cancellation moratorium for any policyholders affected by the rain damage. Those policyholders will have an additional 60 days to make their payments without penalties or their policies being canceled.

"As Hoosiers affected by the recent weather events struggle to recover from flooding, the last thing they need to worry about is missing a premium payment and losing coverage," said Robertson. "We hope granting this extension will help give them some peace of mind."

A news release regarding the directive did not include the four new counties added to the disaster declaration, however the announcement of the additions came after Robertson’s directive. Robertson said he is confident insurance companies will comply with the directive.

The counties covered by previous disaster declarations include Harrison, Jasper, Ohio, Pulaski, Benton, Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Jefferson, Spencer, Warrick, Carroll, Dearborn, Elkhart, Fulton, Lake, Marshall, Perry, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland and White counties. Those wishing to report weather related damage and do so by clicking here.