PIA Lauds N.D. Commissioner for Helping Returning GI’s

The Professional Insurance Agents Association has issued a bulletin lauding the action of North Dakota’s Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman for his decision to assure that members of the U.S. armed forces returning from duty in Iraq aren’t unfairly denied insurance coverage.

Poolman issued a bulletin in response to information he received from insurance agents indicating that some auto insurance companies were denying reinstatement, refusing to write, or raising premium rates for members of the Armed Forces who discontinued their auto insurance while deployed, because they could not demonstrate continuous insurance coverage.

The bulletin said that such underwriting requirements “are inappropriate and should be waived” in the case of returning U.S. soldiers. “These servicemen and women, who have risked their lives on behalf of and in defense of our country, should not be penalized for their service,” it continued.

“Our brave men and women who fight for all of us should receive the heartfelt thanks of a grateful nation — not an insurance rate hike or denial — upon their return,” stated PIA National Executive Vice President and CEO Len Brevik. “There is a time and place to strictly adhere to underwriting standards that favor continuous coverage, but in the case of our returning soldiers these standards need to be waived.”