Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Oklahoma City – Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak issued an emergency order Tuesday that will enable licensed out-of-state claims adjustors to immediately assist Oklahomans who suffered damage and losses from this week’s winter storm.
"This order will help Oklahomans begin to recover from the winter storm by permitting Oklahoma insurers to bring licensed adjustors from out-of-state to assist in the claims process."
Under the order, emergency adjustors are permitted only to adjust storm-related claims for the next 90 days. At the end of that time period, the situation will be reevaluated and a determination made whether to extend the order.
Deputy Commissioner of Administration Paul Wilkening met with emergency management officials in Tulsa prior to the storm Monday and briefed Doak on their efforts.
"Their focus, of course, was on preparing for the storm and keeping everyone safe. Now that the storm has passed, everyone’s attention turns to damage assessment and recovery," Doak said. "Undoubtedly, a number of individual Oklahomans and businesses will need the assistance of their insurers to recover from damage caused by this storm. This order will help expedite that process."
On Tuesday, Doak announced the formation of a catastrophe response task force to help the department address issues affecting Oklahomans and their insurers as a result of the storm. Deputy Commissioner Wilkening was appointed by Doak to be the Insurance Department’s representative on the task force.
"This order is the first of what I expect to be several steps we will take to help the insurance industry and insurance consumers in the coming days, weeks and perhaps even months," said
Doak. "That is the purpose of the Insurance Department and it is something I am glad we were able to do."
The order can be viewed at: http://www.ok.gov/oid/News_and_Events/Notices/Legal_Notices/index.html. The page also contains a link that allows out-of-state adjustors to apply for a catastrophe emergency adjuster license.
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ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
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For more information contact:
Shawn Ashley
(405) 521-4525
(405) 568-6004
e-mail: shawn.ashley@oid.ok.gov