For Immediate Release:
May 24, 2019

Commissioner Mulready Calls for a Hold
on Policy Cancellations

TULSA – Storm victims with insurance will be protected after a bulletin was issued today by the Oklahoma Insurance Department. The bulletin directs all insurance companies to keep coverage in effect for storm victims for the next 30 days.

“The effects of the severe weather and flooding have made it difficult for Oklahomans to carry out every day activities, much less tend to their insurance premiums,” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “This is the time that storm victims need their insurance company to be on their side and why the Insurance Department is calling for a moratorium on policy cancellations.”

The bulletin applies to all insurance entities, including health maintenance organizations, accident and health insurers, third party administrators, discount medical plan organizations, property and casualty insurers, surplus and excess lines insurers and county mutual insurers. It includes property and casualty insurance, life insurance, accident and health insurance, disability insurance and all lines of coverage regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

Some key points of the bulletin are:

• All coverage for storm victims shall continue under all insurance policies for the next 30 days.
• Storms victims can get a copy of their insurance policy free of charge.
• Any rate increases for policies in the affected areas filed on or after the effective date of the bulletin will be deferred.

Media Availability this weekend.  Contact Liz Heigle.

For questions about the bulletin or to get help with a storm insurance claim, call the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 800-522-0071.

For more information, contact:
Liz Heigle
405-819-2221
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov

For Immediate Release:
May 8, 2019

Commissioner Mulready Offering Help to Storm Victims

OKLAHOMA CITY – In response to the damage caused by last night’s storms, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready is offering help.

“As Oklahomans assess the damage caused by a tornado in Kiowa County and the severe storms across the state, we at the Oklahoma Insurance Department are ready to help. If homeowners have questions about their insurance policy and their coverage, our Consumer Assistance division is here for you. We also understand that the insurance claims process can be overwhelming, and we want to offer any help we can to speed up recovery.”

If you need help after last night’s storms, call the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 800-522-0071. You can also find more information about preparing for storms and reviewing your insurance coverage at oid.ok.gov/GetReady.

For more information, contact:
Liz Heigle
405-522-0683
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov

For Immediate Release:
May 1, 2019

Commissioner Mulready Reinforces Preparedness
in Response to Recent Storms

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Insurance Department is ready to help anyone affected by last night’s severe weather and encouraging others to get ready for the next round of storms. This week, the Oklahoma Insurance Department kicked off a new preparedness program called “Get Ready.”

“Last night’s storms reinforced why we launched ‘Get Ready’ this week,” Commissioner Mulready said. “Being prepared for severe weather will give you peace of mind and make the recovery process easier. One of the things I hope all Oklahomans will do before the next storm is prepare a home inventory.”

Making a home inventory includes documenting all the items inside a home including taking pictures or video. For tools to start a home inventory, go to oid.ok.gov/GetReady.

The Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Consumer Assistance division is ready to help anyone who received damage from yesterday’s storms. Here are some tips for storm victims:

• Contact your insurance company to start the claims process
• Take photos or video of the damage before removing debris or cleaning up
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage

Another way to get ready is to understand your insurance coverage especially as it relates to roof damage. Read your policy, and if you have questions, call your insurance agent to clarify.

You can also call the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 800-522-0071 if you have questions about your policy or about the claims process.

For more information, contact:
Liz Heigle
405-819-2221
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov

For Immediate Release:
April 17, 2019

Commissioner Glen Mulready Says Get Ready

OKLAHOMA CITY – With storm season here, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready is asking Oklahomans to get ready. The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) is launching the “Get Ready” initiative this month to encourage people to prepare before a storm hits.

“We never know when the next storm is going to strike,” Commissioner Mulready said. “But we do know that preparation ahead of the disaster makes recovery an easier road. That’s why I’m asking Oklahomans to pledge to get ready.”

The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Department of Finance and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) are partnering with OID on the “Get Ready” campaign.

“The state of Oklahoma can only be fully prepared for disasters when our communities, families and individuals are prepared,” said Mark Gower, OEM Director. “Take time now to get ready by preparing yourself, your home and your workplace for severe weather and other common emergencies.”

“Those who are prepared for disaster are the ones who recover the fastest,” said Randall Ice, Barnabas Professor of Finance, UCO. “That’s why we’re happy to partner with the Insurance Department’s efforts to get ready for the unforeseen financial risks we face in life.”

Some tips to “Get Ready” for Oklahoma’s severe weather include:

• Make an emergency plan at home and work.
• Create a home inventory and store it off-site.
• Understand your insurance policy and know what it will and won’t cover.

There are more helpful tips and a free eBook on how to get ready for tornadoes and severe storms on oid.ok.gov/GetReady.

Commissioner Mulready will kick off the “Get Ready” campaign on Monday, April 29 at 2 p.m. with a press conference on the 1^st Floor Rotunda at the State Capitol. The staff at OID are also participating in “Get Ready” activities during the week of April 29. Activities include a tornado drill and a Q&A panel.

For more information, contact:
Liz Heigle
405-522-0683
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov

For Immediate Release:
March 29, 2019

Insurance Department Supporting Gov. Stitt
by Running OKC Memorial Marathon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready and his staff are answering the call from Gov. Kevin Stitt. This week, the Oklahoma Insurance Department signed up to compete in the Governor’s Relay Challenge at the 2019 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon.

“We stand behind the Governor and his push for a healthier Oklahoma,” said Commissioner Mulready. “This is a great way to support Gov. Stitt, the Oklahoma City Memorial and the people who were, and continue to be, affected by the Oklahoma City bombing.”

The Oklahoma Insurance Department has 13 staff members participating in the race which consist of one relay team and six people running the 5K race. Winners of each race category will be invited to breakfast with Gov. Stitt.

“We hope our involvement as a state agency will encourage others to sign up for a little healthy competition,” said Commissioner Mulready.

To sign up for the Governor’s Relay Challenge or any of the other races, click here. Any relay team will be automatically entered to compete against the Governor’s relay team.

The 2019 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon is Sunday, April 28. The marathon, half marathon and relay races start at 6:30 a.m. The 5K starts at 6:45 a.m. The start line is between N.W. 5^th St. and N.W. 6^th St. on Harvey Ave. in downtown Oklahoma City. Spectators are encouraged. You can find a list of best places to watch the race here.

For more information, contact:
Liz Heigle
405-522-0683
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 18, 2019

Five Organizations Unite to Educate Oklahoma Seniors on Fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY – Four state agencies and one association will host Oklahoma seniors this spring in a series of conferences to fight fraud. The Oklahoma Senior Protection Summits will be held around the state starting March 27.

Speakers include experts from the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Anti-Fraud Unit and Medicare Assistance Program, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Oklahoma Bankers Association and the Oklahoma Department of Securities.

“Fraudsters tend to target the senior population, and many times these scams work,” Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “The information seniors will get from these five organizations will be some of the most useful and helpful tools they can learn to fight fraud.”

“Protecting vulnerable Oklahomans is one of the most important priorities we have as public officials,” said Attorney General Mike Hunter. “These conferences will provide critical information to senior citizens in the state to keep them aware of fraud and teach them how to avoid becoming a victim of a scam. I appreciate the partnership between Commissioner Mulready and the Insurance Department, as well as all of the other public entities who are stepping up to host these events across the state.”

Topics covered during the conferences include insurance fraud, Medicare fraud, investment fraud, banking fraud and current senior scams. The events will be held in these five cities:

• March 27 – Oklahoma City, Moore Norman Technology Center, 13301 S. Penn Ave.
• Apri1 4 – Duncan, Simmons Center, 800 Chisholm Trail Pkwy.
• April 23 – Tulsa, Marriott Tulsa Southern Hills, 1902 E. 71^st
• May 2 – Mustang, Mustang Conference Center, 1201 N. Mustang Rd.
• May 7 – Owasso, Tulsa Technology Center, Owasso Campus, 10800 N. 140^th Ave.

Seniors can attend at no cost, and the event includes a continental breakfast. RSVP is required. Register online at map.oid.ok.gov or by calling 800-763-2828. Insurance professionals can also attend a conference for four hours of Continuing Education (CE) credit. The cost for CE credit is $31.

The conferences are partially funded by the Administration on Community Living’s Senior Medicare Patrol grant. To learn more, go to map.oid.ok.gov.

For more information, contact:
Liz Heigle
405-522-0683
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov

For Immediate Release:
February 20, 2019

National Tornado Summit Offers Unique Education in
Disaster Response and Recovery

OKLAHOMA CITY – More than 50 experts from around the country will share their knowledge on disaster preparedness and recovery at the 2019 National Tornado Summit. The 8^th annual conference will be held March 4-6 in Oklahoma City.

“This conference is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to discover how to prepare for the worst but also how to recover quickly and efficiently from all types of disasters,” said National Tornado Summit Committee Co-Chair Kim Decker. “We have some of the best speakers yet this year, including experts from The Home Depot, Walmart and Disney.”

During the National Tornado Summit, attendees have the opportunity to attend five general sessions and six breakout session in five different tracks: Adjusters, Emergency Management, Risk Management, Disaster/Special Interest and the National Severe Weather Workshop.

Some of the speakers presenting this year include:

• Jason Jackson, Emergency Management, Walmart
• Honorable Governor Frank Keating
• Sean Kevelighan, President and CEO, Insurance Information Institute
• Jennifer Mason, Security Manager, Walt Disney World Emergency Management
• Jeff Partin, Corporate Security, Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity, The Home Depot

The Summit also features a pre-conference Disaster Symposium on March 4. Topics include “Avoiding the Pitfalls of Public Storm Shelters” and a session for insurance adjusters on Xactimate training.

The National Tornado Summit is hosted by the Oklahoma Insurance Department, University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), NOAA National Weather Service and National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

“The National Tornado Summit brings together emergency management personnel, as well as attendees from insurance, meteorology, and other fields for a wide-ranging training opportunity,” said Mark Gower, OEM Director and National Tornado Summit Committee Co-Chair. “OEM is proud to take part in the Summit each year, and I look forward to the multitude of success stories, experiences and insights that will be shared throughout this event.”

The full agenda and registration information is available at www.tornadosummit.org.

For more information, contact:
Liz Heigle
405-522-0683
Liz.Heigle@oid.ok.gov