Policy Limits Change Effective May 1, 2023
Good News Agents! The Oregon FAIR Plan is increasing the maximum coverage limit on all policy lines offered, which includes Dwelling, Farm and Commercial Building coverage. The new maximum limits accepted without additional underwriting approval is as follows:
DWELLING AND FARM: $600,000 (up from $400,000)
COMMERCIAL BUILDING: $1,000,000 (up from $700,000)
We are happy to make this change as it will allow us to be accessible to more Oregonians who are facing difficulty in obtaining home, farm or commercial building insurance coverage in the standard market.
For risks with values in excess of these newly published limits, you may contact our underwriting department as they may be able to negotiate facultative reinsurance to cover the excess limits. In these cases, please call our general phone number, 503-643-5448, and ask to speak to an underwriter.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Effective June 1, 2023
A general rate increase of 15% for all lines of business has been approved by the State of Oregon. While none of us like to see an increase in rates, we are proud of the fact that this is the first rate change we have taken since 2015! This change is necessary and will help us keep pace with an increase in claim frequency and ever-rising costs associated with building materials and the construction trade in general.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Premium Payment Options
We are now able to offer a couple of payment options on policy premiums over $200. (In the past, this option was not available.) Depending on the size of the premium, there will be options for a full single payment, a two-payment option and in some cases, a three-payment option.
Mailing Policies Direct to Insured
We will now begin mailing the Policy Declarations and related forms directly to the insured instead of sending them to the agent for distribution to the insured. Whenever possible, if we have an email address for the Insured, we will send the policy forms and Dec page to the insured as an attachment to an email. If we don’t have an email address, we will use the US Post Office and regular mail. Whenever possible, it is helpful if our agents will attempt to collect an email address for the insured.
Email Agent’s copy of Insured Policy to Agency
We will use email to send the agent’s copy of the policy (Dec Pages and related forms as applicable.) If you prefer, you can let us know and we can stop sending by email and depend on you agents to go online on our website and access any needed information for yourselves. Please let us know if you prefer not receiving an emailed copy of the Insured’s policy.
Credit Card or Debit Card Premium Payments
We now have the option of offering the use of Credit/Debit Card payments of premiums. There is also a toll-free telephone number for use by people who do not have access to a computer. See the link to use a credit/debit card on our Home page.
Online Quotes for Dwellings, Farms and Mobile Homes
Agents who have registered and have online access will now be able to use the Quick Quote feature for not only Dwellings but also Farms and Mobile Homes. We will continue to use the Accord Application for all Commercial policies, and we will be rating those in our office. Agents will not be able to use the online Quick Quote for Commercial Policies.