BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued what is known as Emergency Rule 27 - an order to protect residents who live in parishes that will receive a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government because of the flood.

Here is what it means for you:

1. The emergency rule applies to all types of insurance.

2.  Policyholders living where the disaster declaration was called will get an extension until September 10, 2016 to pay their insurance premium if it was due on or after August 12, 2016.  It is important to note you will not be charged late fees, penalties, cancellation or non-renewal of your policies.

3. The Emergency Rule suspends the ability of insurers to cancel or terminate policies during the state of emergency. An example, some policies might require either you live or someone occupies the dwelling.  That may be impossible because of the flood.

4. The Emergency Rule also provides policyholders additional time to submit documents to insurers for claims that were filed before the state of emergency.  Because postal service in some areas may be disrupted, or you just can’t send them off right away because of circumstances you won’t be punished for it.

It is important to note Emergency Rule 27 only applies to policyholders who live in the federal disaster area.  If you want to learn more about Emergency Rule 27 visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance web site www.Idi.la.gov.