Shop now to enroll in coverage that starts in January 2018

Utahns who need health insurance coverage on January 1, 2018 must sign up before open enrollment closes on December 15. Open enrollment is the one time during the year when all Utahns can buy insurance through the individual market either on Healthcare.gov or directly from an insurer.

“It is especially important to consider your options during this year’s open enrollment period,” said Utah Insurance Commissioner Todd E. Kiser. “We’ve seen many changes in the market over the past 12 months and all Utahns should take the time to shop around to find the coverage that works best for their families.”

Shopping around will be very important for Utahns this year. Pricing for many policies has changed and one insurer — Molina — is no longer selling insurance on Healthcare.gov. While Healthcare.gov auto-enrolls members into similar plans when an insurer leaves the marketplace, those members can select any plan available in the individual market. It is important for Molina members to take the time to find a plan that best meets their needs and provides access to their doctors. “Although Healthcare.gov offers federal subsidies and tax credits, they aren’t available to all Utahns,” said Commissioner Kiser. “Between increasing costs and Molina’s exit, many families will be best served by shopping their options both on Healthcare.gov and off-exchange in the wider insurance market.”

Shopping for insurance isn’t easy, but the Utah Insurance Department has resources to help. Talking to a licensed insurance agent is free, and they can help make sense of complicated policies and plan designs. “I always recommend that people talk to an insurance agent before they buy any kind of insurance,” said Commissioner Kiser. “It’s especially important with health insurance. We have an Agent Search tool on our website that can help Utahns find a local agent in their area.”

With December 15 rapidly approaching, now is the time to shop. “Whether you work with an insurance agent already or you visit insurance.utah.gov to find one, all Utahns need to assess their needs now,” said Commissioner Kiser. “Your opportunity to review plans and switch to one that better fits your needs will end on Friday, so do it soon, if not today.”

Press Release
Health Insurance Open Enrollment Window Closes Friday

The Liquidator intends to make a partial distribution of money owed to claimants by the Arches estate in the near future.

If you have changed your address or name since services were provided to Arches’ patients please update that information with the Special Deputy Liquidator immediately.

Updated information should be emailed to mkeithley@utreceivers.com.

FAILURE TO UPDATE INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN DELAY OR MISDIRECTION OF YOUR DISTRIBUTION.

Provides Consumers with Vehicle History Information.

WASHINGTON – The Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) recommended today that in light of the anticipated high volume of flood-damaged automobiles in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, consumers educate themselves about a vehicle’s history before making any purchase decisions. Overseen by BJA, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is designed to prevent concealment of flood damage and other vehicle histories.

After past hurricane events, authorities reported truckloads of flooded vehicles being taken out of the impact zone where they were dried out, cleaned and readied for sale to unsuspecting consumers in states that do not brand flood vehicles. It is currently estimated that due to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, as many as 1 million flood-damaged automobiles could potentially be passed on to unsuspecting buyers in the coming weeks and months.

The floods caused by or associated with these hurricanes have resulted in severe water damage to thousands of vehicles that can make electrical systems and airbag sensors prone to failure. Prior to purchasing a vehicle, NMVTIS allows consumers to find information on the vehicle’s title, most recent odometer reading and brand history. A “brand” is a descriptive label that states assign to a vehicle to identify the vehicle’s current or prior condition, such as “junk,” “salvage” or “flood” designation. By capturing into one system specific information from multiple entities such as state motor vehicle departments, insurance carriers, salvage auto auctions, automobile recyclers, and junk and salvage yards, NMVTIS offers states and consumers protection from title fraud and potentially unsafe vehicles.

“BJA remains committed to ensuring the consumer protection benefits provided by NMVTIS,” said Acting BJA Director Tracey Trautman. “We encourage prospective purchasers to consider obtaining a NMVTIS vehicle history report and have the vehicle checked by a trusted mechanic as part of making an informed used car-buying decision.” The list of approved NMVTIS vehicle history report providers can be found on the official NMVTIS website at: https://www.vehiclehistory.gov/nmvtis_vehiclehistory.html.

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Acting Assistant Attorney General Alan R. Hanson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. More information about OJP and its components can be found at: www.ojp.gov.

Press Release
Bureau of Justice Assistance Offers Resource on Damaged Vehicles

Review your insurance and home inventory to ensure your property is protected.

Nearly 1 million Utahns participated in yesterday’s Great Utah ShakeOut, an annual drill designed to help people prepare for an earthquake. In the aftermath of the mock-quake, the Utah Insurance Department urges people to consider the longer-term consequences of a major disaster.

“Time spent preparing for what to do during a disaster can mean the difference between life and death, but it’s also important to consider what happens after you make it out alive,” said Utah Insurance Commissioner Todd E. Kiser. “Reviewing your insurance policy annually can reveal gaps in coverage that could mean further trouble. For many Utahns, one such gap is earthquake insurance.”

Utahns should re-evaluate their risk profile at least once a year to ensure their homeowners policy provides the protection they need. Questions to consider include:

• Am I now at risk? Are earthquakes a threat in my area? Do I need earthquake insurance?
• What has changed in my home? Did the number of people increase or decrease? Have I made any major purchases?
• Have I updated my home with a kitchen renovation or other improvements?
• Should I look at different coverage? Can I save money by bundling my home and auto insurance?

A recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) survey revealed that 56 percent of homeowners have not reviewed their insurance policies in more than a year and 14 percent are unsure when — if ever — they last reviewed their policies. Nearly half of homeowners (44 percent) have a home inventory, but more than 40 percent of those homeowners have not updated it in more than a year.

The survey also shed light on generational differences to approaching home insurance. Compared to Gen Xers and baby boomers, millennials are more likely to have reviewed or updated their insurance policy within the last five years. Millennials also are more likely to have a home inventory and to have reviewed or revised it within the last five years.

Disaster prep guides from the NAIC’s Insure U portal can help consumers determine the best course of action before, during and after a disaster strikes. Visit insurance.utah.gov or insureuonline.org for more information.

Press Release
Take Stock Before Disaster Strikes

Proper insurance coverage can get you back to normal after an earthquake.

If an earthquake were to hit your hometown tomorrow, what would you do? Odds are that you have a plan of action that would help you survive the shaking and get to stable ground. If you’re a longtime Utahn, you probably have a kit to get you through the following 72 hours. But after those first few days, how do you go about getting back to normal?

“Suffering a loss as a result of an earthquake can be devastating,” said Utah Insurance Commissioner Todd E. Kiser. “But if you have added earthquake coverage to your homeowner’s policy, help will be coming.” Earthquake insurance can help with replacing lost property and the contents that are covered under the policy. Not all policies offer the same coverages, so it is important to work with a licensed insurance agent to find the policy that works best for your situation.

Many people do not realize that earthquakes are generally not covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. Earthquake insurance is a supplemental policy that covers the damage and destruction that can occur specifically in an earthquake. “I advise anyone who is concerned about the possibility of an earthquake to talk to their insurance agent about adding earthquake coverage,” said Kiser. “It is an extra cost, but it also means extra help if the worst were to happen.”

To practice for the real thing, Utahns across the state can participate in the Great Utah ShakeOut, a mock earthquake drill that will take place on April 20 at 10:15 a.m. The ShakeOut is an annual event that helps Utahns prepare for an earthquake. More than 970,000 Utahns have signed up to participate this year through their employers, schools, government agencies, and other organizations.

“Preparedness is key to surviving an earthquake,” said Kiser. “Earthquake coverage for your property and possessions is another level of preparedness that can help your family recover from a disaster that is becoming more and more certain over time.”

Press Release
After the Shaking Stops