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Email to Clients RE: Coronavirus Response - Just sent to a bunch of folks

3/26/2020

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You are receiving this because you are a friend or are/have been a John Gear Law Office client.  

This is to share two posts I made to my office blog, which are to provide you with important information about financial protection during the aftermath of this unique situation.

http://www.johngearlaw.com/law-for-real-people-blog/please-watch-if-you-need-relief-from-your-bills-during-covid-19-slowdown 


That link is to my work blog, where I posted a good video of tips for preserving your ability to borrow during and after the COVID-19 situation. Created by a fellow consumer attorney in the National Association of Consumer Advocates. This may be especially helpful for younger folks whose credit is more precarious than elders who are more established.

The second link is a link to repost of a press release from Oregon concerning mandatory relief for Oregonians on insurance contracts and claims:

http://www.johngearlaw.com/law-for-real-people-blog/oregon-covid-19-insurance-firms-must-extend-premium-claim-deadlines-and-state-offers-help-desk-you-can-call-with-questions

I hope you find this information useful; feel free to forward this or repost these links. 

Note that this isn’t legal advice - if you want to consult with me about your particular situation, you should call to arrange a phone consult. (I wish I could offer them free, but the economics of my practice don’t allow it.)

ALSO: 

This crisis has made many people conscious of the need to finish their estate plans!

Note that Oregon attorneys are working with the state of Oregon to see if there is a way to allow estate planning and other documents to be notarized through remote video applications such as Zoom or FaceTime. 

If you want to discuss your estate planning, please feel free to call and leave a message with your number and the best time for me to reach you.

Even if we can’t get “remote notaries” worked out, it is better to have a will in place and signed than not.  (Wills don’t actually get notarized anyway - it’s the signatures of the witnesses that typically are notarized. Wills are valid if executed and witnessed properly under Oregon law.)
===========

The optimal outcome to this challenge will be reached if everyone assumes that they already HAVE the coronavirus, and that the goal for each of us is to prevent giving it to other people. Even if we might ourselves survive the illness, if we overwhelm the capacity of our healthcare system, far too many people will suffer needlessly, some fatally.

Cordially,
John Gear
John Gear Law Office, LLC
SalemConsumerLaw.com

A values-based Oregon law practice serving
Consumers - Elders - Employees - Nonprofits

503-569-7777 tel ~ 503-206-0924 fax 

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OREGON & COVID 19: insurance firms must extend premium & claim deadlines; and State offers help desk you can call with questions

3/26/2020

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State issues grace period order for insurance deadlines

Salem – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services issued a temporary emergency order today in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. It requires all insurance companies to extend grace periods for premium payments, postpone policy cancellations and nonrenewals, and extend deadlines for reporting claims.

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused widespread business closures, job losses, and social distancing measures. This severe disruption to business in the state includes some Oregonians’ ability to make insurance premium payments, report claims, and communicate with their insurance companies.

“During this crisis, we must all do our best to help Oregonians focus on staying healthy, care for their families, and prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner. “Many of our insurers have already stepped up and done the right thing. This order will ensure every Oregonian who needs it has relief from these insurance policy terms, giving them a measure of security and stability.”

Insurance companies must take steps immediately to do the following until the order is no longer in effect:

  • Institute a grace period for premium payments on all insurance policies issued in the state
  • Suspend all cancellations and nonrenewals for active insurance policies
  • Extend all deadlines for consumers to report claims and communicate about claims
  • Provide consumers the ability to make premium payments and report claims while maintaining safe social distancing standards

The order is effective immediately, and will be in force through at least April 23. If necessary, the department may extend the duration of this temporary order.

If Oregonians have questions or concerns about their insurance company or agent, they can contact the department’s advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll free) or visit dfr.oregon.gov for more information or to file a complaint.

For insurance and financial services information related to COVID-19, visit the department’s website:
https://dfr.oregon.gov/insure/health/understand/Pages/coronavirus.aspx. 

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Please watch if you need relief from your bills during COVID-19 slowdown

3/26/2020

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Fellow consumer attorney Ian Lyngklip of Michigan produced this helpful video that you should watch if you are stressed about bills during work interruption from COVID-19.
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John Gear Law Office LLC and Salem Consumer Law.  John Gear Law Office is in Suite 208B of the Security Building in downtown Salem at 161 High St. SE. That is right across High Street from the Elsinore Theater, a half-block south of Marion County Courthouse.

John Gear is only licensed to practice law in Oregon. This site may be considered advertising under Oregon State Bar rules. There is no legal advice on this site so do not take anything you read here as advice for your particular problem or situation. And I do not represent you and I am not your attorney unless you have hired me with a representation agreement. While I do want you to consider me when you seek an attorney, you should not hire any attorney based on brochures, websites, advertising, or other promotional materials.  All original content on this site is Copyright John Gear, 2010-2022.
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