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Congress Is Poised to Pass a Historic Stimulus Package in Response to the Coronavirus

The Senate has agreed to a massive stimulus bill to counter the devastating economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly $2T will be earmarked to provide direct financial aid to help individuals, hospitals, businesses, and state and local governments—all in an effort to flood money into the U.S. economy that has been rocked by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The relief package is, by far, the largest in U.S. history. Michelman & Robinson breaks it down. (Read More)

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Navigating the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Critical Business Review Checklist

Given the continuing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and resulting market and marketplace reaction, you are no doubt feeling the effects of a turbulent economy. More directly, you may well be dealing with your share of business upheaval.

If so, you should be aware of your rights and remedies in the event of coronavirus-related losses, as well as any other obligations you may have as a result of the pandemic. Toward that end, the following questions, answers, and checklist of items that should be top-of-mind will be helpful. (Read More)

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SBA Loans for Companies Impacted by Coronavirus

Mindful of the challenges being faced by small businesses nationwide as they lose revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration is doing its part to provide support in the form of low-interest federal disaster loans available to eligible borrowers in designated states and territories. (Read More)

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The Number of Jurisdictions Implementing Stay-at-Home Orders Is Increasing Exponentially

Several new cities and states have ordered their residents to stay at home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Michelman & Robinson has already reported on such directives in California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York, and now several other jurisdictions are among those that have announced that they already have or soon will be following suit to some degree. They include: Connecticut, Dallas (TX), Delaware, Indiana, Kansas City (MO), Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (PA), St. Louis (MO) and West Virginia. (Read More)

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An Important Message From Michelman & Robinson About California Governor's Statewide Stay-At-Home Order

The entire state of California has essentially been placed on lockdown as Governor Gavin Newsom has called for a statewide stay-at-home order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. Governor Newsom’s move, which impacts nearly 40M people, comes on the heels of various “shelter in place” and similar orders that have already been issued throughout the state, including the “Safer at Home” emergency order declared in Los Angeles earlier today by Mayor Eric Garcetti. (Read More) 

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A Message From Michelman & Robinson About "Shelter in Place" Orders

With several counties in California’s Bay Area ordering residents to “shelter in place” for at least three weeks to keep coronavirus from spreading across the region, and Orange County (California) now following suit and preventing private or public gatherings, it seems quite possible that other jurisdictions may take these drastic measures as well. Whether you are located in an area now subject to a “shelter in place” order, or are somewhere that has yet to restrict movement, it is helpful to understand the scope of these new mandates, especially as they relate to your business.

(Read More)

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M&R Deciphers the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Just Passed by the Senate and Signed Into Law by the President

Today, in an effort to ward off economic calamity, the U.S. Senate passed its second economic relief bill this month in response to the coronavirus pandemic—the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("Act"). The Act, which passed by an overwhelming 90-8 vote and was then quickly signed into law by President Trump, expands emergency paid sick and family leave for certain workers, expands unemployment insurance assistance, includes nutrition assistance, and guarantees free diagnostic testing for the coronavirus. Michelman & Robinson addresses common questions about the Act in this alert, which supersedes our discussion of the bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Note that our analysis is based on the bill’s language as of March 18.

(Read More)

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Attention Agents: Fees Charged May Be Unlawful

Brokers and agents take note – an appellate court in California handed down a decision earlier this month that strikes at the legality of “broker fees” charged by agents. (Read More)

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FAQ: Disclosing and Charging Broker Fees in California

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) regularly receives a high volume of customer complaints concerning excessive broker fees or the failure to disclose such fees. The CDI intensively scrutinizes the imposition and disclosure of broker fees, and thus producers doing business in California must ensure full compliance with California law. Fortunately, the rules governing the conduct of producers acting as brokers are quite clear; if you use the appropriate forms, obtain the customer’s prior consent, and practice complete transparency, you will, in all likelihood, remain in compliance with California law.

Below are the answers to several frequently asked questions that commonly arise regarding broker fees in California:

(Read More)

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Arizona Legislature Fixes Insurance Agent Liability Loophole

Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, has signed a bill that corrects a major loophole that had subjected insurance agents who write auto policies to increased professional liability exposure. House Bill 2129 was drafted in response to a 2015 Arizona Supreme Court ruling, Wilks v. Manobianco, a decision that seemed contrary to statute at the time, and generated a great deal of confusion amongst Arizona insurance agents.

The new law effectively reverses the Supreme Court’s ruling, and provides much needed clarity regarding the protections afforded to producers when they properly execute an uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) rejection form. It goes into effect August 6, 2016. (Read More)