COVID-19 Information

We want to assure you that we take the health and well-being of our community, clients, and associates very seriously. Like you, we’re closely monitoring the quickly developing effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

Please note, our offices are open, and we are available to help you with your insurance needs. We are also prepared to serve you from home and continue scheduled meetings through phone and/or video meetings.

We are all in this together. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will follow guidance from public health officials and government agencies, so we can continue to support our clients and our community as needed.

For Businesses

While we hope for the best, we expect that many of our local businesses will suffer a financial burden due to the rapid slowdown of our economy. We would like to offer the following suggestions:

• We have spoken with many of our carriers and several have agreed to offer greater flexibility in payments for those affected by COVID-19. If you think you might have trouble paying your next bill, please let us know, and we’ll work with your carrier on your behalf.
• Our carriers have agreed to make any mid-term changes to payroll and/or sales in order to recalculate premium amounts. If you have changes, please contact your account manager.
• There have been many questions surrounding business income, so we have listed some helpful links below. If you think you have a claim or have additional questions, please contact us. Business Income Insurance… Does It Cover Coronavirus Shutdowns? & Coronavirus and Business Income Losses
• Cybercriminals are rapidly exploiting this situation. If you have employees working remotely for the first time, make sure any requests for funds to be transferred, or payments to be made electronically, are verified by a phone call.
• If you would like to review additional information regarding insurance, business assistance, Expanded FMLA, paid sick leave, unemployment and other relevant topics, please see the helpful links we have listed below. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info@shaferinsurance.com or by phone at 865.546.0761.

Links for important information regarding Coronavirus:

For insurance related questions, HR/workplace information and articles regarding cyber security and the Coronavirus:

https://www.independentagent.com/resources/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Webinar: Catch That Life Preserver – Staying Afloat During the COVID-19 Pandemic

What’s the Cares Act? 

DOL Temporarily Extends COBRA Deadlines

For local information for Knox County, including: business assistance, directions on filing for unemployment, and re-opening plans visit:

https://www.knoxvillechamber.com/covid19/

https://covid.knoxcountytn.gov/

For Individuals

As a show of support during these difficult financial times, some of our auto carriers are refunding part of the premiums back to the client. The pandemic and stay at home orders in many states mean that people may not be driving as much.

We will share info with you concerning specific carriers as soon as we have it. Thank you for your continued loyalty — and please know that we are always here to help you be safer with Shafer.

• Cincinnati Insurance Company: Cincinnati Insurance and Cincinnati Casualty auto clients will receive a 15% credit per policy on their April and May premiums – pending regulatory approval. No action is required to receive this discount.
• Frankenmuth Insurance: We will refund 15% of personal auto premium for April and May. Upon regulatory approval, refund checks will be issued for policies in force as of April 30. Vehicles included are automobiles, vans, and pickup trucks. The refund does not apply to automobiles in storage, antique vehicles, motorhomes, motorcycles, trailers, and campers.
• The Hanover Insurance Group: Returning 15% of April and May auto premiums to personal lines customers through The Hanover CARES Refund.
• Penn National Insurance: Pending regulatory approval, a credit of 15% will be applied to two months of premiums for those policies in force as of April 30 in recognition of the temporary reduction in vehicle miles driven. The credit will automatically be applied to the policyholder’s next premium balance or refunded if paid in full.   
• Progressive: If you have an active personal auto policy at the end of April, you’ll receive a credit for 20% of your April premium. They’ll offer the same 20% credit to active personal auto customers at the end of May, and they may offer additional credits in the upcoming months.
• Pure Insurance: Subject to regulatory approval in each respective state, they will provide a 15% credit on all regular auto premiums for the period of time from the introduction of state stay-at-home orders until they are lifted. As the stays are lifted, these credits will be paid in cash or applied to reduce any outstanding balance due to PURE. Note that, because their premiums for Classic Cars already reflect the low-to-no mileage of these vehicles, this credit will not be applied to Classic Cars.
• Safeco Insurance: Personal auto insurance customers will receive a 15% refund on two months of their auto premium, based on your premium amount as of April 7, 2020.
• Selective: Pending regulatory approval, customers with an enforced personal and/or business auto policy as of April 30, 2020 and May 31, 2020 will receive 15% of their monthly premium for April and May applied to their accounts. Credits automatically will be issued without action required.
• Westfield Insurance: Personal Auto customers will receive a 15 percent credit of their eligible monthly auto premium* for the months of April, May, and June 2020.  Customers with an active Personal Auto policy as of April 30, 2020, will receive the full credit to their bill in the month of May 2020.  We’ll take care of the paperwork; customers won’t have to do a thing.