As it continues to serve customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Intact Financial will be implementing a number of relief measures.

The insurer is encouraging both Intact and belairdirect customers who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the outbreak to contact their broker to discuss the following relief measures:

• Waiving of missed payment fees.
• Payment deferrals.
• Premium adjustments – for those who are ill, or have lost their jobs – to reflect changes in personal and commercial auto usage.
• Flexibility for those customers who are using their cars and homes during the crisis for different purposes, such as making deliveries and running a business from home.
• Premium adjustments for SME clients that are now closed or have been severely impacted from a sales receipt and payroll perspective.

In addition to offering flexible options to customers affected by COVID-19, Intact Financial will be offering over $2 million to serve the immediate needs of those who are “most vulnerable to the social, health and economic effects of this pandemic,” the company said in a release. This amount includes a $500,000 donation to the Breakfast Clubs of Canada, and another US$500,000 to Feed America and local charities in 22 communities across the US where Intact operates.

Intact Financial is also allowing 98% of its employees to work from home, to keep them protected while ensuring the safety of the “small number” of individuals who are still in the office to issue claim payments and policy renewals. The company is also maintaining a skeletal staff for its vital auto service centres.

“Intact exists to help people do well in good times and be resilient in bad times,” said Intact Financial CEO Charles Brindamour. “Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is our number one priority. We are working around the clock to remain responsive. We are reviewing the impact of this crisis with our customers and brokers and taking a problem-solving approach as we work through these situations on a case by case basis.”