Although we have been going through an unprecedented time during these past couple of weeks with the coronavirus, some insurance companies are responding with positive efforts to help out. Insurance companies have not only been giving back to their communities, but they have also been doing acts of kindness for their policyholders and employees.

There are a handful of insurance companies that are donating to relief funds and being of support to their employees and policyholders in response to COVID-19. Policyholders may be worried about paying their bills on time and many insurance companies are working with them to help get through it .

Below is a list of a sampling of insurance companies that are doing their part and showing up for the people who need it most. If you do not see your insurance provider on the list, reach out to your agent for further information regarding payment plan options for your and your family.

Companies featured in this blog:

• Lemonade Insurance
• Allstate Insurance
• Liberty Mutual Insurance
• MAPFRE Insurance
• Travelers Insurance
• Progressive Insurance
• Geico Insurance
• Farmers Insurance Group
• USAA Insurance

Lemonade Insurance

Lemonade has always been an insurance company that recognizes the importance of community and giving back. Social good is built into Lemonade’s business model with the Lemonade Giveback program. This year, due to the global pandemic, Lemonade is adding an option to the Giveback program that allows support towards COVID-19.

The Lemonade Giveback program is a specialized mission to donate extra funds towards non-profits of the member’s choice. Here is how it works: If a member has any unclaimed money at the end of the year, up to 40 percent of that money can go towards a charity of their choice.

Lemonade wants to be there for its community during these times by donating Giveback to Direct Relief, a charity that provides COVID-19 relief by providing personal protective equipment to medical professionals. Direct Relief coordinates with public health authorities, nonprofits, and businesses. Since Lemonade is working directly with Direct Relief, the company is requesting policyholders to choose to donate their unclaimed money to Direct Relief for COVID-19 relief efforts.

If you are a Lemonade policyholder, you can choose to designate your Giveback money towards COVID-19 relief. Lemonade is also accepting new policies to support emergency COVID-19 response.

Allstate Insurance

There are many things Allstate is doing to help people out during these times. First, Allstate is offering payment relief. Call your agent to see if they can set up a specialized payment plan for you that allows your property, auto, or powersports insurance payment to be delayed for 60 days with no penalty.

Secondly, Allstate has introduced a Shelter-In-Place Payback program. Since more people are staying home and there are less people on the roads and less car accidents, Allstate is giving money back to its car insurance policyholders in April and May. The amount of money Allstate is giving back equals more than $600 million.

On average, customers will receive 15 percent back, but it depends on your premium amount for April and May. The money will automatically be deposited in the bank account or credit card on file that is used to pay the Allstate premium, or customers can choose to receive it as a credit on their account.

Allstate is also offering Identity Protection for free for the rest of the year to U.S. residents. You need to sign up in April or May to receive this deal.

Additionally, if you’re using your personal vehicle to deliver food, medication, or other essential needs for commercial purposes, Allstate will cover you and your vehicle. This is typically not covered on a personal car insurance policy. There is no action required on your part; this coverage is being added to all policies in all states and will remain in effect for as long as your state has an emergency order in place.

Liberty Mutual Insurance

As their employees and customers have always been a top priority for Liberty Mutual, the time during this pandemic is no different. As many customers, and employees, have been affected by COVID-19, Liberty Mutual is offering policy refunds and flexible payment plans for the next few months for all policyholders. The company is extending payment due dates and waiving fees for those affected by the coronavirus. You can contact the company for assistance.

Personal insurance

Liberty Mutual has enacted the Personal Auto Customer Relief Refund for personal auto customers. This refund is 15 percent on two months of policy premiums starting April 7th. The refund will be issued by check or by the payment form of the way you made your most recent payment with. No action is needed to receive the refund.

Additionally, Liberty Mutual has stopped charging late fees and paused nonpayment policy cancellations from March 23 through May 22, 2020, or later if your state directs so. It is also extending payment due dates if needed. Call the company or your agent if you need assistance.

If you need to file a claim with Liberty Mutual, you can do so online, where you can also manage your claim. Liberty Mutual policy payments can also be made online.

Please note that during this time, Liberty Mutual has put all home inspections on hold for safety until further notice. Property inspectors may complete inspections outside of homes with homeowner permission and with following CDC guidelines.

The same goes for auto appraisers - they will not be visiting homes or auto body shops to complete appraisals except in emergency situations and with following CDC guidelines. Keep in mind that this could change at any moment so if you are in need of any of these services, call Liberty Mutual for the most updated information on procedures.

Business insurance

If you are a business owner, please read Liberty Mutual's COVID-19 resources page for guidance on how to protect your employees, customers, and business.

MAPFRE Insurance

Fundación MAPFRE is a global nonprofit organization that was created by MAPFRE insurance. The organization is donating millions of dollars for COVID-19 relief. To be exact, the company will be donating $2.3 million to Massachusetts frontliners and first responders for support during this pandemic. In the United States, the foundation is based in Massachusetts. This donation is part of MAPFRE’s global aid package of $38 million donated to medical providers and communities in need.

Specifically, the funding will be going to the following locations to help the medical community:

• Boston Medical Center
• UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester
• City of Boston
• Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
• Harrington HealthCare at Webster

The remaining of the funds are being distributed throughout various locations amongst 27 countries across the globe.

MAPFRE Insurance Staying Home Refund

MAPFRE has announced that it will issue a 15 percent return on the April and May premium to all voluntary personal auto policyholders in Massachusetts, which will toal up to about $30 million dollars. This refund will help individuals and families during these uncertain times. It’s expected that many people will receive an average of around $40 back. There will be a similar return in other states that MAPFRE is in business in.

Travelers Insurance

To assist customers during this difficult time of the coronavirus pandemic, Travelers Insurance has started the Stay-at-Home Auto Premium Credit Program. It will give customers a 15 percent credit on their Travelers car insurance policy premiums in April and May.

In addition to that, Travelers is also offering billing assistance. It has suspended all nonpayment policy cancellations through May 15, 2020. Customers will not receive interest, fees or penalties for late payments during this time.

If you have a claim, Travelers is utilizing technology and digital tools to best conduct the claim inspection process.

Travelers is also donating $5 million to COVID-19 relief efforts to assist communities throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The money will be distributed to various needs. Additionally, Travelers is supporting efforts for providing meals to those who need it, including meals for healthcare workers.

Progressive Insurance

Progressive fully understands the severity of the coronavirus and its toll on families throughout the country and world. Progressive has committed more than $1 billion to give back to customers, employees, communities, and agents in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers who have an active personal car insurance policy with Progressive at the end of April will receive a 20 percent credit at the end of May. Progressive notes on its website that the company may offer additional credits in the upcoming months as well. The credit is applied automatically with no action required.

Progressive wants to help those that have fears of losing their insurance during this time. To help, the company is offering coverage assistance. Beginning April 1, 2020, Progressive is waiving late fees and holding off on canceling or non-renewing active Progressive policies because of non-payment through May 15, 2020.

If you are unable to pay your bill in full or entirely, please contact your Progressive agent to see if they can create a specified payment plan for you. Additionally, if your car needs to be repaired but you can’t pay for your deductible out of pocket, you may be able to defer your deductible.

For the community, Progressive is taking action to help those at the front lines including first responders, health care workers, and delivery drivers. Progressive is providing front line workers with expedited roadside assistance, expansion of personal car insurance coverage for those that are delivering food or medicine, meal delivery for for-hire truckers, and a special claims process for first responders and health care workers that have a car accident, which includes transportation to work and expedited tow and vehicle repair.

Additionally, Progressive has donated $8 million to the Progressive Foundation for coronavirus relief. The donation will support charities that work for hunger, health, and homelessness. Some examples of charities supported include Feeding American, the American Red Cross, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Progressive also has efforts to help its employees and agents. The majority of employees are working from home, but in addition to that, Progressive is offering advances on its annual bonus program, advances on vacation days and paid leave, and covering co-pays for telemedicine visits and the cost of COVID-19 medical treatment. Progressive agents will receive an increase of support including direct relief grants to help with coronavirus challenges, education courses, and more.

Geico Insurance

In response to the coronavirus, Geico is giving back to policyholders by giving a 15 percent credit on auto and motorcycle insurance policies that are up for renewal between April 8 and October 7. Geico estimates that this will average about $150 per car policy and $30 per motorcycle policy but the amount you’ll receive depends on the cost of your policy. The total credit Geico is giving customers equals about $2.5 billion. There is no action needed to receive your credit - you will see it when your policy renews.

Additionally, if you are unable to make a payment, Geico is offering payment assistance by putting any payments on hold until April 30th as the company understands the stress that families are going through. If you are unsure whether or not you can pay your bill after April 30th, please reach out to your agent for further guidance.

If you are enrolled in AutoPay, you will still be billed on your normal date. However, if you cannot pay the bill this month, please reach out to your agent to put a hold on your payment.

Farmers Insurance Group

Farmers Insurance Group is reducing April auto insurance premiums by 25 percent. It is also making adjustments to help customers receive extra time to pay their Farmers insurance policy premiums. The company is temporarily pausing cancellations due to non-payment through May 1, 2020. Customers that have a mid-term payment due have until May 1 to pay it. Unpaid balances carry over to your next billing statement and will not have a late fee or penalty.

Farmers is also assisting with those that want to renew their policies but may not be able to at this time due to financial hardships. Farmers can extend your payment due date to May 1, 2020 and waive late fees. If you need this assistance, you need to call Farmers to request it.

For business insurance customers, under the Farmers Cares initiative, Farmers Insurance will provide assistance to business insurance customers with a 20 percent monthly credit on a Business Owners Policy (BOP). The credit will be applied for the next two months for businesses in the restaurant, office, retail, and service industries. Businesses may also receive payment assistance.

USAA Insurance

In response to the effects of the coronavirus in the United States, USAA is offering assistance to its members. All auto insurance policyholders will receive a 20 percent credit on two months of USAA car insurance premiums. This is effective as of March 31, 2020.

In total, USAA expects to return $520 million to its members. No action is needed to receive the credit. It will be applied automatically.

Important information to keep in mind

Remember: if you have the financial means to pay your bill, please do so as the bill will still need to be paid after the pandemic. It is important to not fall behind on your insurance payments if you can control it, as the payments will still need to be met after the pause period.

Additionally, some states have state mandated actions in place to help with relief from coronavirus financial issues that insurance companies are following. Keep yourself up to date with your state’s regulations that allow for additional time to pay for insurance premiums and check with your insurance company to see how it is responding.

Insurance companies can feel the stress and anxiety that their policyholders are feeling and expressing during this time. Many people are working from home, going to class via zoom, working with tight budgets, and dealing with all the stress brought on by the pandemic. There are many insurance companies implementing various actions to help their policyholders. We will get through this unsure, overwhelming time, and little acts of kindness such as payment forgiveness will help many Americans get through this time without having to suffer financially.

If you are shopping for more affordable insurance during this time, Clearsurance resources can help you shop for insurance. Visit Clearsurance's car insurance rankings page for a ranking of the top-rated carriers in your zip c

The content on this site is offered only as a public service to the web community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an insurance company or an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the insurance company or any individual attorney.