COVID-19 Important Information
During these uncertain times, we have taken steps to ensure the safety of our staff and our clients, as well as to provide for continuing operations as an essential service provider.
We will continue to adapt policies and procedures to best meet the needs of our clients, provide for the safety of our staff and their families, and comply with all regulatory requirements.
Office visits / required transactions:
Business hours / Advisor connectivity
New York COVID-19 Regulations
Many of our clients have ongoing needs to meet to facilitate transactions. We have created a limited meeting space in the reception area of our Raleigh office. This space may be used by appointment only. It is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after any scheduled meeting. The setup of the space allows for compliance with social distancing rules.
If you have a personal face mask and writing utensil, please bring these at your meeting time. If you do not have these items, we will provide new unopened items for your use.
Our business hours are currently 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday. All of our advisors are linked to our office phone system and may be reached in real time if you need to connect with your advisor. Additionally, all of our order entry and trading capabilities are fully functional on-site and remotely in the event of a building shutdown.
A recent Executive Order issued by Governor Cuomo, together with recent amendments to the insurance and banking regulations (the “regulations”) issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (“Department”), extend grace periods and give you other rights under your life insurance policy or annuity contract if you can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the novel coronavirus (“COVID‑19”) pandemic. These grace periods and rights are currently in effect but are temporary, though they may be extended further.
Please check the Department’s website at https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/coronavirus for updates. A copy of the Executive Order and regulations can be found at https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20213-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency and https://www.dfs.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/03/re_consolidated_amend_pt_405_27a_27c_new_216_text.pdf, respectively.
State of NY Insurance Payments - Grace Period
If you can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, your insurer must extend to 90 days the applicable grace period for the payment of premiums and fees under your life insurance policy or annuity contract. If you do not make a timely premium payment and can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, your insurer may not impose any late fees relating to the premium payment or report you to a credit reporting agency or a debt collection agency regarding such premium payment.