Georgia Wildfire Insurance: Commissioner Bars Policy Cancellations Across 91 Counties — What Homeowners Must Do Now

# Georgia Wildfire Insurance: Commissioner Bars Policy Cancellations Across 91 Counties — What Homeowners Must Do Now

> **Quick answer:** Georgia Insurance Commissioner John F. King issued Directive 26-EX-1 on April 23, 2026, barring all insurers from cancelling policies for nonpayment across 91 wildfire-affected counties. A companion directive requires insurers to promptly handle wildfire claims. The moratorium has no expiration date and covers all lines of insurance. If you live in one of the 91 counties and cannot pay your premium right now, your policy cannot legally be cancelled — but you still owe the missed payments when the moratorium lifts.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Consult a licensed insurance professional for decisions specific to your policy.*

Georgia's wildfires are still less than 10% contained. With postal services disrupted across much of South Georgia, hundreds of thousands of policyholders face a practical impossibility: pay insurance premiums on time when you cannot physically access your mailbox, bank branch, or in some cases, your home. On April 23, Insurance Commissioner John F. King closed that trap. What his directive says — and what you must actually do to protect yourself — is not getting nearly enough coverage.

## What Commissioner King's Directive Actually Does

Directive 26-EX-1 is addressed to every licensed insurance company operating in Georgia. It suspends all policy cancellations for nonpayment of premiums across all lines of business in all 91 affected counties. That means homeowners, renters, auto, life, and commercial policies alike.