Oregon urges banks, insurers to be flexible under government shutdown
Insurance companies and financial institutions should give Oregonians affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown more time and flexibility to pay bills and file claims, the Oregon agency that regulates insurers recommended Tuesday.
The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 after Republicans and Democrats in Congress could not agree to pass a bill funding government services into October and beyond. With 30,000 people on the federal payroll in Oregon, the Oregon Employment Department estimates about 10,000 of them have been furloughed or required to work without pay.
To help ease any financial hardship, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is encouraging the insurance companies, health care service contractors and state-regulated financial institutions under its jurisdiction to provide grace periods to premium payments, give more time to file claims, allow more time to repay of debts, waive late payment penalties, postpone foreclosure actions and evictions and negotiate with consumers experiencing hardship because of the shutdown.
“We know the shutdown has affected thousands of families in Oregon and we are asking our regulated entities to give some grace to those who have no control over the situation they are currently in,” said TK Keen, division administrator and acting insurance commissioner.
All accommodations should comply with state and federal statutes and regulations, Keen said.
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation functions under the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, the state’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. The division protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities and consumer financial products and services.
For more information about the state agency’s guidance, read bulletins 2025-8 and 2025-7 on the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation website.
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Mia Maldonado began working at the Oregon Capital Chronicle in 2025 to cover the Oregon Legislature and state agencies with a focus on social services. She began her journalism career with the Capital Chronicle's sister outlet in Idaho, the Idaho Capital Sun, where she received multiple awards for her coverage of the environment and Latino affairs. She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and international political economy from the College of Idaho. Born and raised in the West, Mia enjoys hiking, skiing and rockhounding in her free time.
