What does it men when an insurance company is in "run-off"?

Question

My car suffered some hail damage last week, we can't seem to get through to the claims dept. of Kemper. So I got online and learned that Kemper is in "Run-off"! Is the company unable to pay any claims? Are they going bankrupt? Does this mean we will not be able to get our car fixed? SHould we seek another insurer?

Answer 1

afaik, "run-off" means that the volume of new business is not replacing the old business that is lost.

in the case of an auto insurer, this is probably intentional on their part.

your claim will still be paid.  they likely aren't going bankrupt.  your state insurance department is who you complain to about non-service on your policy.

and you'd be wise to seek another insurer.  the traditional way to make a book of insurance run off is to raise prices a lot.

Answer 2

Run-off means a number of things.  It could be that the Insurance Department found them insolvent.  If I remember correctly, the Kemper book was taken over by Unitrin.  Check their website, get a claims number and perhaps you can solve this through them if they, indeed, did take over your policy.