On May 8, 2001, HIH America Compensation & Liability Insurance Co. was placed in liquidation. The liquidation order has triggered the Michigan Property & Casualty Guaranty Association pursuant to Chapter 79 of the Insurance Code.

While Section 7945 of the Insurance Code provides an automatic stay for six months on all proceedings "in any court of law of this state," the Office of the Attorney General has advised the bureau that this stay does not pertain to litigated claims pending before the bureau. The bureau has added Michigan Property & Casualty Guaranty Association (MPCGA) as a party to all known litigated claims and has re-issued notices of hearing.

Because the MPCGA has just been added as a party, the bureau and other parties to the claim should allow sufficient time for MPCGA to appear and defend the claim. All parties with claims against HIH America Compensation & Liability should put MPCGA on notice of their claim immediately. Notice of claim should be mailed to:

Michigan Property & Casualty Guaranty Association
17570 Laurel Park Drive North
Livonia, MI 48152

The Office of Financial & Insurance Services has advised that the last day to put the Michigan Property & Casualty Guaranty Association on notice for any claim involving HIH America Compensation & Liability Insurance Co. will be December 2, 2001.