Insurance is a state responsibility, thus every state and DC have a government agency dedicated to helping customers like you. Each division is ultimately responsible for one thing: enforcing insurance regulations that are in place to safeguard clients. To do this, they perform a wide range of tasks, including licensing insurance providers and agents, regulating insurance policies and rates, reviewing insurance providers’ practices, and assisting policyholders with education and the resolution of grievances.
Several similarities exist, but the states have diverse approaches to carrying them out. While many state insurance departments have online presences, the products and services offered by them might differ widely.
After assessing factors including complaint data availability, premium comparison tools, consumer education, and customer service, a recent study concluded that the average insurance department website only scored 60%.
Based on your investigation, it appears that you might be a resident of a state with an exceptionally feature-rich insurance department website. If this is the case, you’ll have easy access to the data and tools you require to solve a sizable portion of your insurance-related problems. If you can’t find the answer to your question on your state’s website, you can try calling or emailing the appropriate agency. No matter what comes up, the following concerns and inquiries can all be addressed by your state’s Department of Insurance.
If you have a concern about your policy or a claim, or if you just want some clarification on the basics of auto, home, health, or life insurance, the insurance department should be able to help. In order to better assist their clientele, many businesses have set up dedicated customer care lines. As an added customer service feature, the majority of their websites have insurance buying tips, a glossary of insurance terms, and a FAQ area.
Several insurance departments also provide price comparisons and share complaint data, in addition to giving a buyers guide or advice on choosing the right insurance.
Although the cost of an insurance policy is based on a number of factors, these rate comparison tools are distinct from receiving a quotation. Yet they could help you find local carriers that have a track record of offering discounts to their clients. As an added bonus, several of these groups work together to share insurance company complaint information. So, it is possible to select an insurer based on factors such as the number of complaints lodged against them.
Most state agencies will let you file complaints against insurers online, and it is the responsibility of state insurance authorities to conduct investigations into such complaints. The insurer, the agency, or even a specific agent may be the target of the customer’s ire. Common complaints include the following: unfair claim denials, delays in claim processing, a refusal to provide insurance, excessive costs or penalties, unfavorable settlement offers, higher premiums without notice, unfair cancellations of policies, and charges of fraud.
Each state maintains a license lookup service on its official website. Just entering an insurance agent’s or company’s name will show you whether or not they are currently licensed. Also, you can usually find out if the agent or company was the target of any legal action to enforce a contract.
If the resource or information you need isn’t available online, contact the insurance division in your state. Your questions may be answered by the person on the other end of the call. If they aren’t an expert in the field, they should be able to direct you to someone who is.
If you do not think you have received the proper response to your inquiry, you can call or escalate your request just like you would with any other customer service. Also, as your tax dollars help fund this division, you have the right to request any missing services.
