State Department of Insurance saved Ohioans $42 million in 2018
National Consumer Protection Week March 3-9
State Department of Insurance Saved Ohioans $42 Million in 2018
Claim denial top consumer complaint
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In advance of National Consumer Protection Week, March 3-9, Department of Insurance director Jillian Froment announced that the department helped Ohio insurance consumers save or recover nearly $42 million in 2018.
“One of the most important and fulfilling responsibilities we have is to help consumers understand their policies and to make sure their claims are paid in accordance with their policy,” Froment said. “We want to hear from consumers anytime they have questions or concerns about their insurance coverage.”
In 2018, the department handled nearly 6,000 insurance-related complaints from consumers, Froment said. Mostly mirroring national complaints trends, the top complaint reasons in Ohio were for claim denial and claim delay while the coverage types most complained about were health insurance and automobile insurance. People who do complain about the insurance they have may start to look elsewhere for deals as they do not want to stick with the same company and policy. This will mean a lot of research will need to be done into areas such as final expense life insurance as well as specific car model insurance, the list is endless for change.
One of the largest consumer protection agencies in the state, the department provides free information and services related to all types of insurance, including Medicare, through its website, toll-free hotlines, community outreach, counseling, and more.
The department, along with investigating insurance complaints, also protects consumers by licensing insurance companies and agents, monitoring industry financial solvency and business conduct, reviewing insurance products and rates, and fighting insurance fraud.
Consumers can contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at 1-800-686-1526 or at 1-800-686-1578 for help navigating Medicare. Information and services are also available at www.insurance.ohio.gov.
