The Louisiana Department of Insurance Recovers Over $9.6 Million for Insurance Consumers in 2010

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced today that the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) aided Louisiana insurance consumers in receiving over $9.6 million in insurance payments from consumer complaints last year. This is an additional $1.4 million over the amount of funds recovered in 2009.

The recovered funds result from insurance claims disputes in which LDI was able to work with insurance companies and consumers to recover monies above what the insurance companies originally offered the consumers to settle their claims. Funds recovered are from formal complaints regarding property and casualty, health insurance, life and annuities, and consumer advocacy claims. 

“Our staff works diligently to see that Louisiana’s insurance consumers are being treated fairly by the insurance companies they pay to protect them and their property,” Donelon said.  “The Department of Insurance’s role as consumer watchdog is reaping nice rewards as evident with this large additional sum of insurance payments for our citizens.”

Information on inquiries, complaints and funds recaptured by each office is as follows:

Consumers who feel they are not being paid what they should for losses as stated in their insurance policies can contact LDI and request assistance and/or file a formal complaint. Department examiners review complaints from policyholders and determine if the insurance company has honored the insurance policy and paid the consumer what they are due per the provisions of their policy.

Any insurance consumer in Louisiana who feels they have not been fairly compensated for their insurance claims can contact the LDI toll-free at 1-800-259-5300.  Consumers may also file a complaint online at www.ldi.la.gov, by clicking on “Consumers” and then “File an Insurance Complaint.”  The Property and Casualty Consumer Affairs Division may be contacted directly at 225-342-1258.  The Office of Health may be contacted directly at 225-219-4770.  The Division of Life and Annuities may be contacted directly at 225-342-1226. The Office of Consumer Advocacy may be contacted at 225-219-0619.

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