Released: February 11, 2010

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced today that the Department of Insurance aided Louisiana insurance consumers in receiving $8.2 million in insurance payments from consumer complaints last year.

The recovered funds result from insurance claims disputes in which the Department 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. “We are serious about our role as consumer watchdog. I’m proud that we were able to recover so much money in insurance payments for our citizens.”

Consumers who feel they are not being paid what they should for losses as stated in their insurance policies can contact the Department of Insurance 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 details of that policy.

Any insurance consumer in Louisiana who feels they have not been fairly compensated for their insurance claims can contact the Department of Insurance toll-free at 1-800-259-5300. Consumers may also file a complaint online at www.ldi.state.la.us, 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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