Filing an Insurance Complaint

Filing an Insurance Complaint

Filing an Insurance Complaint

We pay for insurance to guard against risks that can upend our lives, and if those risks materialize, we expect our insurance companies to be there for us.  However, that doesn’t always happen.  What are a policyholder’s options when he or she believes an insurance company has denied a claim wrongfully?

Individual states oversee insurance companies doing business within their borders, and each state generally has a process for making a complaint against an insurance company.  For instance, the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner maintains forms for complaints, including a general consumer complaint form, as well as specific forms for complaints about pharmacy benefit management, life and health insurance claims, and property and casualty claims, available here.  The website also contains links to pages with additional information for questioning insurance claim denials, and telephone numbers for policyholders who prefer to contact the office by phone.

Similarly, the Ohio Department of Insurance offers a webpage with information about handling disputes with insurance companies here, including links to a complaint form and information a policyholder will need, such as details about the insurance policy and communications with the insurer.  The Pennsylvania Insurance Department also maintains a complaint form online here.

Unfortunately, filing a complaint with a state administrative agency has limitations, and can’t always completely rectify the damage done by an insurer’s inappropriate denial of a claim.  If you believe your insurance company has denied your claim wrongfully, a lawyer experienced in handling insurance cases can help make sure you get treated fairly.