Hamm reports $5.6 million recovered for North Dakota consumers in 2011 Posted on 2/29/2012
BISMARCK, N.D.-North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm released a report today that shows more than $5.6 million was recovered or saved for North Dakota citizens in 2011.
This number represents money recovered on behalf of North Dakotans through the Insurance Department's hotline, through complaints filed by consumers against insurance companies and agents, and through investigations performed by the Department. It also includes benefits received through the Department's State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) and Prescription Connection (PC) programs.
New to the 2010 report and appearing again for 2011 is information on the Department's fraud investigations. In 2011, the Department received 120 fraud referrals, totaling more than $1.4 million in suspicious claims.
"Protecting North Dakota's consumers is one of the Insurance Department's top priorities, so I am very pleased that we are able to assist North Dakotans in getting this savings and recovery money that would often be difficult for them to achieve on their own," Hamm said.
In 2011, the Insurance Department hotline handled 7,200 phone calls, helped 115 walk-in clients and processed 214 formal complaints. The Department also handled more than 12,660 SHIC and PC contacts.
The complete 2011 Consumer Assistance, Enforcement Action and Fraud Report can be found at www.nd.gov/ndins. Consumers are encouraged to contact the North Dakota Insurance Department at 1-800-247-0560 with questions.
