Poolman Announces $2.3 Million Recovery for ND Consumers Posted on 1/9/2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Poolman
January 9, 2003
701-328-2440
Bismarck, ND - North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman announced today that the North Dakota Insurance Department assisted North Dakota consumers in recovering $2.3 Million in refunds and benefits in 2002, the largest annual recovery since 1997. The figure includes dollars recovered through the Department's Complaint Hotline and Senior Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) programs.
"It is a priority of mine to work with consumers to get was is rightfully theirs," Poolman said. "This is a testament to the hard working employees here at the Department that are working every day on the consumers behalf." He added.
In all, the Department received and made almost 13,000 calls on behalf of consumers regarding various insurance issues. These inquiries resulted in 429 complaints against companies and agents. By volume, most complaints involve disputes over fault in automobile accidents, coverage disputes on health insurance claims, and settlement amounts on homeowners' insurance claims. Complaints against agents most often involve allegations the agent lied about the costs and benefits of the life insurance products they sold.
"We always want to be able to help North Dakota consumers." Poolman said. "When insurance companies legally owe North Dakota policyholders money, we want to go to bat for them, and we have been pretty successful in doing so."
Consumers with insurance questions or complaints are encouraged to call the Insurance Department Hotline at 1.800.247.0560. Frequently asked questions are also answered on the Insurance Department's website: http://www.state.nd.us/ndins/
