Over $700K Recovered By Insurance Dept Since July

HARTFORD — Third quarter results for the Insurance Department Consumer Affairs Unit are in. Commissioner Thomas R. Sullivan announced October 21, recovery of more than $700,000 for the quarter, bringing the year-to-date recovery total to $2,524,670.

“Connecticut consumers are coming to our office and getting results.” said Commissioner Sullivan.

The Consumer Affairs Unit received 1,696 complaints this quarter, which is in line with quarterly averages. Incoming complaints vary by product lines. More than half (51 percent) of all incoming complaints in the third quarter were related to accident and health product lines. The remaining complaints were related to auto (25 percent), homeowners (11 percent), life and annuities (8 percent), general liability (3 percent), and fire (1 percent).

Not all inquires or complaints submitted to the Insurance Department result in recovery for consumers. This quarter, there were 139 complaints that resulted in recovery for consumers. The bulk of recovery dollars, $230,306 (33 percent), came from complaints related to general liability product lines. Another $138,703 (20 percent) was related to accident and health product lines, $95,078 (13 percent) was related to life and annuities product lines, and $69,193 (10 percent) was related to homeowners product lines.

The Department’s Consumer Affairs Unit tracks complaints in five categories (marketing/sales, premium/rating, underwriting, unfair claim practice, and other), and looks for trends in complaint activity. In the third quarter, the majority of complaints (40 percent) were related to unfair claim practices, while 11 percent related to marketing/sales, 7 percent related to premium/rating; and 5 percent related to underwriting.

Consumers interested in filing a complaint, may call toll free 800-203-3447 or direct at 860-297-3900.