State Insurance Department Saves Ohioans $42M in 2018

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Insurance helped state insurance consumers save or recover nearly $42 million in 2018, reported Jillian Froment, department director.

“One of the most important and fulfilling responsibilities we have is to help consumers understand their policies and to make sure their claims are paid in accordance with their policy,” Froment said. “We want to hear from consumers anytime they have questions or concerns about their insurance coverage.”

In 2018, the department handled nearly 6,000 insurance-related complaints from consumers, Froment said. Mostly mirroring national complaints trends, the top complaint reasons in Ohio were for claim denial and claim delay while the coverage types most complained about were health and automobile insurance.

One of the largest consumer protection agencies in the state, the department provides free information and services related to all types of insurance, including Medicare, through its website, toll-free hotlines, community outreach and counseling.

The department, along with investigating insurance complaints, also protects consumers by licensing insurance companies and agents, monitoring industry financial solvency and business conduct, reviewing insurance products and rates, and fighting insurance fraud.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.