Louisiana Department of Insurance Helps Policyholders Receive Additional $129 Million in Settlements

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced on August 5, 2022, that the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) helped consumers in collecting approximately $129 million in settlements in addition to the original amounts offered by insurance carriers during Fiscal Year 2021-2022.

Consumers who file complaints with the LDI Office of Consumer Services, which has staff members who analyze consumer complaints and work with company representatives to resolve conflicts, receive the extra money.

“Our Office of Consumer Services staff are hardworking and compassionate in their efforts to help policyholders get the answers they need and the money they deserve,” Louisiana Commissioner Donelon said. “Although we are approaching the peak of the 2022 hurricane season, our office has not forgotten about those still struggling after Hurricane Ida and the 2020 hurricanes that impacted our state. If you’re having issues with your insurance claim process, contact us for help.”

Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, the LDI received 8,819 complaints and assisted consumers in recovering $129,057,866 in additional payments from insurers. With 4,924 complaints and $100.6 million in recovered funds, Hurricane Ida accounted for the majority of the funds recovered through the complaint process.

The funds were collected as a result of formal complaints about property and casualty, health and life, and annuity products.

When a complaint is received by the LDI, a trained specialist listens to the consumer’s description of a problem, contacts the firm on their behalf, examines the matter, and assesses whether the company complied with Louisiana law and the requirements of the consumer’s policy.

Insurance customers can file a formal complaint by filling out a paper form or filing a complaint online by following this link. Louisiana policyholders may also visit with consumer services staff at the LDI in Baton Rouge to address their concerns and, if necessary, submit a complaint.

Policyholders who make a complaint will be provided the name of the examiner assigned to their case as well as a tracking number that will allow them to track the status of their case online. Depending on the complexity of the issue, the typical complaint takes 45 days to completely investigate.

The LDI also provides an online function that allows consumers to view the number of complaints made against insurance firms in Louisiana. Complaint data is available at www.ldi.la.gov/complaintdata and can be sorted by firm name, premium written, and complaint index, which measures complaints for a company compared to the amount of premium written.

Consumers who have questions or concerns should call the Office of Consumer Services at 1-800-259-5300.