Connecticut Regulators Recovered $500K for Consumers Last Quarter

Complaining Connecticut consumers recovered more than $500,000 in claims in the first quarter of 2008, according to the state’s insurance department.

Those recoveries came from over 1,400 complaints lodged with the Connecticut Insurance Department between January and March.

That number, however, is actually lower than the typical 1,600 complaints fielded by the department each quarter.

Accident and health claims made up the majority of money recovered in the first quarter – about 46 percent, or $256,000. Auto policy complaints made up 30 percent of the total, or $165,000. The remaining 25 percent were divided among claims for policies for homeowners, farmers, life insurance, annuities, general liability and fire insurance.

Complaints to the department about insurers business practices are made in five categories; marketing and sales, premiums and rating, underwriting, unfair claim practice and other. This past quarter, 57 percent of recovery complaints were attributed to unfair claim practices, while marketing and sales and premium and rating each received 11 percent of the total complaints.

“The consumer affairs division staff are committed to helping consumers, and diligently work on their behalf,” said Commissioner Thomas Sullivan.

Source: Connecticut Insurance Department