Ohio Insurance Department Saved Consumers $24M

Ohio’s Department of Insurance says its toll-free hotlines, community outreach and counseling helped save Ohioans just over $24 million last year.

Consumer complaints that came into the department led to a lot of savings.

The department’s Office of Consumer Affairs says it received 5,500 consumer complaints in 2012. Many dealt with insurance claim denial, claim delay or unsatisfactory settlement offers.

The office recovered $18.9 million for consumer while the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program saved $5.5 million.

The department recommends that to avoid problems consumers should know what their policy says and to file claims as soon as possible.

The department’s consumer hotline is 1-800-686-1526.