Michigan: Bulk of Insurance Complaints in 2012 Concerned Claims Handling

The Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) says consumers in 2012 filed more than 3,000 complaints against insurance companies doing business in Michigan. Complaints were filed against carriers writing accident and health, annuity, auto, homeowners, and life insurance policies.

Last year, the department received 3,184 insurance consumer complaints, with a majority, 51 percent, involving claim handling and 23 percent pertaining to customer services. Complaints were also broken down by types of coverage with 47 percent of insurance company complaints involving accident and health insurance, 23 percent automobile insurance, and 15 percent homeowners insurance.

Included in the statistical breakdown are insurance company complaint ratios. Complaint ratios are created for each insurer by dividing the insurer’s dollar amount (in millions) of annual written premiums into the number of filed complaints. The ratios provide a consistent basis for comparing insurance companies, regardless of size. Not every complaint filed results in a determination that the insurance provider acted improperly.

Insurance company complaint statistics for Michigan can be found online at: http://www.michigan.gov/difs/0,5269,7-303-12902_62295—,00.html.

Source: Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS)