Michigan Regulators: Consumer Complaints Against Insurers Drop in 2011

The Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) reported that consumer complaints against insurance companies dropped slightly in 2011, compared with 2010.

Consumer complaint statistics for insurance companies doing business in Michigan include complaints filed against carriers writing accident and health, annuity, auto, homeowners and life insurance policies.

Last year, the agency received 3,441 insurance company-related consumer complaints, down from 3,645 in 2010.

The OFIR noted that the majority of complaints do not result in adverse actions against insurance companies or agents.

In 2011, more than $5 million in additional claim payments, premium refunds, and policy rating changes were received by consumers through OFIR’s resolution of complaints.

Last year, 50 percent of insurance company complaints involved claim handling, 25 percent customer service and 14 percent underwriting.

Complaints were also broken down by type of coverage with 48 percent of insurance company complaints involving accident and health policies, 21 percent automobile coverage and 15 percent homeowners insurance.