Ohio DOI Unveils Redesigned Consumer Website
Lee Covington, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI), announced today that the Department has redesigned its website, www.ins.state.oh.us, to be even more user friendly for Ohio citizens and has expanded the online information now available to Ohio consumers, agents and companies.
The site received a new look and important consumer information, and was made even more navigable than it was before. The new site features drop down menus allowing viewers to obtain most of the content in one click and a quick links bar for the most popular information.
Earlier in the year, the ODI’s website was awarded an “A” rating from the Consumer Federation of America. The new ODI website also features an agent locator application to allow consumers to search for agents/agencies by name, ODI number, city and zip code. Insurance agent applicants can submit agent applications online and be licensed within five to seven days. Over half of agent appointments are processed online.
A more comprehensive contact section enables consumers to reach anyone at the ODI by e-mail, phone or regular mail. A special monthly consumer tips feature and bulletins section highlight useful and important information.
The site includes a listing of all Health Insuring Corporations (HIC) authorized in Ohio and a county-by-county breakdown, which will be updated as soon as there is a change. Consumers can continue to review consumer guides to health insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance, homeowners insurance, Medicare Supplement insurance, auto insurance, and annuities. Ohioans can file complaints online about their insurance company directly with the Consumer Services Division, and access company premium information and complaint ratios for comparison-shopping. ODI’s website allows consumers to obtain information regarding Medicare which is available in English and Spanish and to locate ODI Divisional information.