Insurance Matters Topped Consumer Cases in Oregon in 2024

Insurance disputes led consumer advocacy cases in Oregon last year, accounting for 3,357 of the 5,445 complaints filed with Oregon Division of Financial Regulation.

The division’s consumer advocates recovered nearly $9 million in total for consumers in 2024, including $1.96 million in the fourth quarter.

Insurance was also the top complaint category in the fourth quarter, with 794 cases. That was followed by banking (48 complaints) and mortgage servicing (44 complaints).

Many insurance-related disputes involved claim delays, settlement disagreements and coverage denials.

The cases the department dealt with in the fourth quarter include:

• A homeowner received $122,633.50 after an insurer reportedly delayed payments for a covered sewer backup claim, initially disputing the estimated repair costs
• An insurer mistakenly overpaid a total-loss settlement by $3,571.57 and later sought reimbursement. However, after department intervention, the insurer forgave the debt.
• A consumer faced financial penalties after a broker-dealer mistakenly liquidated an entire account instead of single certificate of deposit. The firm ultimately reimbursed the full $1,617.03 loss.