Kan. Department Says Recoveries Were $15.1 Million in 2007

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger says her office collected a record $15.1 million last year for consumers in disputes with insurance companies.

Praeger said the previous record was $13.6 million, set in 2005.

The increase in recoveries for consumers occurred even though the Insurance Department received fewer complaints for the fourth consecutive year. There were more than 5,000 complaints in 2004, and the figure dropped to about 4,400 last year.

Praeger told The Wichita Eagle that she thinks the drop in complaints is a result of customers knowing more about their rights and the limitations of their policies and more aggressive enforcement by her department.

Praeger is also the current president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.