Indiana Records $20M in Insurance Recoveries for 2009; N.D. Nearly $7.6M

The Indiana Department of Insurance says it recovered more than $20 million for insurance consumers in 2009, a record for the state.

In North Dakota, the insurance department reported $7,578,230.11 was recovered or saved for North Dakota citizens in 2009.

The Indian DOI said the recoveries represent fines, judgments, restitution and claim payments assessed against insurance companies and agents.

North Dakota Commissioner Adam Hamm said the millions recovered in his state stemmed from complaints filed by consumers against insurance companies and agents, and through investigations performed by the department. It also includes benefits received through the Department’s State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) and Prescription Connection (PC) programs.

Of the $7.58 million total in North Dakota, more than $6 million was relief through SHIC and PC.

In 2009, the North Dakota Insurance Department hotline handled nearly 8,500 phone calls, helped 157 walk-in clients and processed 264 formal complaints. The department also handled more than 18,500 SHIC contacts and 2,500 PC contacts. The number of SHIC contacts is a 16 percent increase over 2008.

Sources: Indiana and North Dakota Insurance Departments