Need Help with Insurance? Your Insurance Department is Here for You

Understanding the Role of Insurance Departments

Every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories have a Department of Insurance (DOI) dedicated to helping consumers. While these agencies may use different names such as Insurance Division, Insurance Administration, or Office of the Insurance Commissioner, they all serve as an important resource for insurance-related questions and assistance.

A Free Resource for Questions and Assistance

Insurance departments are a free public resource that can answer questions, help resolve problems, and support consumers in making informed insurance decisions. The services available may vary by state or territory, but each department is committed to helping consumers understand and navigate insurance-related issues.

Protecting Consumers and Promoting Fair Insurance Markets

Insurance regulators promote fair market practices and help ensure insurance companies remain financially capable of paying claims. The scope of regulatory authority differs by state or territory, but all insurance departments work to protect consumers and support a stable insurance marketplace.

How Can My Insurance Department Help?

Answers and Guidance

Get help understanding policy terms, coverage options, cancellations and non-renewals, and your rights as a policyholder.

Complaint Assistance

If your insurer unfairly delays or denies your claim, or does not honor your policy or state law, your DOI can investigate the issue. If a company breaks the rules, the DOI can take enforcement action.

Learn How to File Complaint

Consumer Education

Find resources such as buyer’s guides, comparison tools, disaster checklists, and tips to avoid scams so you can make confident choices. 

Licensing and Verification

Insurance regulators license insurance companies, agents, and adjusters. Some DOIs offer online tools to help verify credentials before you buy a policy.

Blue courthouse with judge hammer and dollar sign

Financial Oversight

Regulators monitor insurers’ financial health and enforce standards to ensure companies are financially stable enough to pay claims.

Blue magnifying glass with criminal in the middle

Fraud Response 

DOIs investigate or coordinate investigations of suspected insurance fraud by companies, agents, or consumers, as authorized by state law.

Report Suspected Fraud

Disaster Assistance

After natural catastrophes such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or storms, DOIs often issue consumer bulletins, set insurance company claims-handling expectations, and provide mitigation and recovery information.

Unpaid Benefits

If you are a beneficiary and believe a life insurance policy may exist, your DOI can guide you to search tools and help you locate potential benefits. The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is a resource you can reference to search for policies from participating companies.

Search for Policy

Contact

Find contact information for insurance departments.

Find Contacts

When to Reach Out and What to Expect

When They Can Assist You

Want to understand more about insurance and coverage.
Think your claim may be wrongly delayed, denied, or underpaid.
Think a company or agent may have treated you unfairly or you suspect fraud.
Have general questions about insurance, including types of coverage, billing, cancellations, or non-renewals.
Need to check whether a company or agent is licensed.
Have been affected by a natural disaster and need help navigating an insurance policy or a claim.

What They Cannot Resolve

Set insurance prices; they review or approve rates as required by state law.
Represent you in court as personal legal counsel.
Force a company to sell you a policy. However, they can investigate unfair practices and explain your options (including last-resort programs where available).