Tennessee insurance regulators helped return $8.2 million to consumers through their mediation and restitution efforts in 2021.
Although the total amount returned through investigators’ mediation was down from the nearly $10.2 million returned in 2020, the recovery for consumers was still nearly double the $4.3 million returned in 2019 and well above the $5.3 million returned to state consumers in 2018, according to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
State insurance investigators mediated 2,929 complaints between consumers and insurance companies last year. These efforts resulted in previously denied claims being overturned and additional benefits identified and paid to consumers.
“Consumers often feel frustrated and overwhelmed dealing with insurance-related issues,” Bill Huddleston, an assistant state insurance commissioner, said in the department’s annual recovery report. “I want to assure them that our dedicated Consumer Insurance Services team is ready to assist at all times. Consumers should remember that filing a complaint is always an option when they feel a claim has been unjustly denied, or if they have questions or concerns about their insurance policies.”
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance tries to answer questions and complaints about consumer insurance on its website or by calling 1-800-342-4029 or (615) 741-2218.