When Buying Insurance

* Find out whether your state insurance department offers any information concerning insurance companies and rates. This is a good way to get a feeling for the range of prices and the lowest-cost providers in your area.

* Check several sources for the best deal. Try getting quotes from a website such as www.insweb.com, but be aware that many online services may provide prices for just a few companies. An independent insurance agent that works with several insurers in your local area might be able to get you a better deal.

* Check the financial stability and soundness of the insurance company. Ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's, Moody's Investors Services , and Weiss Ratings, Inc. are available online and at most public libraries.

* Research the complaint record of the company. Contact your state insurance department or visit the website of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), which has a database of complaints filed with state regulators.

* Find out what others think about the company's customer service. Consumers can rate homeowner insurance companies at www.jdpower.com/homes/insuranceratings.

* Once you pay your first insurance premium, make sure you receive a written policy. This tells you the agent forwarded your premium to the insurance company. If you don't receive a policy within 60 days, contact your agent and the insurance company.

Source: FCIC

Disability Benefits

Disability is something most people do not like to think about. But the chances that you will become disabled probably are greater than you realize. Studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 3 in 10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

Disability benefits are paid through two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. For information about the SSI disability program for adults, see Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000). For information about disability programs for children, refer to Benefits For Children With Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026). Publications are available online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Social Security pays benefits to people who cannot work because they have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Federal law requires this very strict definition of disability. While some programs give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not.

How does one meet the earnings requirement for disability benefits?

In general, to get disability benefits, you must meet two different earnings tests:

1. A “recent work” test based on your age at the time you became disabled; and

2. A “duration of work” test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security. Certain blind workers have to meet only the “duration of work” test.

The table shows the rules for how much work you need for the “recent work” test based on your age when your disability began. The rules in this table are based on the calendar quarter in which you turned or will turn a certain age. The calendar quarters are:

First Quarter: January 1 through March 31

Second Quarter: April 1 through June 30

Third Quarter: July 1 through September 30

Fourth Quarter: October 1 through December 31

How To Apply for Disability Benefits?

There are two ways that you can apply for disability benefits. You can:

1. Apply at www.socialsecurity.gov; or

2. Call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, to make an appointment to file a disability claim at your local Social Security office or to set up an appointment for someone to take your claim over the telephone.

The disability claims interview lasts about one hour. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. If you schedule an appointment, a Disability Starter Kit will be mailed to you. The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability claims interview. If you apply online, the Disability Starter Kit is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

For more detailed information visit Social Security Online.

Source: Social Security Online

Do Your Research Before Purchasing
“Variable Life Insurance” or a “Variable Annuity.”

Both products are part insurance and part securities.

The first is a type of “whole life” insurance product (also called “permanent life” insurance) for which the policyholder’s cash value is invested in one or more portfolios of securities.

The second product is an annuity, for which the consumer invests, through the insurer, in a variety of investment options, typically mutual funds.

Insurance companies issue both products, and anyone who sells them must be registered under state insurance laws and state and federal securities laws.

Although these products provide tax-deferred earnings, you can lose money investing in them. Income and value can move up and down. That’s what the “variable” in the name means.

These products also may carry relatively high sales commissions, fees and “surrender charges” if you withdraw money early, typically within the first five to eight years after purchasing the product but sometimes after a longer period.

So, think of variable annuities as long-term investments that can tie up your money for many years. The older you are, the less likely a variable annuity is suitable for you.

Of special concern is that securities and insurance regulators have reported an increase in unsuitable sales of variable products to older investors, who experts say should generally stick to low-risk, low- or no-fee financial products instead of those with potentially high risks and fees.

“Before you invest in a variable life insurance or variable annuity product, be sure that you fully understand how the product works, the risk of loss, and the applicable fees and surrender charges,” said Victoria Pawelski, an FDIC Policy Analyst. “Carefully evaluate whether the product is suitable for you given your investment objectives and time frame. And beware of high-pressure sales tactics from sales representatives who may have an incentive to generate high commissions and fees.”

For more information about insurance and annuities, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a Web site (www.insureuonline.org) that includes a special alert for seniors on annuities. The NAIC also provides information on how to contact your state insurance regulator to verify that a company and an individual agent are licensed to sell in your state.

For additional guidance about variable annuities and what to consider before buying, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has published investor tips at www.sec.gov/investor/ pubs/varannty.htm.

Also consider going to the Web site of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (www.finra.org), the largest non-governmental regulator of securities firms operating in the United States. It publishes investor alerts and provides background and disciplinary information about securities firms and brokers that sell these products.

Source: FDIC

Life Insurance

Your need for life insurance will change with changes in your life. For example, the arrival of children usually triggers a sharp increase in the amount you need. As children grow older and leave the nest, you will probably need less protection.

Term life insurance policies are the least costly. They pay death benefits but have no cash value if you decide to stop making payments. As the word "term" suggests, these policies are in effect for a specific period of time-one year or until you reach a certain age are common. Visit www.accuquote.com for online comparisons of term life insurance.

Whole life, universal life, and other cash value policies combine a long-term savings and investment product with life insurance. Canceling these policies after only a few years can more than double your life insurance costs.

Source: FCIC

Top

Health Insurance

Most consumers have healthcare coverage from an employer. Others have medical care paid through a government program such as Medicare, Medicaid, or the Veterans Administration.

If you have lost your group coverage from an employer as the result of unemployment, death, divorce, or loss of "dependent child" status, you may be able to continue your coverage temporarily under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). You, not the employer, pay for this coverage. When one of these events occurs, you must be given at least 60 days to decide whether you wish to purchase the coverage.

Some states offer an insurance pool to residents who are unable to obtain coverage because of a health condition. To find out if a pool is available in your state, check with your state department of insurance.

Most states also offer free or low-cost coverage for children who do not have health insurance. Visit www.insurekidsnow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (543-7669) for more information.

Healthcare Plans

When purchasing health insurance, your choices will typically fall into one of three categories:

* Traditional fee-for-service health insurance plans are usually the most expensive choice. But they offer you the most flexibility when choosing healthcare providers.

* Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) offer lower co-payments and cover the costs of more preventative care, but your choice of healthcare providers is limited. The National Committee for Quality Assurance evaluates and accredits HMOs. You can find out whether one is accredited in your state by calling 1-888-275-7585. You can also get this information as well as report cards on HMOs by visiting its website (www.ncqa.org).

* Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) offer lower co-payments like HMOs but give you more flexibility when selecting a provider. A PPO gives you a list of providers you can choose from.

WARNING: If you go outside the HMO or PPO network of providers, you may have to pay a portion or all of the costs.

When choosing among different healthcare plans, you'll need to read the fine print and ask lots of questions, such as:

* Do I have the right to go to any doctor, hospital, clinic or pharmacy I choose?

* Are specialists such as eye doctors and dentists covered?

* Does the plan cover special conditions or treatments such as pregnancy, psychiatric care and physical therapy?

* Does the plan cover home care or nursing home care?

* Will the plan cover all medications my physician might prescribe?

* What are the deductibles? Are there any co-payments?

* What is the most I will have to pay out of my own pocket to cover expenses?

* Are there any limits on expenses covered in a year? In my lifetime?

* If there is a dispute about a bill or service, how is it handled? In some plans, you may be required to have a third-party decide how to settle the problem.

Source: FCIC

Auto Insurance

Getting several quotes on insurance for a motor vehicle may save you hundreds of dollars a year. Other ways to reduce your insurance premium are:

* Raise your deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverages. If you have an old car, you might want to drop these coverages altogether.

* Take advantage of discounts. Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive less than a certain amount of miles per year, are students with good grades, have taken a safe-driving course or are over 50 years old. You might also be able to get discounts if you insure more than one vehicle, insure your vehicle and your home with the same company, have had no moving vehicle violations or accidents in three years, have anti-theft devices or have safety features such as air bags.

Shopping for and buying insurance on the Internet offers consumers a new level of convenience, but you need to protect yourself when purchasing insurance online. Do your research, double-check the company and agent, update your browser (newer browsers are equipped with security measures that alert you to insecure sites), get all quotes and policy information in writing and keep detailed records. Go to your state insurance department for more information on company and agent requirements.

Insurance Tips

* Be wary of people selling insurance door-to-door and over the telephone.

* Be suspicious if, after an accident, a stranger contacts you to offer "quick cash" or recommends a particular attorney or healthcare provider. Report the incident to your police department.

* Don't give your insurance identification numbers to companies you don't know.

* Carry a disposable camera in your glove compartment. If you are in an accident, take pictures of the damage and the people involved. Ask for names, telephone numbers and driver's license information for all those involved. Getting contact information for any witnesses is also a good idea.

Source: FCIC

Top

Homeowner's & Renters Insurance

You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year on homeowners insurance by shopping around. You can also save money with these tips.

* Consider a higher deductible. Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your premium.

* Ask your insurance agent about discounts. You may be able get a lower premium if your home has safety features such as dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, an alarm system, storm shutters or fire retardant roofing material. Persons over 55 years of age or long-term customers may also be offered discounts.

* Insure your house NOT the land under it. After a disaster, the land is still there. If you don't subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner's insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.

* Don't wait till you have a loss to find out if you have the right type and amount of insurance.

* Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace what is insured. "Replacement" coverage gives you the money to rebuild your home and replace its contents. An "Actual Cash Value" policy is cheaper but pays only what your property is worth at the time of loss-your cost minus depreciation for age and wear.

* Ask about special coverage you might need..You may have to pay extra for computers, cameras, jewelry, art, antiques, musical instruments, stamp collections, etc.

* Remember that flood and earthquake damage are not covered by a standard homeowners policy. The cost of a separate earthquake policy will depend on the likelihood of earthquakes in your area. Homeowners who live in areas prone to flooding should take advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program.

* If you are a renter, do not assume your landlord carries insurance on your personal belongings. Purchase a separate policy for renters.

Source: FCIC

Top

Job Loss - Important Information Workers
Need To Know To Protect Their Health Coverage

When facing job loss or a reduction in hours, workers need to know their options ahead of time to prevent loss of health coverage.

There may be several options available to individuals who are losing their health coverage when they lose their jobs:

Special Enrollment in Another Group Plan. If other group health coverage is available (for example through a spouse’s employer provided plan), special enrollment in that plan should be considered. It allows the individual and his/her family an opportunity to enroll in a plan for which they are otherwise eligible, regardless of enrollment periods. However, to qualify, enrollment must be requested within 30 days of losing eligibility for other coverage. After special enrollment is requested, coverage is required to be made effective no later than the first day of the first month following your request for enrollment. This type of coverage is usually the most cost-effective of all the options.

COBRA Continuation Coverage. If the individual’s employer continues to operate and offer a group health plan, COBRA continuation coverage may be available. COBRA, which generally applies to employers with 20 or more employees, allows the individual and his/her family to continue the same group health coverage at group rates. An individual’s cost for coverage may be higher than what the individual was paying before (and is usually higher than the cost for coverage under special enrollment in a spouse’s plan), but generally the cost is lower than that for private, individual health insurance coverage. The plan should send a notice regarding the availability of COBRA coverage. After this notice is provided, the individual generally has 60 days to elect coverage and it is then available retroactive to the loss of coverage. (Note: Once an individual has elected COBRA, he/she won’t be eligible for special enrollment in another group health plan, such as a spouse’s plan, until all COBRA coverage available is exhausted. Therefore, it is important to consider special enrollment in another plan promptly.) COBRA coverage typically lasts 18 months, but may last longer in certain circumstances.

Health Coverage Through a Government Program. Health coverage may be available to certain qualified individuals through the State or Federal Governments. Information on government programs such as Medicaid (for low-income individuals and individuals with special needs), State Children’s Health Insurance Program (for children of qualified families), or Medicare (for people aged 65 and over, and for certain people who are disabled or have end-stage renal disease), is available through your State insurance department or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Private, Individual Health Insurance. The last option for an individual to consider is private individual health insurance coverage. Individuals may qualify for guaranteed access to such coverage, without any pre-existing condition exclusions, if:

* They had health coverage for at least 18 months without a significant break in coverage (generally a break in coverage of 63 days or more) and the most recent period of coverage was under a group health plan;

*Group coverage was not terminated because of fraud or failure to pay premiums;

*They either were not eligible for COBRA continuation coverage (or similar State program), or if eligible for COBRA coverage (or similar State program), they both elected and exhausted COBRA coverage; and

*They are not eligible for other health coverage.

Even if they do not meet these criteria, they may still be able to obtain coverage. The cost of individual coverage is often higher than similar coverage under a group health plan obtained through special enrollment in another group plan or COBRA. More information on individual health coverage is available from your State insurance commissioner or the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 410.786.1565 or www.cms.gov.

Note: When considering health coverage options, individuals should examine the scope of the coverage (including benefit coverage and limitations, visit limits, and dollar limits), premiums, cost sharing (including co-payments and deductibles), and waiting periods for coverage. For information on the coverage through a particular group health plan, the worker should call the plan administrator and request a copy of the plan’s summary plan description.

State Insurance Regulators

Alabama

Department of Insurance
201 Monroe St., Suite 1700
PO Box 303351(Zip 36130-3351)
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-269-3550
Fax: 334-241-4192
E-mail: insdept@insurance.state.al.us
www.aldoi.org

Alaska

Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Robert B. Atwood Building
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1560
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567
907-269-7900
TTY: 907-465-5437
Fax: 907-269-7910
E-mail: insurance@alaska.gov
www.commerce.state.ak.us/insurance

Division of Insurance
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
PO Box 110805
Juneau, AK 99811-0805
907-465-2515
TTY: 907-465-5437
Fax: 907-465-3422
E-mail: insurance@alaska.gov
www.commerce.state.ak.us/insurance/

Arizona

Department of Insurance
Consumer Affairs Division
2910 North 44th St., Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85018-9932
602-364-2499
602-364-3100
Toll free: 1-800-325-2548 (AZ)
Fax: 602-364-2505 (Complaints)
E-mail: consumers@id.state.az.us
www.id.state.az.us

Arkansas

Department of Insurance
1200 W. Third St.
Little Rock, AR 72201-1904
501-371-2600
501-371-2640 (Consumer Services)
Toll free: 1-800-282-9134 (AR)
Toll free: 1-800-852-5494 (Consumer Services)
Toll free: 1-866-660-0888 (Criminal Investigations - Insurance Fraud)
Fax: 501-371-2749
E-mail: insurance.consumers@arkansas.gov
www.insurance.arkansas.gov

California

California Department of Insurance
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1700
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-492-3500
415-538-4010 (San Francisco}
213-346-6464 (Los Angeles)
Toll free: 1-800-927-4357 (CA) (Consumer Services Division)
Fax: 916-445-5280
www.insurance.ca.gov

Dept. of Managed Health Care, California HMO Help Center
(We serve all California Consumers that are enrolled in a California HMO, Blue Cross of California PPO, and Blue Shield of California PPO)
980 Ninth Street, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814-2725
Toll free: 1-888-HMO-2219 (HMO Health Center Consumer Complaint Line)
Toll free: 1-877-525-1295 (HMO Help Center Provider/Physician Line)
TTY: 1-877-688-9891(Toll free)
Fax: 916-255-5241(Complaints) or 916-255-2292(Independent Medical Review)
E-mail: GenInfo@dmhc.ca.gov
www.hmohelp.ca.gov

Colorado

Division of Insurance
1560 Broadway, Suite 850
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7490 or 7499
Toll free: 1-800-930-3745 (CO)
TTY: 711
Fax: 303-894-7455
www.dora.state.co.us/Insurance

Connecticut

Insurance Department
Consumer Affairs Division
153 Market Street (Zip: 065103)
PO Box 816
Hartford, CT 06142-0816
860-297-3800
Toll free: 1-800-203-3447 (CT)
Fax: 860-566-7410
E-mail: www.ct.gov/cid

Delaware

Delaware Insurance Department
841 Silver Lake Blvd.
Dover, DE 19904
302-674-7310
Toll free: 1-800-282-8611
Fax: 302-739-6278
E-mail: consumer@deins.state.de.us
href="mailto:ctinsdept.consumeraffairs@ct.gov">ctinsdept.consumeraffairs@ct.gov
www.delawareinsurance.gov

District of Columbia

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
810 First St., NE, Suite 701
Washington, DC 20002
202-727-8000
Fax: 202-535-1196
E-mail: info.disb@dcgov.org
www.disb.dc.gov

Florida

Office of Insurance Regulation
Department of Financial Services
200 East Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0322
850-413-3100
850-413-3140
Toll free: 1-800-342-2762 (FL)
TTY: 1-800-640-0886 (Toll free)
Fax: 850-488-2349
www.floir.com

Georgia

Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.
704 West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-2070
Toll free: 1-800-656-2298 (GA)
TTY: 711
Fax: 404-657-8542
www.gainsurance.org

Hawaii

Insurance Division
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
335 Merchant St., 2nd floor, Room 213
PO Box 3614 (Zip: 96811-3614)
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-586-2790
Fax: 808-587-6714
E-mail: insurance@dcca.hawaii.gov
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/ins

Idaho

Department of Insurance
700 West State St., 3rd floor
Attention: Consumer Affairs
Boise, ID 83720-0043
208-334-4250
Toll free: 1-800-721-3272 (ID)
Fax: 208-334-4398
www.doi.state.id.us

Illinois

Division of Insurance
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
100 West Randolph St., Suite 9-301
Chicago, IL 60601-3395
312-814-2427
Fax: 312-814-5416
E-mail: director@ins.state.il.us
www.idfpr.com

Division of Insurance
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington St.
Springfield, IL 62767-0001
217-782-4515
Toll free: 1-877-527-9431 (Office of Consumer Health Insurance)
Toll free: 1-866-445-5364 (Consumer Assistance Hotline)
TTY: 217-524-4872
Fax: 217-782-5020 or 217-558-2083 (Complaints)
E-mail: director@ins.state.il.us
www.idfpr.com

Indiana

Department of Insurance
311 W. Washington St., Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787
317-232-2385
Toll free: 1-800-622-4461 (IN)
Toll free: 1-800-452-4800 x6 (In-state Senior Health Insurance Information)
Fax: 317-232-5251
www.in.gov/idoi

Iowa

Division of Insurance
330 Maple St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5705
Toll free: 1-877-955-1212
Fax: 515-281-3059
www.iid.state.ia.us

Kansas

Kansas Insurance Department
Sandy Praeger, Commissioner
420 SW 9th Street
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-3071
Toll free: 1-800-432-2484 (Kansas Only)
TTY: 1-877-235-3151 (Toll-Free)
Fax: 785-296-2283
E-mail: commissioner@ksinsurance.org
www.ksinsurance.org

Kentucky

Department of Insurance
215 West Main St.
PO Box 517
Frankfort, KY 40602
502-564-3630
Toll free: 1-800-595-6053
Fax: 502-564-1650
doi.ppr.ky.gov

Louisiana

Department of Insurance
1702 N. Third St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-342-0895
225-342-5900
Toll free: 1-800-259-5300
Toll free: 1-800-259-5301
Fax: 254-342-3078
E-mail: public@ldi.state.la.us
www.ldi.state.la.us

Maine

Bureau of Insurance
34 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0034
207-624-8475
Toll free: 1-800-300-5000 (ME)
TTY: 1-888-577-6690 (Toll free)
Fax: 207-624-8599
www.maine.gov/insurance

Maryland

Insurance Administration
525 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2272
410-468-2000
Toll free: 1-800-492-6116
TTY: 1-800-735-2258 (Toll free)
Fax: 410-468-2020
www.mdinsurance.state.md.us

Massachusetts

Division of Insurance
Consumer Service Section
One South Station, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02110-2208
617-521-7794
Fax: 617-521-7575
www.state.ma.us/doi

Michigan

Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation
611 West Ottawa St., 3rd Floor
PO Box 30220
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-0220
Toll free: 1-877-999-6442
Fax: 517-335-4978
E-mail: ofir-info@michigan.gov
www.michigan.gov/ofir

Minnesota

Department of Commerce
Market Assurance Division
85 7th Place East
Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-296-2488
Toll free: 1-800-657-3602 (MN)
TTY: 651-296-2860
Fax: 651-296-4328
E-mail: market.assurance@state.mn.us
www.commerce.state.mn.us

Mississippi

Department of Insurance
PO Box 79
Jackson, MS 39205
601-359-2453
Toll free: 1-800-562-2957 (MS)
Fax: 601-359-1077
E-mail: consumer@mid.state.ms.us
www.mid.state.ms.us

Missouri

Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial, and Professional Registration
PO Box 690
301 West High St., Room 530
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690
573-751-4126
Toll free: 1-800-726-7390 (MO)
TTY: 573-526-4536
Fax: 573-526-4898
E-mail: askmdi@insurance.mo.gov
www.insurance.mo.gov

Montana

Montana State Auditor's Office
840 Helena Ave.
Helena, MT 59601
406-444-2040
Toll free: 1-800-332-6148 (MT)
TTY: 406-444-3246
Fax: 406-444-3497
E-mail: stateauditor@mt.gov
www.sao.mt.gov

Nebraska

Department of Insurance
Terminal Building
941 O St., Suite 400
Lincoln, NE 68508-3639
402-471-0888 (In Lincoln)
402-471-2201
Toll free: 1-877-564-7323 (NE)
TTY: 1-800-833-7351 (Toll free)
Fax: 402-471-6559
E-mail: consumer_affairs@nebraska.gov
www.doi.ne.gov

Nevada

Division of Insurance, State of Nevada
Department of Business & Industry
788 Fairview Drive
Suite 300
Carson City, NV 89701-5491
775-687-4270
Fax: 775-687-3937
www.doi.state.nv.us/

Division of Insurance
Department of Business & Industry
788 Fairview Drive, Suite 300
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-4270
Fax: 775-687-3937
E-mail: insinfo@doi.state.nv.us
www.doi.state.nv.us/

New Hampshire

Department of Insurance
21 South Fruit St., Suite 14
Concord, NH 03301-2430
603-271-2261
Toll free: 1-800-852-3416 (NH)
TTY: 1-800-735-2964 (NH)
Fax: 603-271-1406
E-mail: requests@ins.nh.gov
www.nh.gov/insurance

New Jersey

Department of Banking and Insurance
20 West State St.
PO Box 325
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-5360
609-292-5064 (Public Affairs)
Fax: 609-292-5571
www.njdobi.org

New Mexico

Department of Insurance
PO Box 1269
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1269
505-827-4601
Toll free: 1-800-947-4722 (NM)
Fax: 505-827-4734
E-mail: John.Gaherty@state.nm.us
www.nmprc.state.nm.us

New York

Consumer Services Bureau
Insurance Department
One Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12257
518-474-6600
Toll free: 1-800-342-3736 (NY)
Fax: 518-474-6630
E-mail: consumers@ins.state.ny.us
www.ins.state.ny.us

Consumer Services Bureau
Insurance Department
65 Court St. #7
Buffalo, NY 14202
716-847-7618
Toll free: 1-800-342-3736 (NY)
Fax: 716-847-7925
E-mail: consumers@ins.state.ny.us
www.ins.state.ny.us

North Carolina

Department of Insurance
Dobbs Bldg., 430 North Salisbury St. (Zip: 27603)
1201 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1201
919-733-3058
919-807-6750 (Consumer Services) (outside of NC)
Toll free: 1-800-546-5664 (NC) (Consumer Services)
Fax: 919-733-0085
E-mail: consumer@ncdoi.net
www.ncdoi.com

North Dakota

Insurance Department
600 East Boulevard Ave.
5th Floor
Bismarck, ND 58505-0320
701-328-2440
Toll free: 1-800-247-0560 (ND)
TTY: 1-800-366-6888 (Toll free)
Fax: 701-328-4880
E-mail: insurance@nd.gov
www.nd.gov/ndins

Ohio

Office of Consumer Services
Department of Insurance
50 West Town Street, 3rd floor, Suite 300
Columbus, OH 43215
614-644-2673
Toll free: 1-800-686-1526 (Consumer Hotline)
Toll free: 1-800-686-1527 (Fraud Hotline)
Toll free: 1-800-686-1578 (Senior Hotline)
TTY: 614-644-3745
Fax: 614-644-3744
www.ohioinsurance.gov

Oklahoma

Insurance Department
2401 N. W. 23rd St., Suite 28
PO Box 53408
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3408
405-521-2828
Toll free: 1-800-522-0071 (OK)
Fax: 405-521-6635
E-mail: feedback@insurance.state.ok.us
www.ok.gov/oid

Oregon

Insurance Division
350 Winter St., NE, Room 440-2
PO Box 14480 (Zip 97309-0405)
Salem, OR 97301-3883
503-947-7984
Toll free: 1-888-877-4894 (OR)
Fax: 503-378-4351
E-mail: dcbs.insmail@state.or.us
insurance.oregon.gov

Pennsylvania

Bureau of Consumer Service
Insurance Department
1209 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-2317
Toll free: 1-877-881-6388
Fax: 717-787-8585
E-mail: ra-in-consumer@state.pa.us
www.insurance.state.pa.us

Puerto Rico

Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Call Box 8330
Fernandez Juncos Station
Santurce, PR 00910-8330
787-722-8686
787-721-5848
Toll free: 1-888-722-8686
Fax: 787-722-4402
E-mail: mlatorre@ocs.gobierno.pr
www.ocs.gobierno.pr

Rhode Island

Insurance Division
Department of Business Regulation
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
401-462-9500
Fax: 401-462-9559
www.dbr.state.ri.us

South Carolina

Consumer Services
Department of Insurance
1201 Main Street, Suite 100 (Zip: 29201)
PO Box 100105
Columbia, SC 29202-3105
803-737-6180
Toll free: 1-800-768-3467 (SC)
Fax: 803-737-6231
E-mail: consumers@doi.sc.gov
www.doi.sc.gov

South Dakota

Division of Insurance
Department of Revenue and Regulation
445 East Capital Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3563
Fax: 605-773-5369
www.state.sd.us/drr

Tennessee

Department of Commerce and Insurance
500 James Robertson Pkwy.
5th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0565
615-741-4737
Toll free: 1-800-342-4029 (TN)
Fax: 615-532-4994
www.tn.gov/consumer

Texas

Department of Insurance
333 Guadalupe St.
PO Box 149104
Austin, TX 78714
512-463-6169
Toll free: 1-800-578-4677
Fax: 512-475-2005
E-mail: carol.cates@tdi.state.tx.us
www.tdi.state.tx.us

Utah

Department of Insurance
State Office Bldg., Room 3110
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6901
801-538-3804
Toll free: 1-800-439-3805 (UT)
TTY: 801-538-3826
Fax: 801-538-3829
www.insurance.utah.gov

Vermont

Insurance Division
Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration
89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
802-828-3301
Toll free: 1-800-964-1784 (VT)
Toll free: 1-800-631-7788 (VT - Health Insurance)
Fax: 802-828-3306
www.bishca.state.vt.us

Virgin Islands

Division of Banking and Insurance
No. 18 Kongens Gade
St. Thomas, VI 00802
340-774-7166
Fax: 340-774-9458
www.ltg.gov.v

i
Virginia

Bureau of Insurance
State Corporation Commission
PO Box 1157
1300 East Main St. (Zip 23219 -- Only for special delivery and walk-ins)
Richmond, VA 23218
804-371-9967
Toll free: 1-800-552-7945 (VA)
TTY: 804-371-9206
E-mail: bureauofinsurance@scc.virginia.gov
www.scc.virginia.gov

Washington

Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Insurance 5000 Building
PO Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255
360-725-7000
Toll free: 1-800-562-6900 (WA)
TTY: 360-586-0241
Fax: 360-586-3109
E-mail: mikek@oic.wa.gov
www.insurance.wa.gov

West Virginia

Offices of the Insurance Commissioner
1124 Smith St.
PO Box 50540 (Zip 25305-0540)
Charleston, WV 25301
304-558-3354
Toll free: 1-888-879-9842 (WV)
Fax: 304-558-0412
E-mail: wvins@wvinsurance.gov
www.wvinsurance.gov

Wisconsin

Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
125 S Webster St.
PO Box 7873 (Zip 53707-7873)
Madison, WI 53702
608-266-3585
Toll free: 1-800-236-8517 (WI)
TTY: Dial 711 and ask for 608-266-3586
Fax: 608-264-8115
E-mail: information@wisconsin.gov
oci.wi.gov

Wyoming

Department of Insurance
106 E. Sixth Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-7401
Toll free: 1-800-438-5768 (WY)
Fax: 307-777-5895
E-mail: wyinsdep@state.wy.us
insurance.state.wy.us/

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