The Tennessee Department of Insurance announced in a report that for the first half of 2016, consumers in the state of Tennessee were repaid a total of $1,577,917.59 for denied claims.
The agency’s Consumer Insurance Services Section (TDCI) repaid the money after it approached insurers to overturn denied claims. According to the agency, most of the cases involved claim denials and complaints involving health-related concerns.
“2016 is again shaping up to be a busy year as our team responds to consumer complaints and works diligently to advocate for Tennessee consumers from all walks of life,” said TDCI assistant commissioner Michael Humphreys. “We encourage Tennesseans to call us if they have questions or concerns about all types of insurance products and services.”
The TDCI told
localmemphis.com that consumers must carefully research about insurers and their customer complaint data before purchasing policies from them. The agency also urged consumers to ensure that the insurance agent and/or company they are dealing with possesses a state license.
For more specific concerns, the department advised those with homeowners insurance to keep receipts of their home repair costs, as well as to hold on to pictures of their residence as proof. To those with auto insurance policies, the agency suggests that they understand what their policies can do, and what they can do in the event of an accident. Health insurance customers should make sure that their doctor or medical provider is under their insurance, and those with life insurance policies should make an effort to fully understand what is covered, the department additionally instructed.
In 2015, the department previously managed to repay consumers over $2.8 million.
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