How We Can Help

What does your policy cover? Not understanding can be frustrating. Do you have a complaint about the way your insurance claim has been handled? In both instances, we can help.

Each year, the Consumer Affairs Bureau receives approximately 4,500 questions and consumer complaints. When necessary, the bureau conducts investigations and can bring disciplinary action against insurance companies and agents. In 1999, we were successful in returning $27 million to consumers from insurance companies.

For more information about how the Consumer Affairs Bureau can help you, select from the following topics.

 Investor Education Program to Combat Securities Fraud

• The Iowa Insurance Division announces Invest Smart, an education program to help Iowans recognize and avoid inappropriate and fraudulent investment schemes.

 Filing a complaint

• How to file a complaint against your insurance company or agent
• Download a complaint form If you wish, you may type your information on the form before you print it.
• Submit your complaint online - Please read our instructions on how to file a complaint against your insurance company or agent before proceeding to file your complaint online.

 Agent/Company Search:

• Find an insurance agent to meet your needs
• Find an insurance company by name

 Consumer Alerts:

• Administrative Actions Taken Against Insurance Companies, Agents and Brokers
• View Complaint Ratios for the following types of insurance:
     Private Passenger Automobile Insurance
     Homeowners Insurance
     Individual Health Insurance
     Group Health Insurance
     Life Insurance
     HMOs

 Educational Materials:

• Consumer Report Card - A guide comparing HMOs and ODSs doing business in Iowa
  • 2002 (0.2 MB)
  • 2001 (0.6 MB)
  • 2000 (1.1 MB)
• External Review - Request a third-party administrator to review your denied medical claims.
• FAQ - Iowa's Privacy of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation (626 KB)
• Holocaust Claims - Information regarding Holocaust survivors' claims against European insurance companies.
• Report on Slavery Era Insurance
• Selling Your Life Insurance Policy - Understanding Viatical Settlements.
• HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

 Additional Information:

• Frequently Asked Questions - A list of the most common questions asked by consumers.
• Contact the Iowa Insurance Division - Listing of phone and fax numbers as well as email and mailing address information so you can contact the Iowa Insurance Division
• Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) can help you find answers to the important questions you have on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, long term care insurance, and other health insurance issues. Created in 1990 by the State of Iowa Insurance Division, SHIIP has helped thousands of older Iowans sort through confusing health insurance information.
• Insurance Fraud Information - The Fraud Investigations Bureau confronts the problem of insurance fraud through the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraudulent insurance acts in an effort to reduce the amount of premium dollars used to pay fraudulent claims.
• Insurance Bulletins
• Iowa Medical Malpractice Annual Report
  2006
  2007
• Medical Malpractice Closed Claim Study and Rate Filings Review
  • Medical Malpractice Rate Filings Review
  • Medical Malpractice Closed Claim Study (9 MB)
• United Health Care settlement information