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One of the most unpleasant things is filing a complaint against anybody. For some of us, the transgression must be pretty severe to file a complaint. Unfortunately, some may have to be filed to get the service you require and deserve. This is especially true when it comes to homeowners’ insurance. Having a quality experience during your insurance claim is vital.

Reasons for Filing a Complaint

Accuracy and speed are the two most important components in getting your life back in order after an insurance claim. If these two aspects fail, there can be legitimate grounds to file a complaint. According to the Oklahoma Insurance Department website: “A complaint is justified if there is a violation of state law, rules, or policy provisions or if there is a continuous concern about a practice or service that is considered below customary business.”

Typically, actions that breach what is stated above include agent mishandling, unjust claim denial, claim delay, unresponsiveness, unsatisfactory settlement, misrepresentation, information request, or cancellations. Be clear on the infringement(s) that have occurred when filing your complaint.

Regarding delays, it is stated in the Oklahoma Insurance Department Rules, Chapter 15, Sub-Chapter 3-5, Sub-section (b) that every inquiry relating to the claim should be responded to within 30 days. After those 30 days, if there is no response from your insurance company, you have legitimate grounds to file a complaint.

Furthermore, grounds to file can also be insufficient reimbursement. If you feel and have proof from other vendors that your insurance company has not paid out appropriately, there could also be a reason for a legitimate complaint.

There can be various other reasons for wanting to file a complaint. Ensure your complaint is legitimate and has tracts with the Oklahoma Insurance Department protocol.

How to File a Complaint

Filing a complaint is fairly simple. You can visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department website, https://www.oid.ok.gov, click the subtitle “Industry/Regulations,” and choose the “file a complaint” tab. You are then directed to choose between online and paper forms.

Next, the webpage instructs you to complete the form, provide as much detail as possible, sign the form, and provide copies of policies, all correspondence, payments, any contracts, or anything else that pertains to your claim and the made complaint. Once satisfied with the information and every input with an asterisk are filled out, you can submit your complaint.

If you are filling out a printed request for assistance, fill in all the required fields with the proper information. Once that has been completed, you must send it to the following:
OKLAHOMA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
400 NE 50th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Things to have Prepared

Being prepared for the complaint is imperative to get the desired response. Make having all correspondence, including emails, phone calls, letters, or pigeon letters, prepared and documented a priority. This will confirm any and all responses, or lack thereof, between you and the insurance company.

Furthermore, have any payments or confirmation of payments copied or saved so that you also have a record of monetary interactions. This is important if dollar figures need to be compared and disputed. This will also come in handy if this escalates to where you need more legal consultation.

Be sure to have a very good working knowledge of your policy. Know exactly what you are covered for and all the exclusions that may be present. Seek clarification or consultation to understand the entirety of your policy further. You will only have grounds for a legitimate complaint if you breach rules and ethics or your policy.

WHAT NEXT?

By law, your insurance company has 20 days from the receipt of the Insurance Department’s receipt to respond and defend its position. Hopefully, your complaint was settled appropriately at this point.

If, for whatever reason, you are not satisfied with the result of your complaint, please seek further assistance by contacting a bad-faith attorney or a public insurance adjuster. Doing this can confirm whether your complaint has legitimate grounds and assist your claim.