COLUMBUS – National Financial Awareness Day is August 14 and Ohio Department of Insurance director Judith L. French encourages Ohioans to use the day as inspiration to be informed and engaged insurance consumers. Free and unbiased insurance help is available from the department, the state’s insurance regulator.
“Grasping and wisely navigating the complexities of insurance is not easy, but it can lead to greater financial awareness and security,” French said. “Helping consumers in this area is a big part of what we do. Whether it’s time for a regular insurance review or a life event necessitates an insurance adjustment, careful evaluation is important.”
Whether you’re exploring insurance for your college student, considering increasing your homeowners insurance to match your property’s increased valuation, or not entirely sure when it makes the most sense to purchase life insurance, the department is available to help.
The department assists hundreds of thousands of consumers and saves those consumers millions of dollars each year by answering insurance questions, resolving coverage and claim disputes, identifying financial assistance programs, and outlining suitable coverage options.
French shared these insurance consumer tips:
- Do your research and shop around: Study the different types of insurance and their associated keywords and meanings. Also, learn how to best shop for insurance and know your rights and responsibilities. Educational insurance tips sheets, guides, toolkits, and shopping insights, including for mental health insurance, are available on the department’s website, insurance.ohio.gov, as well as naic.org.
- Know your rights: If you disagree with your insurance company’s coverage or claim decision, Ohio law allows you to file a complaint or appeal. You can do this on the department’s website, insurance.ohio.gov. The same goes if you received a surprise medical bill. Learn your rights as an insurance consumer on the department’s website.
- Seek help: Utilize the department’s insurance experts when it comes to your automobile, homeowners, life, health, mental health, and other insurance-type questions and concerns. They are available at 800-686-1526, consumer.services@insurance.ohio.gov, and at 800-686-1578 and oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov for Medicare help. Also, tap into the expertise of a licensed insurance agent. An agent locator tool is available on the department’s website, insurance.ohio.gov.
The Ohio Department of Insurance is one of the state’s largest consumer protection agencies.