18,500 consumers helped so far in 2006, 
$9.3 million in insurance claims recovered

Atlanta (Apr. 20) - In the first quarter of 2006, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine’s Consumer Services and Managed Care Divisions helped more than 18,500 Georgia consumers settle disputes with their insurance companies, returning $9,312,721 in insurance claims to these consumers -- money they might not have received without his help. 

   “Investigators in our Consumer Services and Managed Care Divisions work every day to help Georgians, both individual citizens and businesses,” Oxendine said. “Whether the consumer has a claims dispute or simply a question about insurance, our representatives can provide invaluable expert advice.”

   “Our office takes calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., so we can offer the convenience of assisting consumers by phone after traditional working hours,” Oxendine added. Specialists in Oxendine’s Consumer Services Division can help with problems in life, health, auto and homeowners insurance. Consumers can call even if they just want their insurance policy explained or reviewed. 

   In addition to phone calls and letters, the Consumer Services Division can also take questions or complaints by email, Oxendine said. In the first three months of this year, 2,701 consumers have made their initial contact via the internet. Consumers can obtain a complaint form at the Department’s website at www.gainsurance.org .

   Consumers with insurance questions or problems can also contact the Consumer Services Division at 404-656-2070, or toll-free at 1-800-656-2298. Or write to: Georgia Insurance Department, Consumer Services Division, 716 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30334.

   Oxendine also sends field representatives to every county outside the immediate metropolitan Atlanta area on scheduled basis. Consumers can meet with an investigator for face-to-face advice on any type of insurance problem. Georgians can call the number above to find out when an investigator will be in their area.