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Insurance can seem complicated. Policies often contain unfamiliar terms, and choosing the right coverage can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories have a Department of Insurance (DOI) dedicated to helping consumers. Departments of Insurance (DOIs) may also be known by different names depending on the state or territory, such as Insurance Division, Insurance Administration, or Office of the Insurance Commissioner. 

Insurance departments are a free public resource that can answer questions, resolve problems, and help you make informed decisions. Insurance regulators promote fair market practices and help ensure those companies remain financially capable of paying claims. The scope of services and regulatory authority varies by state or territory.

How Can My Insurance Department Help?

• Answers and Guidance 
  Get help understanding policy terms, coverage options, cancellations and non-renewals, and your rights as a policyholder.

• Complaint Assistance 
  If your insurer unfairly delays or denies your claim, or does not honor your policy or state law, your DOI can investigate the issue. If a company breaks the rules, the DOI can take enforcement action. Learn how to file a complaint in this ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ Consumer Insight.

• Consumer Education 
  Find resources such as buyer’s guides, comparison tools, disaster checklists, and tips to avoid scams so you can make confident choices. 

• Licensing and Verification 
  Insurance regulators license insurance companies, agents, and adjusters. Some DOIs offer online tools to help verify credentials before you buy a policy.

• Financial Oversight 
  Regulators monitor insurers’ financial health and enforce standards to ensure companies are financially stable enough to pay claims.

• Fraud Response 
  DOIs investigate or coordinate investigations of suspected insurance fraud by companies, agents, or consumers, as authorized by state law. You can report suspected fraud . 

• Disaster Assistance 
  After natural catastrophes such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or storms, DOIs often issue consumer bulletins, set insurance company claims-handling expectations, and provide mitigation and recovery information.

• Unpaid Benefits  
  If you are a beneficiary and believe a life insurance policy may exist, your DOI can guide you to search tools and help you locate potential benefits. The ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ is a resource you can reference to search for policies from participating companies.

Contact Your DOI When You:

• Want to understand more about insurance and coverage.

• Think your claim may be wrongly delayed, denied, or underpaid.

• Think a company or agent may have treated you unfairly or you suspect fraud.

• Have general questions about insurance, including types of coverage, billing, cancellations, or non-renewals.

• Need to check whether a company or agent is licensed.

• Have been affected by a natural disaster and need help navigating an insurance policy or a claim.

DOIs Do Not: 

• Set insurance prices; they review or approve rates as required by state law.

• Represent you in court as personal legal counsel.

• Force a company to sell you a policy. However, they can investigate unfair practices and explain your options (including last-resort programs where available). 

Whether you need help with an issue or want to understand your coverage better, your DOI can help. Find insurance department contact information here: /state-insurance-departments.