We are located in the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. While the Division cannot provide legal representation for individual consumers, PICD protects insurance consumers by:
Discussing insurance problems with consumers to answer questions and explain the process available in Maryland for review of complaints.
Reviewing complaints filed with the Maryland Insurance Administration to identify patterns in insurance practices that point to larger issues.
Writing brochures to explain difficult insurance topics that affect consumers.
Reviewing insurance company rate filings to make sure that insurance rates are supported by data and are not excessive.
Reviewing insurance company filings of policy forms and rules to determine consistency with Maryland legal requirements and impact on consumers.
Reviewing proposed legislation affecting consumers and representing consumer interests before the Maryland General Assembly.
Proposing legislation to strengthen consumer protection laws.
Alerting consumers to changes in Maryland that may affect them.
Working with community organizations to bring insurance information to consumers.
Sept. 13, 2012 - Insurance Companies Are Required to Make Claim Checks Payable to You, NOT TO YOUR CONTRACTOR
Recently, the Maryland Insurance Administration (“MIA”) found an insurer in violation of the Insurance Article for making a claims check payable solely to a third-party contractor without authorization from the insured. In that case, the insurance company paid Contractor # 1 to make repairs on the insured’s home. But after payment was made, Contractor #1 did not complete the work. When the policyholder brought in Contractor #2 to complete the work, the insurance company refused to pay Contractor#2. After the policyholder complained, the MIA required the insurance company to pay for Contractor #2’s services because the insurance company had failed to obtain a written authorization from the policyholder that would have permitted direct payment to Contractor #1. Remember, your insurance company must obtain your permission to pay third-party contractors directly.
September 6, 2012 - Water Back-Up Endorsements Several Insurance Companies Have Significantly Lowered Available Water Back-Up Coverage...More
August 16, 2012 - MIA Bulletin 12-16 Filing Too Many Claims With Insurance Carrier May Lead To Cancellation or Nonrenewal...More
August 10, 2012 - Switching Your Insurance Agent Might Lead To Increased Premiums - But Don't Allow It... More
Hurricanes and severe storms leave many homeowners with fallen trees and limbs. Your homeowners policy may provide coverage for a fallen tree but coverage depends on the terms of your policy and the kind of damage caused by the tree. This short video from the Insurance Information Institute (III) explains the coverage typically provided by a homeowners policy. If you have a fallen tree, review your policy or call your agent to discuss the coverage that may be available. Maryland law protects consumers when they make a call to an insurance agent for information. That inquiry will not result in a claim against your policy.
Maryland
Attorney General's Office
People's
Insurance Counsel Division 200
St. Paul Street
Baltimore, Maryland, 21202
410-576-6432
1 (888) 743-0023
email: PIC@oag.state.md.us
The
People's Insurance Counsel Division welcomes your comments
and suggestions. Click here to email pic@oag.state.md.us. And, please come visit us again soon.
