When You Have a Dispute With
an Insurer or Agent:
Use the attached form to le a
complaint with the Department of
Insurance and Financial Services
(DIFS) if you are in a dispute with an
insurer and/or agent. This brochure
outlines DIFS complaint process,
offers ways to resolve your dispute,
and explains how DIFS can help.
If your complaint involves a dispute
regarding your health coverage,
please refer to the Health Insurance
Complaint Form and brochure.
First Contact the Company or
Agent:
If you disagree with an insurance
company or insurance agent in
Michigan, rst contact the company
and/or agent directly.
•Speak with a company representative
to try to nd a solution.
•Explain the problem in a calm,
courteous manner.
•Provide dates, amounts, and as many
related facts as you can.
If you still do not agree with the
company’s position, ask them to
provide a written response. Ask them
to list the specic rules or language in
the policy that allow them to deny or
exclude coverage.
If you feel that your insurance agent
misrepresented what your policy covers,
made false statements to persuade your
decision about coverage, or used other
fraudulent methods, try to resolve the
dispute by speaking directly with the
agent.
If you still do not agree with the agent’s
position, ask for a written response. Ask
the agent to include policy language,
copies of documents you signed when
you applied for insurance, or other
reasons or facts, which might support the
agent’s actions.
How DIFS Can Help:
If you are still dissatised after contacting
the company or the agent, you may wish
to contact DIFS, Ofce of Consumer
Services, to ask questions or to le a
written complaint.
When you le a complaint, Consumer
Services acts as a link between you and
the company or agent. We try to resolve
the complaint and see that your questions
are answered. Your complaint is based
on the documents you submit. Be sure to
include all pertinent information. Include:
•Name of the insurer and/or agent
involved in the dispute.
•Policy and claim numbers.
•Details of any previous contact regarding
the matter.
•Copies of documents that help verify or
explain the problem.
Always send copies. Please do not
send original documents.
When we receive your complaint, we
will open a le and send you a letter
detailing the complaint process. This
letter will include a le number that
should be referenced on any future
correspondence or calls to our ofce
relating to this matter.
We will contact the parties named in
the complaint and send them an exact
copy of your complaint letter. We ask
them to review the matter and provide
us with a written response. We then
review the response to determine if it:
•Complies with the policy language.
•Complies with Michigan insurance
laws, rules, or directives of the
Director.
•Addresses the issues in your
complaint and is reasonable in light
of approved and accepted business
practices.
When our review is complete, we will
provide you with a response detailing
our ndings and explain the reason
for the outcome pursuant to the policy
language and pertinent laws.
If you have questions, disagree
with our ndings, or have additional