Linda A. Lacewell, Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services

Since the New York Department of Insurance was abolished in October 2011, the New York State Department of Financial Services has supervised and regulated all insurance companies that do business in New York. The Department of Financial Services attempts to ensure fair and equitable dealings between insurers, agents, and policyholders regarding all insurance transactions. The Department of Financial Services also receives and investigates all complaints against agents or insurers.

To file a complaint against an insurer, a policyholder must use the Consumer Complaint located within the Department of Financial Service’s Portal. The Department of Financial Service’s Portal is located here. The Consumer Complaint requests information relating to the complainant, complaint details and any supporting documentation relative to the complaint. Once submitted, the Department of Financial Services will investigate the complaint and may request any entity named in the complaint to furnish to the Department any information related to the complaint.

Should policyholders have any questions, they can call the Department of Financial Services at (800) 342-3736. They can also send the Department an email at consumers@dfs.ny.gov.

If you are not certain of your insurance claim rights or if you have questions about your policy benefits, Merlin Law Group has attorneys licensed and practicing in New York that can assist you.