Auto Insurance Complaints: Your Rights And How To File

If you are dissatisfied with your auto insurance provider in Maryland, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration. The easiest way to do this is to fill out an online complaint form. You can also request a complaint form by phone, pick one up at a physical location, or download and print a form online. Before filing, you should gather supporting documents and photographs, as well as write a detailed account of what happened and the reason for your complaint.

Maryland Insurance Administration: File an online or hard copy complaint form

If you are dissatisfied with your auto insurance in Maryland, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration. The Maryland Insurance Administration's primary role is to protect consumers from illegal insurance practices by ensuring that insurance companies and producers operating in Maryland comply with state insurance laws.

The easiest way to file a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration is to fill out an online complaint form. You can find the MIA Online Complaint Form on their website. If you prefer not to fill out an online form, you can print out a hard copy of the MIA Hard Copy Complaint Form. The forms are straightforward, but if you have any issues, there is an MIA Instructions page on their website.

Before you fill out the form, you should gather supporting documents and photographs, including email correspondence and a log of phone calls with your insurance agent or company. You should also be prepared to provide information such as your name, address, type of insurance, and the reason for your complaint. It is a good idea to write a detailed account of what happened and why you are filing a complaint.

Once you have filed your application, you will receive a tracking number for future reference. If you would like to speak with someone at the Maryland Insurance Administration, you can call (410) 468-2340 or (800) 492-6116 and select option 3, then option 1, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Maryland Office of the Attorney General: File a complaint form via phone, in person, or online

If you are dissatisfied with the product or service provided by a Maryland business, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. This division provides mediation services to help resolve complaints against businesses and health insurance carriers.

There are three ways to file a complaint form with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General: by phone, in person, or online.

By Phone

To request a complaint form by phone, call one of the Consumer Protection Branch offices or the Maryland Insurance Administration at (410) 468-2340 or (800) 492-6116. Select option 3, then option 1. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

In Person

You can pick up a complaint form at one of the twenty state Comptroller of Maryland taxpayer service offices or at the Maryland Department of Labor's office at 500 North Calvert Street, Suite 402, Baltimore, MD, 21202.

Online

To file a complaint online, you can download and print a complaint form from the Maryland People's Law Library or the Maryland Department of Labor website. Additionally, the Maryland Insurance Administration offers an online complaint form. After submitting your complaint, you will receive a tracking number for future reference.

Maryland Department of Labor: File a complaint form via phone, in person, or online

If you need to file a complaint with the Maryland Department of Labor, there are a few ways to do so. The first is to fill out an online complaint form. These forms are straightforward, but if you encounter any issues, there is an instructions page available. Once you have submitted your form, you will receive a tracking number for future reference.

If you would prefer not to fill out an online form, you can print out a physical copy to fill out instead. The Maryland Department of Labor also provides a phone number that you can call to speak with someone directly. That number is (410) 468-2340 or (800) 492-6116, and you can call Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Complaints filed with the Maryland Department of Labor are typically either Unfair Labor Practice complaints or Statutory Violation complaints. When filing your complaint, be sure to include any and all relevant materials, such as letters or emails. Once your complaint is received, it will be reviewed for errors or missing information. If more information is needed, you will be contacted. If your complaint is complete, it will be given a case number and processed. The person or group you are filing against will then be contacted and asked for a response. You will receive a copy of this letter, including the deadline for their response. After they respond, you may request to reply to their response if there are specific things that were not addressed in your original materials.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: File a complaint online or by sharing your story

If you are experiencing issues with your auto insurance in Maryland, there are several options available to you for filing a complaint. One option is to file a complaint with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

The CFPB is a government agency that educates consumers about financial products and services, analyzes information to understand and keep watch over consumer markets, and enforces federal consumer laws. The CFPB has jurisdiction over entities such as banks, mortgage servicers, debt collectors, and payday lenders, as well as financial products like student loans, credit cards, and auto loans.

To file a complaint with the CFPB, you can either file a complaint online or share your story. If you choose to file a complaint, the CFPB will forward it to the company and work to get a response. You will receive email updates and can track the status of your complaint online. The CFPB will notify you when/if the company responds, and complaint data is then shared with state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Before filing your complaint, it is recommended that you gather supporting documents and photographs, including email correspondence and a log of phone calls with your insurance company or agent. You should also be prepared to provide information such as your name, address, type of insurance, and the reason for the complaint. Additionally, writing a detailed account of what happened and the reason for your complaint can be helpful.

In addition to the CFPB, you may also consider filing a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration, which is responsible for protecting consumers from illegal insurance practices and ensuring compliance with state insurance laws. They offer a Rapid Response Program to help consumers resolve property and casualty claims quickly and without the need for a formal written complaint. You can contact them by phone or mail to initiate the complaint process.

Better Business Bureau: File a complaint online or in writing

If you have a problem with an auto insurance business, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is a nonprofit organisation that exists to foster trust in the marketplace by bringing good businesses and smart consumers together. The BBB will intervene on your behalf and try to resolve your complaint.

The BBB has a single, centralised website for filing your online complaint: https://www.bbb.org/. From the homepage, select "Contact" at the bottom of the screen, and then select the link to "I want to file a complaint".

You will then be prompted to select the type of consumer problem that is the basis of your complaint. When you select one of the options, you may be asked additional questions. The options are:

• Cell phone or wireless carrier
• Business product or service
• Business advertising
• Business privacy policy or practices

You will then need to identify the business by providing its name and address. The online form has a search feature that lets you search for the company by using its full name or part of the name, as well as by location (city, state, or zip code).

The next section of the form requires you to provide your name, address, telephone number, and other contact information. This information is mandatory.

The following section is where you present your complaint. You may write as much as you need to explain your complaint, but remember to remain professional and brief, focusing on the relevant details of your dispute. An exact copy of what you write will be sent to the business, and the text of your complaint will be posted on the BBB's website.

After you have presented the details of your complaint, you will be asked to complete a brief, optional demographics survey. This is conducted by the BBB to better understand the people who use their online complaint service.

Before submitting your complaint, carefully review your complaint to make sure that it is complete and correct. You will be able to revise your complaint if necessary.

Once you have submitted your complaint, the BBB will process it and forward it to the business within two business days. The business will be asked to respond within 14 days. You will be notified of the business's response when the BBB receives it. Complaints are generally closed within approximately 30 calendar days from the date filed.

If you would prefer to submit your complaint in writing, you can do so by submitting a written letter of complaint to your local BBB. Your letter should include your name, address, and phone number, the company's name, address, and phone number, a brief summary of the issue, and your desired resolution. You can find your local BBB via the directory on the BBB website.

Frequently asked questions