Serving Insurance Carriers In Tennessee: A Guide

Tennessee licenses many different types of insurance companies, and the process to serve an insurance company in the state can be made through the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. The Department acts as the agent for service of process for entities including insurance companies, insurance rating companies, self-insured companies for workers' compensation, and auto clubs. To serve process, specific requirements must be met, including providing court summons, a copy of the complaint, a fee, and an affidavit with the defendant's last known address.

Serving process to an insurance company

In Tennessee, serving process to an insurance company can be done through the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. This method of service applies to most types of insurance companies, including insurance rating companies, self-insured companies for workers' compensation, and auto clubs.

To serve process through the Commissioner, the following requirements must be met:

• Two copies of a court-issued summons: one original and one copy.
• One copy of the Complaint (unless the complaint was filed in General Sessions Court).
• A fee of $15, payable by cash, check, or money order to the Commissioner of Insurance.
• An affidavit providing the last known address of the defendant(s).

These documents can be delivered by mail, messenger, or hand delivery to the Department of Commerce and Insurance at the following address:

The Department of Commerce and Insurance

Attn: Service of Process

500 James Robertson Pkwy

Nashville, TN 37243

It is important to note that the insurance company's complete name and NAIC CoCode must be listed on the summons. This information can be verified on the Tennessee government website. Additionally, any complaints, demand notices, subpoenas, etc., must also include this information.

In the case of an uninsured motorist, Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1206(d) outlines the procedure for serving process on the insurance carrier. If service of process on the uninsured motorist is returned "Not to be found in my county" or if the registered notice to the last known address is returned without service, then service of process on the insurance carrier shall be sufficient for the court to proceed.

Verifying an insurance company license

• Visit the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website: https://search.cloud.commerce.tn.gov/.
• Look for the "License Search and Verification" section.
• Enter the required information: Jurisdiction name and search type (licensee or company).
• Click on the "Search" button.
• Review the search results, which will display the license status, number, and personal data.

It is recommended to verify an insurance agent's license to ensure it is current and active. Additionally, when searching, it is suggested to try different variations of the company name, such as including or excluding punctuation, to ensure accurate results.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance also provides contact information for further assistance:

Mailing Address:

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

Agent Licensing Section

500 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243-1134

United States

Phone: (615) 741-2693 or 1-888-416-0868

Fax: (615) 532-2862

Email: [email protected]

Complaints, notices, subpoenas and the insurance company name

In Tennessee, the process to be served on an insurance company can be made through the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. This includes complaints, demand notices, subpoenas, and the like.

To do so, you will need to list the complete insurance company name and the NAIC CoCode on the summons. This information can be found and verified on the Tennessee government website.

Additionally, the following are required for the Department to serve process:

• 2 copies of a court-issued summons (1 original and 1 copy)
• 1 copy of the Complaint (unless filed in General Sessions Court)
• $15 cash, check, or money order payable to the Commissioner of Insurance
• An affidavit providing the last known address of the defendant(s)

These documents can be delivered by mail, messenger, or hand delivery to the Department of Commerce and Insurance in Nashville, Tennessee.

If you believe you have been wrongfully denied a claim or have another issue with your insurance company, you can file a complaint by completing an online form or by printing and mailing/faxing it to Consumer Insurance Services. The insurance policy must have been written in Tennessee.

It is important to understand your rights as an insurance consumer in Tennessee. Your insurance company is required to be fair and reasonable and follow state laws and regulations. They must conduct a timely, thorough, and unbiased investigation and assessment of your losses and claim. They must also work with you to adjust your claim and make timely and fair payments per the policy contract and applicable laws.

It is recommended to keep a daily claim journal and communicate in writing with insurance company representatives to maintain a clear paper trail.

Serving process to an uninsured motorist

In Tennessee, service of process on an insurance company can be made through the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. This includes most types of insurance companies, insurance rating companies, self-insured companies for workers' compensation, and auto clubs.

To serve process on an uninsured motorist in Tennessee, you must follow the procedure outlined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1206. This statute allows for actions to be pursued against the uninsured motorist carrier as the sole defendant when the whereabouts of the uninsured motorist are unknown. Here are the steps you need to take:

• Make diligent efforts to serve process on the uninsured motorist at their last known address. In Tennessee, this typically involves making at least three attempts to serve process at different addresses obtained from sources such as the police accident report and the Department of Safety.
• If all attempts to serve process on the uninsured motorist are returned "not to be found" or with a similar notation, you can proceed to serve process on the uninsured motorist carrier.
• Include the complete insurance company name and the NAIC CoCode on the summons, as per the requirements for serving process on an insurance company in Tennessee.
• Prepare the required documents, including two copies of a court-issued summons (one original and one copy), a copy of the complaint (unless filed in General Sessions Court), and an affidavit providing the last known address of the defendant(s).
• Submit the documents along with a $15 fee, payable by cash, check, or money order, to the Department of Commerce and Insurance. You can deliver these documents by mail, messenger, or hand delivery to the following address:

Department of Commerce and Insurance

Attn: Service of Process

500 James Robertson Pkwy

Nashville, TN 37243

Contact the Department at 615-532-5260 or [email protected] for any questions or further clarification.

It is important to note that the procedure for serving process on an uninsured motorist may vary slightly from state to state. The above instructions specifically apply to Tennessee. For other states, consult the relevant state laws and regulations.

Serving process to an insurance company via the Commissioner

In the state of Tennessee, process to be served on an insurance company can be made through the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. This is in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-2-504.

The Department serves as the agent for service of process for entities regulated by the Department and required by law to appoint the Commissioner as an agent for service of process. These include most types of insurance companies, insurance rating companies, self-insured companies for workers' compensation, and auto clubs.

To serve process to an insurance company via the Commissioner, the following is required:

• 2 copies of a court-issued summons (1 original and 1 copy)
• 1 copy of the Complaint (unless the complaint was filed in General Sessions Court)
• $15 cash, check, or money order payable to the Commissioner of Insurance
• An affidavit providing the last known address of the defendant(s)

These documents can be delivered by mail, messenger, or hand delivery to the Department of Commerce and Insurance at the following address:

The Department of Commerce and Insurance

Attn: Service of Process

500 James Robertson Pkwy

Nashville, TN 37243

For any questions, the Department can be contacted at 615-532-5260 or via email at [email protected].

Frequently asked questions