LDI Helps Policyholders Recover Millions
The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) is available to help you understand your policies, work on the resolution of a claim and more. During the first six months of the year, LDI has helped policyholders who filed complaints recover nearly $3.7 million. The funds recovered are from formal complaints linked to property and casualty, health, and life and annuities products.
A policyholder can file a formal complaint online or by visiting the department and meeting with an insurance specialist. Appointments are not required. If you have questions about how the department handles the process or your rights in filing a complaint check out this video “How to do I: File an Insurance Complaint”.
Back to School: Insurance Checklist
Students will head back to the books soon and we want to make sure parents and college students are adding insurance to their checklist. When you’re young and moving away from home for the first time, it is important to assess your policy needs from health insurance to auto insurance. The chart below can get you started on evaluating your insurance needs and learning more about policies.
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Health Insurance
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Renters Insurance
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Auto Insurance
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Are insured under a parents policy or a student health plan?
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Protects your personal property
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Minimum liability coverage is usually required by most states
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Certain doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies maybe within your network.
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Insures you if someone is injured on your property
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You will need to purchase your own policy if your name is on the title of your car.
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Emergency care will likely be covered.
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Premiums average between $15 and $30 per month
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Comprehensive and collision coverage will cover damages to your car.
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A home inventory will help you keep track of your valuable items and may come in handy if you have to file a claim. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has a free smart phone app for iPhone and Android phones that makes creating a home inventory simple.
Turning 65? Learn More about Medicare
Medicare is available to help people 65 and older pay a portion of their medical expenses. If you’re turning 65 soon avoid a lapse in health coverage by contacting the Social Security Administration. The initial enrollment period to sign up for Medicare is the seven-month period surrounding your 65th birthday. After this time period you can still enroll but there may be a waiting period. There are a few things to consider if you have other health insurance besides Medicare.
- Do you need to enroll in Medicare now? Some experts will encourage you to enroll in Medicare Part A even if you have employer health insurance.
- How does Medicare work with employer insurance? Medicare may pay additional costs if a health plan does not take care of a bill. A policyholder is responsible for costs not covered by Medicare or a group health plan.
- Delaying Part B is an option. Is it right for you? Part B covers services such as lab tests and doctor visits. You may want to consider delaying this option if you have health insurance through your job or you and your spouse are working for a company with 20 or more workers when you turn 65.
There are a few different ways to pay for Medicare depending on the plan you choose or whether you’re receiving Social Security. Our Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) staff can help you understand Medicare coverage options and benefits. You can also check out our “Understanding Medicare” video.
A Quick Thank You
The Office of Consumer Advocacy and SHIIP want to thank all of our partners for helping us exceed 45,000 contacts in the 2015-2016 contract year. We look forward to continued successful partnerships ahead!
Behind the Scenes at LDI
The Louisiana Department of Insurance’s Division of Diversity and Opportunity welcomes two summer interns. Kristin Swanson and Jamon Gray are getting an opportunity to observe and learn about the regulatory perspective of the insurance industry. Swanson and Gray are with the Swanson Insurance Agency in New Orleans. Click here to learn more about the Division of Diversity and Opportunity’s educational initiatives.
Reserve Your Seat
Online registration is now open for the 2016 Conference on Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft. The event is presented by the Louisiana Department of Insurance and the Louisiana Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority (LATIFPA). The conference will be held October 12, 2016 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge.
Stay Connected with the LDI
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