The Alabama Insurance Department today announced it is taking its consumer service division on the road. The Department will be setting up temporary offices for the day in various geographical locations throughout the state. It is the Department’s intention not only to assist Alabama consumers with insurance problems but to educate consumers about insurance issues and make them aware of the free services provided by the State Insurance Department. The tour is due to begin in mid-July and run throughout the year. Depending on local participation, the Department plans on continuing the program on a rotating basis.
Representatives from the Department will be on location to assist residents with insurance related questions in the areas of Health, Automobile, Life, Annuities, Homeowners, Disability, Business, Medigap and Long Term Care policies. The proposed cities include Ashland, Auburn, Birmingham, Cullman, Demopolis, Enterprise, Fairhope, Florence, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Huntsville, Jackson, Jasper, Mobile, Monroeville and Tuscaloosa. Location, dates and times will be announced.
Commissioner Parsons stated: “The Department’s intention is to raise the level of consciousness regarding insurance in Alabama and this outreach program is a step in the right direction. We are concerned many Alabamians do not even know there is an insurance department established to assist them. The Department exists to serve Alabama consumers.”
The Department serves Alabamians by specifically outlining and enforcing the state’s insurance laws and regulations and assisting consumers with complaints and general inquiries. In addition, the Department’s website (http://www.aldoi.gov/) is a useful tool in gathering the following:
- Insurance Companies licensed in Alabama
- Producers licensed in Alabama
- Bulletins
- Rate and Regulation Hearings
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Consumer Brochures
Parsons went on to state; “We have learned through experience that education is the most effective weapon there is to fight insurance fraud and other problems. An informed consumer is less likely to have a problem.” The Outreach Program is an attempt to take our services directly to the consumer who may not have access to us here in Montgomery. The outreach programs sets forth an opportunity for Alabama residents to become familiar with their insurance department and to become more intelligent about insurance.