When You Have a Dispute with an
Insurer or Agent:
Use the attached form to file a complaint with
the Department of Insurance and Financial
Services (DIFS) if you are in a dispute with an
insurer or insurance agent. You may also file
a complaint online at
michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.
First Contact the Insurer or
Agent:
If you disagree with your insurer or agent,
contact them directly.
• Speak with a company representative
or agent to try to find a solution.
• Explain the problem in a calm,
courteous manner.
• Provide dates, amounts, and as many
related facts as you can.
If you still do not agree with the insurer or
agent, ask them to provide a written
response. Ask them to list the specific rules or
language in the policy that allow them to deny
or exclude coverage, or to include copies of
documents you signed when you applied for
insurance to support their actions.
How DIFS Can Help:
If you are still dissatisfied after contacting the
insurer or the agent, contact DIFS' Office of
Consumer Services to ask questions or to file
a written complaint by completion of this form.
You may also file a complaint online at
michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.
Your complaint is based on the documents
you submit. Be sure to include all pertinent
information, such as:
• Name of the insurer and/or agent
involved in the dispute.
• Policy and claim numbers.
• Details of any previous contact with
your insurer or agent regarding the
matter.
• Copies of documents that help verify or
explain the problem.
Once you file a complaint, DIFS will respond
to your complaint by doing the following:
• Contacting the insurer, insurance
agency and/or insurance agent to
obtain a written response.
• Confirming the licensees named in
your complaint are performing as
required under your policy and the law.
• Helping you understand options that
may be available to you.
You will receive a copy of all correspondence
received during DIFS' review of your complaint
as well as a letter explaining our findings. If
you have questions, disagree with our
findings, or have additional information that
was not included with your original complaint,
you may submit the information to us for
further review.
Please understand that our complaints are
thoroughly reviewed; however, we may not
be able to provide the exact results you
desire. We hope through our complaint
process we can help you understand the
options available to you and the policy
language or laws that may apply.
What DIFS Cannot Do:
Our authority is limited to the companies
and agents DIFS licenses. We cannot help
resolve disputes with entities we do not
license. DIFS regulates the business of
insurance transacted in Michigan; therefore,
our authority pertains to insurance contracts
issued in Michigan. Complaints involving
out-of-state insurance policies should, in
most cases, be pursued with the state
insurance regulatory agency where the
policy was issued or delivered.
Provider Complaints:
DIFS generally only accepts complaints
from parties involved in the contract, such
as the insured, policyholder, or certificate
holder. Since a health care provider is not a
party to the health care contract, we typically
do not accept complaints from providers.
Public Act 316 of 2002 allows health care
providers to submit a clean claim to DIFS if
they do not receive timely payment from an
insurer for a claim submitted without any
errors. For more information or to obtain a
Clean Claim Report, health care providers
can visit our website
michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.
Always send copies. Please do not
send original documents.