Section 374.085

Title XXIV BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Chapter 374

Effective - 28 Aug 2008   

  374.085.  Division of consumer affairs, duties — legal adviser may assist. — 1.  The division of consumer affairs of the department of commerce and insurance shall perform the following functions:

  (1)  The division shall receive complaints and inquiries from the general public concerning insurance companies, health services corporations and health maintenance organizations, their agents and employees, insurance producers, and any other persons licensed by or registered with the department, except those licensed by the division of finance, credit unions or professional registration, or any boards assigned to those divisions;

  (2)  The division shall maintain records of each complaint received and the disposition of that complaint, indexed by type of complaint, company, and such other factors as the section deems appropriate;

  (3)  The division shall operate a statewide toll-free telephone service to receive complaints and inquiries, and shall publicize the existence of this service to the general public;

  (4)  The division shall investigate complaints received of unfair or unlawful acts under the insurance laws of this state and shall close the file on each investigation only when the director of the consumer services division is satisfied that the person or persons complained against have taken a fair and reasonable position or one which is legally correct;

  (5)  The division shall prepare such brochures and other documents as it deems appropriate to help inform the general public on such topics as the state's insurance laws, insurance practices, policy coverages and policy costs; and

  (6)  The division shall recommend changes to state statutes when it considers such statutes to adversely or unfairly affect the interests of the general public.

  2.  In performing the functions of this section, the consumer services division may be assisted by a legal adviser.  The legal adviser shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Missouri and shall possess a knowledge of the state's insurance laws and regulations.

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(L. 1990 H.B. 1739, A.L. 1991 H.B. 575, A.L. 2008 S.B. 788)