Last reviewed: 14 October 2026

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How to file an insurance complaint with your state

If an insurance company, agent, or adjuster has treated you unfairly, you don't have to just accept it. State insurance departments (DOIs) take consumer complaints.

What kinds of problems can a state help with?

Each state lists what it can help with on its own complaint page (see Step 3). States can also look into complaints about agents and adjusters, not only insurance companies. Texas and Florida both say so on their complaint pages.

Step 1: Try the company first

Florida recommends giving the insurer a chance to fix the problem first. Florida notes that "most issues can be resolved within 30 days." Keep a record of every call, email, and letter, including dates, times, and the names of the people you spoke to.

Step 2: Gather your paperwork

Have these ready (drawn from Florida DFS's checklist):

• The exact name of the insurance company
• The full name of any agent or adjuster involved
• Your policy number
• Your claim number and date of loss, if there is one
• A copy of your declarations page (for health insurance, the front and back of your card)
• Copies of letters, emails, bills, and other supporting documents
• A short, factual timeline of what happened. Stick to the facts, use language from your policy where you can, and say what outcome you want.

Step 3: File with the right state

File with the state where your policy was purchased. Florida, for example, can only help with policies bought in Florida.

Any state: Find your state's insurance department in the NAIC directory: https://content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments

Texas: Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)

• Complaint page: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/get-help-with-an-insurance-complaint.html
• Help Line: 800-252-3439 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday to Friday)
• TDI helps with complaints against companies, agents, and adjusters. Choose your insurance type (health, auto, homeowners or renters, title, TWIA, flood, life/annuity, other) for the next steps.

California: California Department of Insurance (CDI)

• Getting help and filing a complaint: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/
• Consumer hotline: 1-800-927-4357
• CDI recommends the online complaint forms. It says paper forms "may delay the process."
• Online complaint form: https://cdiapps.insurance.ca.gov/CP/login/

Florida: Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), Division of Consumer Services

• Get Insurance Help: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/needourhelp
• DFS covers property and casualty, health, life, annuity, disability, long-term care, warranties, bail bonds, and title, plus agents and agencies. It says companies have 14 days to respond to the Department, and DFS aims to resolve issues within 30 days.
• Online request for assistance: https://assistcon.myfloridacfo.gov/en-US/request-assistance/
• Florida notes that what you submit may be a public record under Florida law.

New York: Department of Financial Services (DFS)

• File a Complaint: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/complaint
• Online complaint form: https://myportal.dfs.ny.gov/web/guest-applications/consumer-complaint?hn=1&forward=new

What happens next?

Florida, for example, says companies have 14 days to respond to the Department and that it strives to resolve issues within 30 days. Check your own state's page for its process.

What a state usually can't do

Florida's page is a helpful example. Its DFS says it cannot provide legal advice, make medical judgments or determine who is at fault, determine the value of a claim or act as your adjuster, or compel a company to pay a claim, refund a premium, or reinstate or issue a policy if the company has not violated any law, rule or policy provision. Other states have similar limits, so check your own state's page. For legal advice, talk to a lawyer.

Some plans aren't regulated by your state DOI

Florida's DFS points out that some coverage falls under other agencies:

• Medicare Advantage: the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (https://www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone)
• Large employer self-funded health plans (employer headquartered outside Florida): the U.S. Department of Labor
• Medicaid (in Florida): the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Complaint processes are run by state regulators and can change. Always follow the instructions on your state's official site.

Sources (fetched 14 Oct 2026 PT)

• NAIC state insurance departments directory: https://content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments
• Texas TDI, Get help with an insurance complaint: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/get-help-with-an-insurance-complaint.html
• California CDI, Getting Help: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/101-help/
• Florida DFS, Get Insurance Help: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/needourhelp
• CA / FL / NY online complaint forms: https://cdiapps.insurance.ca.gov/CP/login/ ; https://assistcon.myfloridacfo.gov/en-US/request-assistance/ ; https://myportal.dfs.ny.gov/web/guest-applications/consumer-complaint?hn=1&forward=new
• New York DFS, File a Complaint: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/complaint