Before contacting a listed agency, consider first speaking with the branch
manager or other person who supervises the individual who sold the annuity; at
times, this person will have authority to cancel the transaction if they agree
that the sale was inappropriate. Also consider other approaches to dealing with the annuity,
including contacting the insurance company that issued the annuity, and/or an attorney to help you pursue the unwinding of
the annuity.
If a bank (or bank representative) is involved, you have an additional agency
you can contact. Different types of banks (federally chartered, state chartered,
savings and loans, etc.) are regulated by different agencies. The specific bank
can provide you information about what agency regulates it. Consider calling
"up the ladder" within the bank and seek to have the transaction
cancelled.
Will filing a complaint make a difference? Even if it doesn't result in
penalizing the seller, it will add to the record of complaints on file and may
help in obtaining a refund. See Additional
Comments
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners maintains a web
site with additional information on filing complaints. Go to the site [www.naic.org]
and then, under the "What's New" heading in the right column, click on
"Consumer Information Service" (CIS). Next, click on "File a
Consumer Complaint" and take it from there. In certain cases, the NAIC site
provides an e-mail address for filing a complaint.
| State |
Contact |
Comments |
| Any State |
National Association of Securities Dealers
Southern CA District Office
(213) 627-2122
www.nasdr.com |
All variable annuities and many fixed annuities. Prefers
that complaint be made on-line. See Additional
Comments |
| Any State |
Securities and Exchange Commission
(800) SEC-0330
(202) 942-7240
www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml
|
All variable annuities and many fixed annuities. Prefers
that complaint be made on-line. See Additional
Comments |
| You can help. If you have additions or
corrections for this list, let us know by using the feedback form. |
| Alabama |
Department of Insurance
Life & Health Division
(334) 241-4141
www.aldoi.org |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Consumers" and then select "File a Complaint" to file an
on-line complaint |
| Alaska |
Division of Insurance
(800) INSURAK (in-state)
(907) 269-7900 (out of state)
www.dced.state.ak.us/insurance |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "Consumer Information" and click "Consumer Complaint Process." |
| Arizona |
Department of Insurance
(877) 660-0964 (statewide)
(602) 912-8470 (Phoenix area)
http://www.id.state.az.us/ |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "Resources for Consumers" then scroll down to "Insurance Fraud." Open the "Fraud Referral Form"and print to file a complaint. |
| Arkansas |
Department of Insurance
(800) 282-9134
http://insurance.arkansas.gov/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Scroll down to "Consumer
Information" and click the link labeled "How to File an Insurance
Complaint." Click on "AID Electronic Complaint Form." Can also request a form by writing to the address provided. |
| California |
Department of Insurance
(800) 927-HELP
www.insurance.ca.gov |
Click the "Consumer" section. Under "Consumer Services" click on the link "Consumer Request for Assistance" and follow the instructions.
|
If Attorney Involved in Sale
State Bar of California
(800) 843-9053 (complaints)
www.calbar.ca.gov |
Cannot be filed online. Click "Attorney Complaints" then select the "Complaint Form" link. |
Department of Corporations
(866) ASK-CORP
www.corp.ca.gov/comp/complist.htm |
Attorney complaints may be filed online. Licenses and regulates a variety of businesses including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers and financial planners, and certain fiduciaries and lenders. Also regulate the offer and sale of securities, franchises and off-exchange commodities. |
| Colorado |
Division of Insurance
(303) 894-7490 (Denver-metro area)
(800) 930-3745 (Other parts of the state) www.dora.state.co.us/insurance/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Submit a
Complaint." |
| Connecticut |
Insurance Department
(800) 203-3447 (in-state)
(860) 297-3800 (out of state) www.state.ct.us/cid |
Complaints may not be filed on-line. Click on "Forms" then the link labeled "Consumer Complaint Form." |
| Delaware |
Insurance Department
(800) 282-8611 (in-state)
(302) 739-4251 (out of state)
www.state.de.us/inscom/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Complaints or Problems with an Insurance Company or Agent" then select "Our On-Line Complaint Form." |
| District of Columbia |
Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking
(202) 727-8000
www.disr.washingtondc.gov |
Click on "Consumers" under "Services." Then click on the link "File an Insurance Complaint."
Follow further instructions. |
| Florida |
Department of Financial Services
(800) 342-2762
www.fldfs.com |
Complaints may be filed online. Under "For the Consumer," click on "Request for Assistance"
then "Submit a New Service Request." |
| You can help. If you have additions or
corrections for this list, let us know by using the feedback form. |
| Georgia |
Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
(800) 656-2298
www.gainsurance.org |
Complaints may be filed online. Click "Complaints," then open the link labeled "Submit a Consumer Complaint." |
| Hawaii |
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
(808) 586-2790
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/ins |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on
"Consumer" then click the link labeled "Filing a Complaint." |
| Idaho |
Department of Insurance
(208) 334-4250
(800) 721-3272 (consumer complaints) www.doi.state.id.us |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "File a Consumer Complaint" under "Online Services."
|
| Illinois |
Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
(217) 782-4515 (Springfield office)
(312) 814-2420 (Chicago office)
www.idfpr.com/DOI/Default2.asp |
Complaints may be filed online. Under "Important Links" click on "File a complaint with our Division."
|
| Indiana |
Department of Insurance
(317) 232-2385
www.ai.org/idoi/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "e-Complaint
Form" under "What's New at IDOI" box. |
| Iowa |
Insurance Division
(877) 955-1212 (toll free in Iowa)
(515) 281-5705
www.iid.state.ia.us/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on
"Consumer Information" and open "How to file a complaint against your insurance company or agent." Follow instructions. |
| Kansas |
Insurance Department
(800) 432-2484
www.ksinsurance.org/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Under "Quicklinks,"
click on "File a Complaint" and complete the online form. |
| Kentucky |
Office of Insurance
(800) 595-6053
http://doi.ppr.ky.gov/kentucky/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Under "Consumer
Protection and Education," click on "File a Formal
Complaint Online." |
| Louisiana |
Department of Insurance
(800) 259-5300 (in-state)
(225) 342-5900 (out of state)
www.ldi.la.gov/ |
Click "File an insurance complaint" then on "Download a Complaint Form"
|
| Maine |
Bureau of Insurance
(207) 624-8475
(800) 300-5000 (toll free in-state)
www.state.me.us/pfr/ins/ins_index.htm |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Consumer
Information" and then "Filing Complaints." Follow further instructions. |
| You can help. If you have additions or
corrections for this list, let us know by using the feedback form. |
| Maryland |
Insurance Administration
(410) 468-2000
(800) 492-6116 (toll free) www.mdinsurance.state.md.us/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Consumer Information" then "File a Complaint." Scroll down to "File a Complaint On-Line" and follow instructions. |
| Mass- achusetts |
Division of Insurance
(617) 521-7794
www.mass.gov/doi/ |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "File a Consumer
Complaint." |
| Michigan |
Office of Financial and Insurance Services
(877) 999-6442
www.michigan.gov/cis
|
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "Consumer
Services" then open "How to File a Complaint." |
| Minnesota |
Department of Commerce
(800) 657-3602 (in-state only)
(651) 296-2488
www.commerce.state.mn.us/ |
Click on "Have a Complaint?" under "Consumer Info and Services." Then click "Insurance Complaints." Links to print form are on the right side of the page. |
| Mississippi |
Attorney General's Office
Consumer Protection Division
(800) 281-4418 (toll free)
(601) 359-4230
Complaint
Form |
|
Department of Insurance
(601) 359-3569
(800) 562-2957 (consumer help line)
www.doi.state.ms.us/ |
Click on "Complaint Form" on the column to the left. Complaints may be filed via e-mail to consumer@mid.state.ms.us or via a downloaded complaint form. |
| Missouri |
Department of Insurance
(800) 726-7390
http://insurance.mo.gov/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Under "Quick Links," click on "Consumer Complaints." |
| Montana |
State Auditor's Office
(800) 332-6148
www.discoveringmontana.com/sao/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "File an
Insurance Complaint" under "Consumer Links." |
| Nebraska |
Department of Insurance
(402) 471-2201
(877) 564-7323 (consumer toll free hotline)
www.doi.ne.gov/index.htm |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Consumer
" and then select " Complaint Forms." |
| Nevada |
Division of Insurance
(702) 486-4009 (Las Vegas office)
(775) 687-4270 (Carson City office)
www.doi.state.nv.us/index.htm |
Under "Consumer
Information," click "Submit a Complaint." Next, open the file "Submit a Complaint On-Line." |
| You can help. If you have additions or
corrections for this list, let us know by using the feedback form. |
| New Hampshire |
Insurance Department
(800) 852-3416 (consumer assistance)
(603) 271-2261 (general information)
www.state.nh.us/insurance/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on
"Consumers" then "NAIC Consumer Complaint Form." It is to be completed online
and will be forwarded to the NH Insurance Department directly by the NAIC. |
| New Jersey |
Department of Banking and Insurance
(800) 446-7467 (in-state)
(609) 292-5316 (out of state)
www.state.nj.us/dobi/index.shtml |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on
"Consumers," then under "Consumer Resources,"there is a link called "File for Insurance Assistance On-Line." |
| New Mexico |
Public Regulation Commission
(800) 947-4722 (in-state)
(505) 827-4601 (out of state)
http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us/ |
Complaints may not be filed online. Under "Investigations," click on "Consumer
Assistance." Then click on "Complaint Form "
to download the forms. |
| New York |
Insurance Department
(800) 342-3736 (Consumer Services)
(888) 372-8369 (Insurance Fraud Hotline)
www.ins.state.ny.us |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on
"Consumers" and then on "All Other Individuals Filing Complaints." |
| North Carolina |
Department of Insurance
(800) 546-5664 (in-state)
(919) 733-2032 (out of state)
www.ncdoi.com/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Consumer" and click the link "File a Complaint Online." |
| North Dakota |
Insurance Department
(800) 247-0560
www.state.nd.us/ndins/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on
"File a Complaint" and follow further instructions. |
| Ohio |
Department of Insurance
(800) 686-1526 (Consumer hotline)
www.ohioinsurance.gov/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "File a
Complaint with ODI." |
| Oklahoma |
Insurance Department
(800) 522-0071 (toll free)
(405) 521-2828
www.oid.state.ok.us/ |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "Consumers" then "Consumer Assistance / Claims Department." |
| Oregon |
Department of Consumer & Business Services
Insurance Division
(503) 947-7980
www.cbs.state.or.us/external/ins/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Consumer
Complaints," then click "Interactive Complaint Form." |
| Pennsyl- vania |
Insurance Department
(717) 787-6174
(877) 881-6388 (toll free statewide consumer hotline)
http://www.ins.state.pa.us/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click "Consumer
Services" then "Submit a Complaint On-Line." |
Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
(800) 441-2555
www.attorneygeneral.gov |
|
| You can help. If you have additions or
corrections for this list, let us know by using the feedback form. |
| Rhode Island |
Department of Business Regulation
(401) 222-2223
www.dbr.state.ri.us |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "Forms and Documents" and open
"Complaint Form " under "Insurance Regulation Division Forms and Resources" to download the PDF format. |
| South Carolina |
Department of Insurance
(803) 737-6180
https://www.doi.sc.gov/ |
Complaints may not be filed online.
Click on"Forms / Publications" then "Consumer
Complaint Form." |
| South Dakota |
Division of Insurance
(605) 773-3563
www.state.sd.us/drr2/reg/insurance/ |
Click on "Forms" then the icon next to "Consumer Complaint Form" for instructions. Complaints may be filed via e-mail to insurance@state.sd.us |
| Tennessee |
Department of Commerce & Insurance
(800) 342-8385 (in-state)
(615) 741-4737 (out of state)
www.state.tn.us/commerce/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Online
Services" then under "Government Services," click on
"File a Consumer Complaint." |
| Texas |
Department of Insurance
(512) 463-6169
www.tdi.state.tx.us/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Complaint
Form" and scroll to the "Life / Health Insurance Complaint Forms."
|
Office of Public Insurance Counsel
(512) 322-4143
www.opic.state.tx.us |
State agency that funds the interests of consumers as a
class in insurance matters. According to this agency's site, "OPIC
does not act on individual complaints, but such complaints may point to a
larger issue, suggest a pattern of insurance practices, or affect a
significant number of policyholders, and therefore trigger OPIC's
involvement." Click "Agency Info," then "Contact Form." |
| Utah |
Insurance Department
(800) 439-3805 (toll free in-state)
www.insurance.utah.gov/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "File a Complaint?" Then choose the link for the type of complaint you want to file.
|
| Vermont |
Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health
Care Administration
(802) 828-3301
www.bishca.state.vt.us/ |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click "To Insurance" then on "Go To Consumer Help & Information."
Then click on "Making a Complaint." |
| Virginia |
Bureau of Insurance
(800) 552-7945
www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi/index.htm |
Complaints may be filed online. Click on "Consumer" then "Want to File a Complaint?" Scroll down to "Online Complaint Form." |
| Washington |
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
(800) 562-6900
www.insurance.wa.gov/ |
Complaints may be filed online. Click "File a
Complaint" then "file a complaint or get help"and follow instructions. |
| You can help. If you have additions or
corrections for this list, let us know by using the feedback form. |
| West Virginia |
Attorney General
(800) 368-8808
http://www.wvago.gov/ |
Click on "Consumer Protection Division," then click
"How to File a Consumer Complaint" and follow instructions. |
Insurance Commission
(800) 779-6853 (in-state)
(304) 558-3386 (out of state) www.wvinsurance.gov |
Complaints may not be filed online. Under "Forms" click "Consumer Complaint." |
| Wisconsin |
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
(800) 236-8517
http://oci.wi.gov/ |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "Filing a Complaint." Choose
the format you wish to download the forms. |
| Wyoming |
Office of Attorney General
(800) 438-5799(toll free)
(307) 777-7874
http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us/ consumer.htm |
|
Insurance Department
(800) 438-5768 (in-state)
(307) 777-7401 (out of state)
http://insurance.state.wy.us/ |
Complaints may not be filed online. Click on "Consumer Assistance" and follow further
instructions. |
