john herr psychologist los gatos saratoga california

On Sabbatical

Consumer Services

Request for Assistance

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A CONSUMER COMPLAINT WITH
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

Your Request for Assistance should contain your name, complete address and day phone number; the full name of the insurance company; the name and address of the agent or broker if appropriate; and a short description of your problem. We consider this information necessary to our review and within the powers and duties expressed in the California Insurance Code, Section 12921.3. It is not mandatory that you furnish this requested information. However, failure to do so may delay or even prevent our ability to be of assistance.

Please include any documents (preferably copies) related to your problem such as the declaration page of your policy or certificate, canceled checks, letters or correspondence. If you cannot get copies of documents made, and you need to send original documents, it is suggested that you send them certified mail. The more complete the information sent us, the quicker we can identify the issues and begin our review. You may inspect the information you submit at any time as long as the department's file is maintained. All original documents will be returned to you upon completion of our handling.

The department will notify you in writing of our receipt of your Request for Assistance. This acknowledgement letter will give you the file number that has been assigned to your request. Please refer to that number whenever you contact the department concerning your file as this will help us locate it more quickly.

The time is takes to handle a request for assistance can vary greatly, depending on how complex the matter is. However, your request will be handled as quickly as possible.

EXAMPLES OF THE TYPES OF PROBLEMS THAT YOU MAY SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT

  1. Improper denial of a claim or an offer of an amount less that indicated by the policy.
  2. Delay in settlement of a claim.
  3. Alleged illegal cancellation or termination of an insurance policy.
  4. Alleged misrepresentation by an agent, broker, or solicitor.
  5. Alleged theft of premiums paid to an agent, broker, or solicitor.
  6. Problems concerning insurance premiums and rates.
  7. Alleged improper handling of an escrow transaction by a title insurer or underwritten title company.
  8. Improper handling of a title insurance claim

EXAMPLES OF COMPLAINTS WHICH DO NOT COME WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THIS DEPARTMENT

  1. Worker's Compensation Claims
  2. Disability benefit claims under the Unemployment Act
  3. Complaints concerning prepaid health plans or health maintenance organizations

Click here if you would like to complete a Request for Assistance form.

Last Revised - November 27, 1999
Copyright © California Department of Insurance
Disclaimer

On Sabbatical!

When my office lease expired at the end of 2004, I decided to turn it into a "sabbatical" from my private practice. Many years ago, in my grandfather's 89th year of life, he told me, "John, it is important to smell the roses while you can still smell them." His life gave living a very good reputation. It is also true that the pursuit of that philosophy required my grandfather to to re-open his assay office/ore market in Wickenburg, Arizona as a 75-year-old because he had run a little short of retirement money. Thus, if blessed with his luck and health, I'll be back.. --jjh

Copyright 1998-2007  John J. Herr, Ph.D.                                   Please send comments to jjherr@clinicalpsychologist.com