374.085. Division of consumer affairs, duties--legal adviser may assist.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

374.085. Division of consumer affairs, duties--legal adviser may assist.

Division of consumer affairs, duties--legal adviser may assist.

374.085. 1. The division of consumer affairs of the department ofinsurance, financial institutions and professional registration shallperform the following functions:

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

(2) The division shall maintain records of each complaint receivedand 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 telephoneservice to receive complaints and inquiries, and shall publicize theexistence of this service to the general public;

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

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

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

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