Date: February 10, 2009
For more information contact: Jim Guidry, (608) 264-6239 or jim.guidry@wisconsin.gov

Office of the Commissioner of Insurance adds new online access

Madison, WI—Insurance Commissioner Sean Dilweg announced improvements to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) complaint and agent licensing processes that simplify access to agency services for consumers and insurance professionals.

Commissioner Dilweg unveiled OCI's new online complaint filing system. Effective February 9, 2009, consumers can file an insurance complaint directly over the internet. Previously, a complaint form was available on OCI's Web site, but had to be printed and mailed or faxed to the agency to be filed. With today's change, a consumer can file a complaint in real time directly to the agency. The on-line complaint form is available at oci.wi.gov/com_form.htm.

"Consumers will be able to file a complaint quickly and easily" said Dilweg. "The new online process also means a quicker response from OCI."

Dilweg also highlighted a change to the agent licensing process. Agents renewing their license through OCI's outside vendor SIRCON will be permitted to print their licenses for free within 30 days of renewing their licenses. Agents will still receive a license from OCI as usual, but now they have the opportunity to print their own license. Agents wishing to print their license after 30 days will pay a transaction fee.

"Streamlined processes give added value to consumers and agents," said Dilweg.

Created by the Legislature in 1871, Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) was vested with broad powers to ensure that the insurance industry responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens. Today, OCI's mission is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.