Governor Questions Consumer Complaint Probes Against Ability Insurance

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Gov. Dennis Daugaard has asked South Dakota Labor Secretary Pam Roberts to review procedures for investigating consumer complaints against insurance companies.

The move comes after the Argus Leader newspaper reported the labor department's insurance division hasn't publicly disciplined Ability Insurance Co. despite having evidence that the company allegedly broke state laws when it denied claims for long-term care policyholders.

Daugaard says such cases can be complex and time-consuming but that regulators "should always strive to act as quickly as possible to investigate bad actors and protect consumers." He wants a report from Roberts in the next 30 days.

Nebraska-based Ability Insurance has been sued in several states including South Dakota. A company executive says Ability has put reforms in place that should put an end to the lawsuits.

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