Report Recommends Changes at Division of Insurance

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A report on the state Division of Insurance is recommending increasing oversight from supervisors, better staff communication and a new informal settlement process.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard earlier this month requested the report from Department of Labor and Regulation Secretary Pam Roberts reviewing the division's investigative procedures for consumer complaints on long term care insurance providers.

The report also recommends setting new timelines and posting completed market conduct examination reports on the department's website.

Daugaard says the division has the difficult task of balancing consumer protection and business needs. He says the recommendations will increase the balance between those priorities.

Roberts in the report says once the division has revoked a license, it loses its leverage over a licensee to ensure future compliance.

Some of the proposed changes would require legislation.

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