Online help center to assist insurance consumers

Florida CFO Alex Sink unveiled a new online help center for Florida's insurance consumers, allowing Floridians to submit their insurance questions and complaints electronically.

Consumer Help Online allows Floridians to easily submit a request for assistance with insurance or financial matters online without having to pick up the phone. This new online service will save taxpayer dollars by reducing costs associated with collecting information over the phone, and provide 24-hour availability for consumers to submit assistance requests.

"Allowing Florida's consumers to easily ask for help online not only improves service but saves taxpayer money as well," said CFO Sink. "This new system gives Floridians a quick and convenient resource to protect their families, homes and businesses, and is part of the modern, businesslike approach we are taking to help Florida's consumers."

Earlier this year, CFO Sink consolidated the department's previous 11 consumer call centers into two, saving Florida taxpayers more than $2 million annually. If just 15 percent of people use the online help center, it is estimated to save taxpayers an additional $4,000 a year by reducing costs associated with collecting information over the phone. CFO Sink's consumer helpline receives as many as 300,000 calls each year.

At CFO Sink's new online help center, consumers will be able to file a request for assistance and check the status of their request at any time. CFO Sink's insurance specialists will receive the request, answer insurance questions and, if necessary, contact the company or agent on the consumer's behalf. General comments or suggestions about the insurance industry can also be submitted anonymously.

For more information about the Consumer Help Online or to submit an insurance request for assistance, go to www.MyFloridaCFO.com.