GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES CONSUMER ADVOCATE FOR INSURANCE
10/22/2008
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver announced that Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss has appointed Angel Robinson as Iowa’s first Consumer Advocate for Insurance. Iowa is one of only 3 states in the nation, along with Florida and West Virginia, to have such a position on behalf of consumers.
“Iowa has a long history of looking out for the best interests of consumers, and an advocate who focuses on the needs of insurance consumers adds to our strong reputation,” said Governor Culver. “Angel Robinson’s experience makes her a great pick to be our first Consumer Advocate for Insurance. She will be someone who can both help individual Iowans with their concerns as well as finds ways that state government can be more effective.”
Earlier this year, the Iowa General Assembly passed and the Governor signed legislation to create the Consumer Advocate Bureau and specified its duties, including a number of areas of examination of the business of insurance. Each year, the Consumer Advocate’s findings and recommendations will be included in the annual report of the Insurance Commissioner to the legislature, which may include suggestions for legislation or administrative rule changes.
“The Consumer Advocate and her bureau will bring a fresh outlook to the activities of the Division and the business of insurance in Iowa,” added Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss. “Few states have a designated Consumer Advocate for Insurance. Once again, Iowa is among the nation’s innovative states in establishing this position to help us assure that the protection of consumers will remain our primary focus.”
Robinson will develop and lead a new bureau at the Iowa Insurance Division which, according to legislation that created the office, “shall be responsible for ensuring fair treatment of consumers by persons in the business of insurance and for preventing unfair or deceptive trade practices in the insurance marketplace.”
“I am honored to be the first person to hold this position, and look forward to watching out for the best interests of Iowa consumers,” said Robinson.
Robinson is currently on the staff of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She has experience working with the legislature in that position and from work she had done as an intern for the Administrative Rules Committee. Robinson received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and both a law degree and master’s of public administration from Drake University.
Consumers who have insurance questions or complaints may contact the Iowa Insurance Division toll free at 877-955-1212 or online at www.iid.state.ia.us.
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