Consumer Questions & Complaints
The DFS Hotline is staffed Monday - Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call DFS at (800) 342-3736 or send us an email.
- Use our online Consumer Complaint process to file a complaint with DFS about an insurance company, bank, student loan, mortgage or foreclosure, bail agent, or any other financial service or product. Learn more about how to file a Complaint.
Other Appeals and Disputes
- External Appeal: If your insurer or HMO denies health care services as not medically necessary, experimental/investigational or out-of-network, you have the right to appeal to the Department of Financial Services (DFS). This is known as an External Appeal. Health care providers also have the right to an appeal when services are denied. Learn how to file an External Appeal.
- Surprise Medical Bill: You can submit a dispute through the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process for surprise bills for emergency services. Learn how to Dispute a Surprise Medical Bill.
- No-Fault Arbitration: If you submit a No-Fault claim to an insurance company and the insurer does not respond or issues a formal denial of claim, you can take the insurer to court, file a written complaint with us, the Department of Financial Services, or file for No-Fault arbitration. Learn how to file for No-Fault arbitration.
Licensing Questions
If you are unable to find the answer to a licensing question on our website, call (800) 342-3736 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM). Local calls can be made to (212) 480-6400 or (518) 474-6600. Questions for the Insurance Licensing Unit can be emailed to [email protected].
Requesting Information Under FOIL
The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) provides the public right to access to records maintained by government agencies with certain exceptions. Learn more about how to Request DFS Records Through the Freedom of Information Law.
Legal Inquiries
Submit legal inquiries to our Office of General Counsel via email to [email protected], or by regular mail to New York State Department of Financial Services, Office of General Counsel, 1 State Street, New York, NY 10004-1511. Include your full mailing address, email address and phone number in all inquiries.
Public Affairs and Media Inquiries
If you are a member of the media and would like to speak to someone in our Public Affairs office, please call (212) 709-1691. Media inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected]
Comments
Comment on a Weekly Banking Bulletin Item
Comments on, or objection to, any item in the Weekly Banking Bulletin should be submitted within 10 calendar days of the date of the bulletin posting (unless a different time period is specified in the item) by mail or in person to New York State Department of Financial Services, Office of the General Counsel, 1 State Street, New York, New York 10004 or by email to [email protected].
Health Insurance Rate Increase Comments
Insurance companies are required to send you a notice about a proposed premium rate increase when they file their application with DFS to increase the rate. The notice should state that an application has been filed and that you can review the application on this website, where you can also learn more about rate increases or submit comments about a proposed premium increase.
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Comments
DFS encourages public comment on the performance of banks scheduled for New York State CRA evaluations. You may submit written comments concerning local credit needs and/or the performance of specific banks prior to, or during the examination. You should submit comments early enough to ensure a thorough review. Direct all comments or questions via email to [email protected] or by mail to Samantha Darche, Deputy Superintendent, Consumer Examinations Unit, Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Division, New York State Department of Financial Services, 1 State Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10004-1511.
Comment on a Proposed Regulation
The Department encourages anyone interested in a proposed regulation to use the public comment period to submit a written comment on a proposed regulation. Comments can be submitted to the Agency Contact noted next to the proposed regulation. Questions regarding the content of a specific proposed regulation may also be sent via email to the listed Agency Contact. Visit our regulatory activities section to learn more.
Office Locations
New York City
New York State Department of Financial Services
1 State Street
New York, NY 10004-1511
Albany
New York State Department of Financial Services
1 Commerce Plaza
Albany, NY 12257
Buffalo
535 Washington Street, Suite 305
Buffalo, New York 14203
Garden City
1399 Franklin Avenue
Suite 203
Garden City, NY 11530
Syracuse
New York State Department of Financial Services
333 East Washington Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Webmaster
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