Questions & answers · General insurance
How do I file a complaint against my insurance company with the California Department of Insurance?
General insuranceComplaint / outside reviewCaliforniaChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: California Department of Insurance · Getting Help · page text View original ↗
In short
- Use the CDI online complaint form. You can also call 1-800-927-4357.
- Send papers that support your case, like letters and the denial notice.
- CDI shares your form with the insurer.
What this means
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has a Getting Help page with a File a Complaint link [1]. It recommends the electronic forms. Printed forms may delay the process [1]. The page lists separate forms for non-health insurance (auto, home, life) and for health insurance [1]. Its phone line for insurance information and questions is 1-800-927-4357 [1].
The CDI form is called a Request for Assistance. It asks for the complete name of the insurance company, your policy number, and a short description of the problem [2]. It also asks what you think would be a fair result [2]. CDI asks you to send supporting papers with the form. Examples are letters with the insurer, your policy declarations page, and the denial letter [2].
Know two things before you send it. CDI will give a copy of the form and your papers to the licensee in the complaint [2]. And if there is a lawsuit, CDI says it will defer its regulatory investigation until the case ends [2]. California's claim rules also say a denial letter must tell you that you can ask CDI to review the matter [3].
Your next step
Fill in the online CDI form for non-health insurance, or call 1-800-927-4357 with questions [1]. Send supporting papers such as your denial letter and policy declarations page with the form [2]. The sources give no deadline.
Check it yourself
CDI's current online form and phone hours may change. CDI does not decide every dispute for you; the page does not say how long a review takes — "Don't know yet".
Where this comes from (3)
[1] California Department of Insurance · Getting Help · page text · checked 2026-11-06
Insurance Information & Questions 1-800-927-4357 … We recommend using the electronic complaint forms above. Use of non-electronic complaint forms may delay the process … Non-Health
[2] California Department of Insurance · Request for Assistance (CSD-001-P) · form text · checked 2026-11-06
Complete name of insurance company involved … Policy number … Briefly, describe your problem … What do you consider to be a fair resolution to your problem … please provide any supporting documentation you may have related to this matter along with your Request for Assistance (RFA). □ Supporting documentation (i.e. copies of correspondence between you and the insurance company/broker- agent; declaration page of your …
[3] Cal. Code Regs. · 10 CCR 2695.7 Standards for Prompt, Fair and Equitable Settlements · § 2695.7(b)(3) · checked 2026-11-06
if the claimant believes all or part of the claim has been wrongfully denied or rejected, the claimant may have the matter reviewed by the California Department of Insurance
How we found this
We matched your question to 3 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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