Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the Maryland Insurance Administration recovered more than $53.5 mn for residents and businesses during the first six months of 2026 by helping resolve insurance complaints, claims disputes and regulatory issues. The recoveries came as Maryland officials framed insurance oversight as part of a wider cost-of-living agenda.
Moore linked the results to rising healthcare pressure and said the money returned puts funds back into Marylanders’ pockets at a time when federal policy changes make coverage harder for some households.
As H.R. 1 makes it harder for people to attain healthcare on the ACA exchange and is taking away people’s Medicaid altogether, $53.5 mn returned means money back in Marylanders’ pockets
Wes Moore, Maryland Governor
Moore added that his administration remains focused on grocery costs, healthcare expenses and other household pressures across the state.
Maryland Insurance Commissioner Marie Grant said the recovery total shows the practical value of the regulator’s work for consumers. She said the agency’s staff works to make sure policyholders receive fair treatment and have a trusted advocate when disputes arise over coverage.
The Maryland Insurance Administration recovered the money through several operating units. Those included the Rapid Response Program, the Property and Casualty Division, the Life and Health Division’s Complaints Unit, the Appeals and Grievance Unit, the Insurance Fraud and Producer Enforcement Division, plus the Market Regulation and Professional Licensing Division.
The Rapid Response Program helps consumers resolve property and casualty claims, including auto and homeowners claims, without filing a formal written complaint.
The program remains voluntary, and participation does not affect a consumer’s right to file a formal complaint later. From January 1 through June 30, the program closed 1,283 complaints and recovered more than $2.1 mn for consumers.
The Property and Casualty Division investigates formal property and casualty insurance complaints, reviews policy forms and checks insurance rules for compliance with Maryland law and regulation. It also reviews insurance rates to determine whether insurers set rates too low, too high or in an unfairly discriminatory way.
In the first half of 2026, the division’s Complaints Unit closed 3,800 complaints and recovered nearly $4.7 mn for consumers. Its Rates and Forms Unit saved Maryland consumers more than $18 mn through rate filing changes.
The Life and Health Complaints Unit investigates life and health insurance complaints filed by consumers and providers. The unit closed 2,719 complaints in the first half of 2026 and recovered nearly $23.2 mn for consumers and providers.
Maryland law gives consumers the right to appeal a denial of coverage for medically necessary treatment. When a doctor determines that a patient needs treatment and an HMO or health insurer disagrees, the consumer has a statutory appeal path.
The Appeals and Grievance Unit responded to 846 complaints in the first six months of 2026 and recovered about $153,400 for consumers.
The Market Regulation and Professional Licensing Division oversees domestic and foreign insurance companies, along with title producers. It uses market conduct examinations and investigations to monitor compliance.
Its Market Conduct Unit closed 80 investigations, issued 12 orders, assessed $3.4 mn in penalties and recovered nearly $4.9 mn for consumers.
The Insurance Fraud and Producer Enforcement Division investigates civil and criminal insurance fraud involving companies, producers, consumers and members of the public. Between January 1 and June 30, the Criminal Fraud Unit’s work led to 8 indictments, 5 convictions and 10 cases awaiting trial. Courts ordered $430,355 in restitution in those criminal cases.
The civil fraud group assessed $57,500 in penalties and ordered $11,388 in restitution for Maryland consumers and businesses.
The Producer Enforcement Unit, which investigates misconduct by insurance agents, public adjusters and bail bond producers, closed 269 investigations and assessed $28,750 in administrative penalties.
The Title Insurance Enforcement Unit closed 881 investigations, assessed $2,500 in penalties and recovered $54,981 for consumers.
The Moore-Miller administration said it uses agencies across state government to address household costs, including energy prices and healthcare expenses. The Maryland Insurance Administration supports that work through consumer recoveries, but its mandate extends further.
The regulator licenses and oversees insurers, insurance agents and brokers operating in Maryland. It also monitors the financial solvency of licensed insurers, educates consumers about insurance issues, investigates complaints involving insurance companies and resolves appeals tied to coverage decisions or claim denials.
