• Insurance associations help to improve consumer and company relations.two businessmen shaking hands image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
  
  Some insurance associations in Kentucky focus on protecting insured citizens. Others focus on expanding business opportunities for insurance companies. Citizens of Kentucky who have a complaint about their insurance, or wish to find out more information about plans, can contact one of these organizations for more information. Insurance companies may need to join one to operate.
  
  

Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky

• This organization claims to be the largest group of insurance agents in the state, and the oldest. It provides education programs for members, which consist of more than 400 companies located throughout the state. Other member services include lobbying for company interests and providing insurance for insurance companies, including liability insurance and health coverage, adds the association.
  
  Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky Inc.
  
  13265 O'Bannon Station Way
  
  Louisville, KY 40223
  
  866-426-4425 or 502-245-5432
  
  iiak@iiak.org
  
  

Kentucky Association of Health Plans

• This organization is also a trade association, working to meet the needs of consumers, according to the association. On the website, it also states that it also wants to increase the public's knowledge of the plans available to them. The association also pursues state-level advocacy programs, working to create high standards for the industry and educating members to provide a high quality of care. Contact the association at melodie@mshrader.com or 270-454-1773.
  
  

Kentucky FAIR Plan Reinsurance Association

• This not-for-profit organization aims to make property and casualty insurance available to all Kentucky citizens by providing affordable plans, according to its website. This coverage includes fire insurance to homeowners and other property owners, it explains, providing up to $150,000 for damages to a home, $1 million for commercial property and $250,000 for a farm, although the exact amount may depend on an individual's plan.
  
  Kentucky FAIR Plan Reinsurance Association
  
  Suite 102
  
  10605 Shelbyville Road
  
  Louisville, KY 40223
  
  502-425-9998 or 888-222-770
  
  

Kentucky Insurance Arbitration Association

• According to the Kentucky Department of Insurance, many providers in Kentucky must belong to this association. If an individual feels he was treated unfairly by his insurance company, he may submit a complaint so the association will take action on his behalf.
  
  Kentucky Insurance Arbitration Association
  
  Suite 100
  
  10605 Shelbyville Road
  
  Louisville, Kentucky 40223
  
  502-327-7105
  
  kyauto@KAIP.org
  
  

Kentucky Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association

• All insurance companies in Kentucky that provide life, health and accident insurance, or annuity contracts, must belong to this association, according to the website. The 1978 Kentucky Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association Act made this mandatory, it says. The association provides insurance to companies so in the event they couldn't provide for their customers, the association would cover the costs. The website provides information about how this works.
  
  Kentucky Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association
  
  4010 Dupont Circle
  
  Suite 232
  
  Louisville, KY 40207
  
  502-895-5915
  
  KLHIGA@insightbb.com
  
  

Other Organizations

• Organizations serving people with special needs or interests, such as the American Diabetes Association, often provide insurance for members. By joining a local chapter, a member may sign up for a specialized insurance plan. The American Diabetes Association also lists many programs for low-income or "high-risk" people in Kentucky, such as Kentucky Access, the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program and Kentucky ICARE.