Insurance Ombudsman as an Insurance Dispute Settlement Novelty

The article analyzes the new procedure for resolving the insurance dispute between the consumer of insurance services and the insurer. The introduction of the institution of an insurance ombudsman in Russia, as an alternative stage in the pre-trial settlement of the dispute, has a some of advantages and shortcomings. The author investigated the specifics of the consideration of the dispute by the insurance ombudsman, identifying the gaps in the current legislation and proposing ways to overcome them. The results of the scientific study were as follows: It was found that the introduction of an insurance ombudsman was necessary and appropriate. The consideration of insurance disputes by the insurance ombudsman has reduced the burden of the courts and provided the consumer of insurance services with some of guarantees to protect their insurance rights. Deficiencies in the procedure for resolving a dispute by the insurance ombudsman are the following legislative gaps. Firstly, only the consumer of insurance services can initiate consideration of an insurance dispute. Secondly, the insurance ombudsman considers disputes if the insurer is included in a special register of insurers interacting with the insurance ombudsman.