Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says nearly $1 million has been recovered in the resolution of insurance claim disputes in the first quarter of 2009.

The Consumer Services Division of the state Insurance Department is responsible for resolving disputes between companies and consumers regarding claims and refunds.

Chaney says the division has seen a 400 percent increase in the amount collected for consumers when compared to the first quarter of 2008.

He said the largest increase in collections this year was in property and casualty insurance. Over $737,000 was collected despite a 16 percent drop in the number of claims.