State DOIs: Your Ally in the Insurance World
Making the best insurance decisions can sometimes feel overwhelming, as it means navigating complex terms and a variety of plans, confirming your written policy matches your expectations, or guaranteeing you’re receiving the benefits you were promised. But you don’t have to face these situations and decisions alone.
In each state, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories, an insurance commissioner (called a department director or superintendent in some states) guides a team dedicated to protecting and assisting consumers, regulating insurers, and working for fair, affordable, and accessible coverage. Together, these leaders coordinate and collaborate nationwide through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Your state’s department of insurance (DOI) serves as your ally in the insurance world, and its job includes:
- Educating consumers and businesses on insurance terms, policies, options, and scams
- Listening to and resolving consumer questions, concerns, and complaints
- Investigating fraud and holding bad actors accountable
- Sharing tips for preparing for major life events and minimizing risk
- Recovering unpaid insurance benefits
- Helping consumers and communities recover from natural disasters
- Licensing insurance companies and agents and providing a license lookup tool for consumers to verify an agent’s status
- Preventing discriminatory policies and practices
- Making sure insurance companies are solvent so they have the funds needed to keep their commitments
- Reviewing and approving insurance rate adjustments
Learn more about how your state DOI advocates for you by visiting https://content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments to find its contact information and website.
About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the NAIC, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. NAIC staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.