Pennsylvania Insurance Department

Office address: 1326 Strawberry Sqr. Harrisburg, PA 17120  
Website: pa.gov/agencies/insurance 
Year established: 1873 
Employees: 300 
Key people: Michael Humphreys (commissioner); David Buono, Shannen Logue, and Laura Slaymaker (deputy commissioners); Kathy Speaks (chief counsel); Nicole Werner (chief hearing examiner); Jodi Frantz (chief of staff) 
Operating budget: N/A 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) oversees the fifth largest US insurance market and serves almost 13 million residents and 220 domestic insurers. The agency regulates more than $139 billion in annual premiums and supports over 250,000 industry jobs statewide. 

History of Pennsylvania Insurance Department 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department started in 1873 to bring order to a growing insurance industry. In 1921, the department was reorganized to improve oversight and meet the needs of a changing market.  

The agency has continued to protect consumers and regulate insurance companies. Here are some key moments in the PID's history: 

• 1986: Model Insurance Guaranty Association Act adopted to protect policyholders from insurer insolvency 
• 1990: market conduct exams introduced to focus on claims and consumer protection 
• 1996: electronic filing systems launched for insurance company statements and filings 
• 2000: centralized consumer complaint tracking system started for better transparency 
• 2002: MCARE Fund created to stabilize medical malpractice insurance and help injured patients 
• 2015: Consumer Services Bureau modernized to improve complaint handling and access 
• 2019: PID issued a statewide warning to protect consumers from insurance sales robocalls 
• 2020: Pennie, the state-based health insurance exchange, launched for affordable coverage 
• 2023: PID and Pennie opened the 2024 health insurance enrollment period 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department continues to lead with reforms that make insurance fairer and more accessible for everyone in the state. In 2024, Senate Bill No. 1241 was signed, removing preexamination course requirements for licensing and opening new doors for future professionals. 

Pennsylvania Insurance Department mandate 

The PID operates under the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Insurance Department Act of 1921. Its main mission is to protect consumers, regulate the insurance market, and ensure company solvency.  

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s structure includes several key divisions: 

1. Administrative Hearings Office 
2. Anti-Fraud Compliance 
3. Bureau of Health Coverage Access, Administration, and Appeals 
4. Catastrophic Loss Benefits Continuation Fund 
5. Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund (MCARE) 
6. Office of Liquidations and Rehabilitations 
7. Office of Market Regulation 
8. Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund 
9. Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Security Fund 

The department is led by the insurance commissioner, who is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. Michael Humphreys currently serves as the insurance commissioner, confirmed by the senate in 2023. 

Key responsibilities  

Here are the main responsibilities that the Pennsylvania Insurance Department handles every day: 

• administrative support: manages budget, purchasing, HR, legal, IT, and facilities 
• insurance product regulation: reviews and approves or denies policy forms and rates 
• corporate and financial regulation: licenses insurers and checks their financial strength 
• market regulation: investigates complaints and examines companies and agents 
• liquidations and special funds: manages insolvent insurers and oversees funds like MCARE and WCSF 
• public engagement: holds meetings and outreach events statewide 
• communications office: supports digital engagement and public information 
• diversity and hiring: leads recruitment and retention, focusing on underrepresented groups 
• leadership development: offers training and promotes employee engagement 

The department also works to increase transparency and build trust with the public. It uses clear goals and regular updates to measure progress and make sure that accountability is followed. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

The department’s insurance commissioner now oversees new cybersecurity rules for the insurance industry. The department enforces reporting of cyber events. PID’s leadership supports the Insurance Data Security Act to protect consumers and strengthen industry safeguards. 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department reviewed and denied record insurance rate hikes in Pennsylvania for 2025. The insurance commissioner emphasized protecting policyholders from steep premium increases. PID’s rate review process blocks excessive or unfair insurance costs. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department gives people tools and support to solve insurance problems and avoid scams. Here are some of the main ways the agency helps consumers: 

• consumer help center: answers questions and guides users through insurance issues 
• complaints and questions help: lets people file complaints or get help online 
• No Surprises Bill Review Request: helps resolve unexpected medical billing disputes 
• Insurance Company and Agent Research: verifies licenses and backgrounds of insurers and agents 
• report insurance fraud: makes it easy to report suspicious insurance activity 

These programs help Pennsylvanians get fair treatment and clear answers. The department’s outreach builds trust and keeps the public informed.