Alabama Department of Insurance : Everything you need to know

Office address: 201 Monroe Street, Suite 502, Montgomery, AL 36104 
Website: aldoi.gov 
Year established: 1897 
Employees: 250+ 
Key people: Mark Fowler (commissioner); Jimmy Gunn, Larry Chapman, and Richard Fiore (deputy commissioners); Sheila Travis (chief examiner); Nicole Boswell (accounting director); Michelle Fielding-Hendrix (HR director); Heather Lowe (government relations manager) 
Operating budget: $83.2 million (FY 2025) 

The Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI) regulates insurers, agents, and brokers to protect consumers and ensure fair practices statewide. In 2024, it recovered $8.4 million for policyholders through complaint resolutions which exceeded original settlement offers by insurers. 

History of the Alabama Department of Insurance 

ALDOI was established in 1897 to regulate insurance activities and protect Alabama policyholders. It began under the Secretary of State before becoming a fully independent agency with its own commissioner.  

Over time, it expanded its role in licensing, oversight, and fire safety enforcement across the state. Other key moments that shaped the Alabama Department of Insurance’s history include: 

• 1909: first fire marshal act passed and placed under the department’s authority 
• 1923: insurance regulation moved under the State Tax Commission as the insurance division 
• 1951: ALDOI restructured as an autonomous agency with clearer responsibilities 
• 1971: new insurance code enacted, requiring licensing of adjusters and formalizing leadership titles 
• 2022: ALDOI celebrates 125 years of serving Alabama’s insurance consumers 

In 2023, ALDOI launched the Office of Risk and Resilience to support statewide disaster readiness and recovery.  

Alabama Department of Insurance mandate 

ALDOI works to keep insurance fair, safe, and stable for everyone in the state. Its authority comes from the Alabama Insurance Code and it operates as a regulatory body under state law.  

The agency is led by the commissioner, who is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. It operates through several internal divisions: 

• Accounting: manages revenues, audits, and state insurance fund distribution 
• Consumer Services: handles complaints, policy questions, and settlement assistance 
• Examiners: reviews financials of companies to ensure ongoing solvency 
• Fire Marshal: enforces fire safety codes and investigates suspicious fires 
• Fraud: investigates insurance fraud and supports criminal prosecution 
• Human Resources: oversees personnel hiring and staff development 
• Information Technology: manages internal systems and cybersecurity support 
• Legal: handles compliance, enforcement, and regulatory matters 
• Office of Risk and Resilience: leads programs on disaster recovery and community readiness 
• Producer Licensing: oversees agent licensing, renewals, and education 
• Rates And Forms: reviews insurance products, filings, and pricing fairness 
• Receivership: manages companies placed under state supervision or liquidation 

Each of these divisions plays a role in helping ALDOI fulfill its mission to guard the public and support a strong insurance marketplace. 

Key responsibilities  

The Alabama Department of Insurance carries out many responsibilities to support fairness and public trust in the insurance market. These include: 

• licensing and monitoring insurance professionals 
• approving insurance rates, rules, and policy forms 
• investigating complaints and recovering funds for policyholders 
• conducting financial exams of insurance companies 
• responding to suspected insurance fraud and criminal violations 
• overseeing fire code enforcement and arson investigations 
• educating consumers on insurance rights and policy issues 
• reviewing mergers, acquisitions, and company operations 
• supervising companies in receivership or liquidation 
• supporting disaster recovery and home strengthening programs 

These duties have also helped ALDOI return millions in unpaid claims and unfair denials back to Alabama policyholders. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

In 2025, lawmakers passed HJR220 urging ALDOI to review insurer practices on rates, claim denials, and nonrenewals in coastal areas. 

The Alabama Department of Insurance has also worked on other key areas: 

• strengthen Alabama Homes Program: awarded over $83 million to help strengthen 8,400 homes against storms 
• Affordable Care Act rate reviews: continues to review ACA health plan rates to keep costs fair and rules clear 
• regulatory hearings: updated rules in line with the 2025 NAIC Valuation Manual to improve actuarial reporting 
• legislative proposal on coastal coverage: ALDOI supports the proposal to extend insurance study to keep reviewing coastal insurance needs 

These actions show how ALDOI is focused on solving current problems and making long-term changes that help people statewide. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The Alabama Department of Insurance recovered $8.4 million for policyholders through its Consumer Services Division. The department also offers: 

• online tools for filing complaints 
• finding lost life insurance 
• checking insurance coverage and more 

It also shares brochures and guides to help people understand insurance terms and choices. ALDOI runs outreach efforts on storm prep, home protection, and post-disaster claims.