Office address: 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40602
Website: insurance.ky.gov
Year established: 1870
Employees: 200+
Key people: Sharon Clark (commissioner); Shawn Boggs (deputy commissioner); Lee Ellen Webb, Debbie Stamper, Victoria Lloyd, Angi Raley, and Juan Garrett (directors)
Operating budget: $17 million (2025)
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Insurance regulates insurance companies, agents, and products to protect consumers across the state. The agency checks company finances, handles complaints, and makes sure policies follow Kentucky laws.
The agency was formed in 1870 to watch over insurance markets and protect the public interest. Over time, the agency has grown stronger as laws and insurance needs changed.
The department joined the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to follow national rules and improve industry oversight.
Sharon P. Clark became commissioner in 2008 and served longer than anyone in the role. She returned in 2020 to lead during big changes in health insurance and consumer protection.
Today, the agency continues to enforce rules, license professionals, and help consumers across the state. It remains one of Kentucky’s oldest and most active regulatory agencies.
The agency works under state law to make sure insurance follows rules that keep markets stable and fair for Kentuckians.
It operates as a regulatory arm of the Public Protection Cabinet and is backed by legislative authority. The goal is to protect policyholders while encouraging a healthy, competitive insurance system.
As far as key structure and authority details are concerned, the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Insurance is:
The Kentucky Department of Insurance also includes divisions like licensing, consumer protection, and fraud investigation.
The agency handles licensing, reviews business practices, and investigates misconduct across all lines of insurance. These powers ensure both market integrity and public trust across the Commonwealth.
The agency is tasked with keeping the state’s insurance system in check, making sure providers act fairly and follow the law:
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Insurance also oversees compliance with Kentucky’s insurance laws and updates its rules to reflect federal health law changes.
It also guides insurers during market shifts or emergencies to keep coverage stable. Support is provided to policyholders and businesses through clear answers, resources, and direct assistance.
These responsibilities help protect people from unfair practices and keep insurance reliable.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Insurance has increased its focus on regulatory innovation, consumer fairness, and market resilience.
In 2024, the agency expanded its insurance regulatory sandbox to include financial contract protections during insolvency, strengthening safeguards tied to insurer collapse risks and innovation testing.
This move helps test new models safely while shielding consumers from financial fallout. Other recent efforts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Insurance include:
These changes show the agency’s push to modernize oversight while keeping trust strong. Its efforts target both big risks and everyday consumer harm.
The Kentucky Department of Insurance helps people solve insurance problems through a formal complaint process and direct consumer support.
It also offers public tools like rate guides, fraud alerts, and searchable complaint data for better decision-making. Educational campaigns cover topics like:
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Insurance promotes insurance literacy through brochures, workshops, and online guides aimed at families, seniors, and small businesses. It uses these efforts to raise awareness and build trust in the insurance system. Clear communication and fast responses remain key parts of how it serves the public.
