North Carolina Department of Insurance : Everything you need to know

Office address: 3200 Beechleaf Ct, Raleigh, NC 27604 
Website: ncdoi.gov 
Year established: 1899 
Employees: 630+ 
Key people: Mike Causey (commissioner); Jackie Obusek (chief deputy commissioner); Amy Funderburk (general counsel); John Hoomani (COO); Mitchell Weiner (chief information officer); Marty Sumner, Angela Hatchell, and Michelle Osborne (senior deputy commissioners) 
Operating budget: $53.2 million (2025) 

The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) regulates the state's insurance industry. In 2024, NCDOI saved or recovered nearly $144 million for residents through fraud investigations, consumer assistance, and locating lost life insurance benefits. 

History of the North Carolina Department of Insurance 

The NCDOI was formed in 1899 to manage and enforce insurance rules across the state. It began as an appointed office before voters gained the power to choose its commissioner.  

Since then, it has grown into a major agency that protects consumers and oversees industry practices. Here are some major turning points in the agency’s evolution: 

  • 1908: commissioner role becomes an elected statewide office 
  • 1945: general assembly grants fraud investigation powers 
  • 1973: investigators receive full statewide law enforcement authority 
  • 1998: office of state fire marshal becomes a division under NCDOI 
  • 2024: fire marshal office separates as an independent agency 

Today, the North Carolina Department of Insurance investigates fraud, helps with consumer complaints, and licenses thousands of insurance agents across the state. It works with law enforcement to stop scams and return money to the public.  

The department continues to update its work to meet North Carolina’s insurance needs, including when it rejected a major rate hike request to protect homeowners. 

North Carolina Department of Insurance mandate 

The NCDOI was created to promote fair treatment, build public trust, and stabilize the insurance market. Its legal mandate includes setting standards, reducing fraud, and protecting lives, property, and long-term consumer interests.  

The North Carolina Department of Insurance helps keep insurance accessible, affordable, and financially secure for residents across the state. These divisions carry out its mission in all 100 counties: 

  • Agent Services 
  • Actuarial Services 
  • Bail Bond Regulatory 
  • Captive Insurance Companies 
  • Continuing Care Retirement Communities 
  • Criminal Investigations 
  • Financial Analysis & Receivership 
  • Financial Examination 
  • Individual Self-Insured Workers Compensation 
  • Legislative Services 
  • Life & Health 
  • Market Regulation 
  • Professional Employer Organizations 
  • Property & Casualty 
  • Public Information 
  • Regional Offices and Directors 
  • Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) 
  • Smart NC 

The department is led by the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance, who is elected every four years by statewide vote. The current commissioner, Mike Causey, began his term in 2017 and was re-elected in 2020 and 2024. 

Key responsibilities  

The North Carolina Department of Insurance carries out a range of regulatory duties that affect consumers, insurers, and licensed professionals statewide: 

  • issuing licenses to agents, adjusters, and bail bondsmen 
  • approving insurance rates, policy forms, and coverage rules 
  • enforcing state insurance laws through investigations and audits 
  • helping consumers with questions, disputes, and appeals 
  • monitoring insurer finances to make sure they remain solvent 
  • reviewing complaints about insurance companies and agents 
  • regulating building codes and fire safety programs 
  • managing insurance programs for seniors through SHIIP 
  • overseeing captive insurance companies based in the state 

These responsibilities help protect people, property, and financial stability across North Carolina. The department balances industry oversight with consumer support every day. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

The North Carolina Department of Insurance has focused on limiting rate hikes and improving insurance access for vulnerable residents. In 2024, it capped homeowners’ insurance rate increases after rejecting a proposed hike. 

Beyond these, the agency has rolled out several initiatives to protect policyholders and improve services: 

  • launched disaster mediation support after Hurricane Helene 
  • set up local help centers in storm-hit areas 
  • expanded outreach for Medicare counseling under SHIIP 
  • increased fraud investigations and prosecutions 
  • updated guidance for captive insurance companies 

It also took on a larger oversight role under the state’s new underinsured coverage law. These efforts show the agency’s active role in responding to consumer needs and strengthening insurance oversight across the state. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) is committed to protecting consumers through direct support, education, and fraud prevention. As of May 2025, it helped return: 

  • $14.9 million from lost life insurance policies 
  • $3.6 million from insurance fraud recoveries 
  • $29.5 million through complaint resolution, SHIIP, and Smart NC 

The department offers free Medicare counseling, insurance guides, and disaster planning resources. It also runs public awareness campaigns on topics like distracted driving and flood safety

In the news

Hearing set for contested North Carolina auto insurance hike

INSURANCE NEWS

Hearing set for contested North Carolina auto insurance hike

22.6% auto rate increase under review

North Carolina insurers seek 22.6% statewide auto rate increase

INSURANCE NEWS

North Carolina insurers seek 22.6% statewide auto rate increase

Proposal includes sharp increase in certain coverages

North Carolina caps home insurance rate hikes at 7.5% under new settlement

PROPERTY

North Carolina caps home insurance rate hikes at 7.5% under new settlement

Commissioner negotiates compromise to offset natural disaster and inflation costs

New North Carolina law seeks to tackle underinsured motorists

MOTOR & FLEET

New North Carolina law seeks to tackle underinsured motorists

Limits cannot exceed $1 million per person or accident

Insurance rate hike request rejected

INSURANCE NEWS

Insurance rate hike request rejected

"I haven't seen the evidence to justify such a drastic rate increase," says commissioner

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