Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance : Everything you need to know

Office address: 500 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37219 
Website: tn.gov/commerce 
Year established: 1878 
Employees: 870+ 
Key people: Carter Lawrence (commissioner); Toby Compton, Jennifer Peck, and Reid Witcher (deputy commissioners); Michael Driver (general counsel); Bill Huddleston and Mike Bell (assistant commissioners) 
Operating budget: $304 million (FY 2024-25) 

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) protects consumers and oversees fair business practices across insurance, trades, and securities. In 2024, it recovered $17.5 million for Tennesseans through complaint mediation and lost life insurance policy claims. 

History of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance 

TDCI began in 1878 as a small agency focused on regulating the insurance industry. Over the decades, it gained more authority to license professionals and enforce public safety standards.  

Today, it oversees key industries and supports Tennesseans through strong consumer safeguards. Key points in the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s history include: 

• 1878: Bureau of Insurance created by the Tennessee General Assembly to begin oversight of the insurance industry 
• 1913: Department of Insurance formed with a cabinet-level commissioner leading statewide insurance regulation 
• 1937: Fire Prevention Division added to enforce codes and improve fire safety across Tennessee 
• 1971: state government restructured giving the department a stronger mandate in commercial and regulatory oversight 
• 1983: renamed Department of Commerce and Insurance to reflect its expanded role in business and consumer protection 

The department remains a central part of state government, regulating industries, licensing professionals, and helping residents recover losses from fraud. 

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance mandate 

TDCI works under state law to license, monitor, and regulate key industries in Tennessee. Its legal power comes from Title 56 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, which defines its role in insurance oversight.  

The department’s core mission supports financial stability, business accountability, and public trust in licensed professionals. 

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is structured into several divisions that carry out its legal and public service duties. These divisions include: 

• Consumer Insurance Services: educates and mediates disputes between Tennesseans and insurance companies 
• Insurance: oversees insurers, enforces laws, and reviews financial compliance 
• Regulatory Boards: licenses and monitors professionals in various trades 
• Securities: regulates brokers, investment firms, and financial advisors 
• Fire Prevention: enforces safety codes and runs public education programs 
• TennCare Oversight: checks compliance for Medicaid-managed care providers 
• Emergency Communications: supports local 911 boards and emergency response systems 

TDCI is led by a commissioner appointed by the governor and serving as part of the governor’s Cabinet. 

Key responsibilities  

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance handles a wide range of tasks that help protect the public and maintain fair business in the state.  

It licenses over 300,000 insurance professionals and protects consumers through fair business oversight. Its core responsibilities cover key industries: 

• licensing insurance agents, adjusters, brokers, and companies 
• enforcing insurance laws and financial rules under Title 56 
• reviewing insurance rates, filings, and company practices 
• regulating professional licenses for trades and services across Tennessee 
• monitoring securities firms and investment advisors 
• inspecting buildings and enforcing fire safety codes 
• managing Medicaid oversight through the TennCare program 
• supporting emergency 911 systems and public safety communications 
• tracking and investigating insurance fraud and consumer complaints 
• helping Tennesseans recover unpaid life insurance benefits 

TDCI plays a direct role in how Tennesseans access safe, fair, and legal business services every day. Its work supports both economic growth and consumer trust across the state. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has focused on cutting costs, improving oversight, and returning money to consumers. TDCI reported record-breaking consumer returns in 2024, driven by improved complaint mediation and a record-setting insurance recovery report. 

Other recent efforts show a mix of financial regulation and consumer outreach: 

• hosted public forums on insurance fraud and scams 
• issued updated licensing guidance for remote and hybrid work settings 
• expanded online tools for finding lost life insurance policies 
• reviewed health plan filings under new TennCare requirements 
• promoted home safety tips during wildfire and storm season 

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance also reduced workers' comp rates for 2025, continuing a twelve-year trend of lowering premiums for Tennessee businesses. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance helps consumers through complaint mediation, licensing support, and public service programs. It also achieved a 96 percent satisfaction rate from Tennesseans seeking help. 

TDCI promotes awareness through campaigns on disaster readiness, flood insurance, and health coverage. It shares fraud warnings and consumer tips during enrollment seasons and severe weather.