Texas Department of Insurance : Everything you need to know

Office address: 1601 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 
Website: tdi.texas.gov  
Year established: 1876 
Employees: 1,240+ 
Key people: Cassie Brown (commissioner of insurance); Dan Paschal (chief deputy commissioner); Melissa Burkhart, Randall Evans, Jamie Walker, Leah Gillum, and Mark Worman (deputy commissioner); Debra Knight (state fire marshal) 
Operating budget: $110 million (FY 2024) 

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is the state agency that regulates insurance companies and protects policyholders in Texas. It makes sure insurance markets stay fair, stable, and open to the public.  

TDI plays a key role in consumer safety, economic health, and disaster recovery across one of the largest states in the US. 

History of Texas Department of Insurance 

The Texas Department of Insurance started in 1876 as the Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History. Lawmakers created it to stop fraud and help protect Texans buying insurance. Its duties grew to include fire safety and workers’ compensation. 

TDI’s history includes key milestones such as: 

• 1874: Texas passed its first law to control insurance and gave early oversight duties to the state comptroller 
• 1907: the commissioner received power to license agents and shut down companies breaking insurance rules 
• 1927: the Board of Insurance Commissioners formed to manage life, fire, and casualty insurance regulation 
• 1957: the State Board of Insurance replaced the earlier board and gained more authority over insurance markets 
• 1995: the Texas Department of Insurance became a single-head agency led by a commissioner appointed by the governor 

TDI now handles both policy oversight and emergency planning. Its history shows how Texas built a system to protect insurance buyers and the public. 

Texas Department of Insurance mandate 

The Texas Department of Insurance operates under state law to regulate insurers and safeguard people who buy insurance. Its legal powers come from the Texas Insurance Code and related statutes.  

The agency makes sure companies stay solvent and treat policyholders fairly. Key operational areas include the following core divisions: 

• Commissioner of Insurance: appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate 
• Consumer Protection Division: handles public complaints, investigates agent conduct, and supports customer education 
• Financial Regulation Division: reviews insurer finances, licenses new companies, and monitors risk exposure 
• Fraud and Enforcement Division: leads investigations, issues enforcement orders, and targets insurance-related fraud 
• State Fire Marshal’s Office: oversees inspections, fire code enforcement, and safety programs 

The Texas Department of Insurance is led by Commissioner Cassie Brown, who stepped into the role in 2021. She oversees operations through expert-led divisions across insurance types. Each area works together to keep the market honest, stable, and safe. 

Key responsibilities of the Texas Department of Insurance 

The Texas Department of Insurance manages key duties that support fair insurance practices, public safety, and market oversight: 

• licensing insurance companies and agents 
• monitoring insurer finances 
• reviewing rates and filings 
• investigating fraud and misconduct 
• resolving complaints 
• overseeing the workers’ compensation system 
• enforcing fire safety rules 
• analyzing insurance data 
• educating consumers 
• responding to disasters 

These responsibilities help keep the insurance system honest and responsive. TDI works to protect the public and strengthen insurer accountability. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

The Texas Department of Insurance has recently increased its focus on pricing fairness, disaster readiness, and market oversight.  

In early 2025, the agency backed a rule to stop forced home and auto bundling by insurers. The proposal aims to protect consumer choice and remove pressure from bundled coverage sales. 

Other areas showing new or ongoing attention include: 

1. evaluating acquisitions: approved the Sierra–PSLIC life insurer deal to support growth and safeguard policyholders 

2. tracking catastrophe data: collecting reports on cancellations and rate hikes following storms and weather events 

3. workers’ comp oversight: ruled on a Zurich treatment dispute case to define benefit limits 

These efforts show TDI’s role in balancing regulation with market needs. The Texas Department of Insurance continues to act where risks and fairness intersect. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The Texas Department of Insurance helps the public by resolving complaints, preventing fraud, and making insurance easier to understand.  

Its Consumer Protection team answers questions, reviews cases, and takes action when laws are broken. In 2024, its Fraud Unit recovered $58 million for Texas residents. TDI also builds awareness through tools, webinars, and bilingual guides on topics like coverage options and claims help.  

The InsurED platform offers education on health insurance, disaster prep, and workers’ comp. These outreach efforts give Texans better control over their insurance decisions.