Oklahoma Looks Ahead, Celebrates Those Who Served Before

With any luck, by the time you read this, it will be out of date. Why? I hope Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry will have appointed a new insurance commissioner for the Sooner State.

One thing that will not change regardless of when you read this article is the gratitude I, and the staff of the Oklahoma Insurance Department, have for the insurance industry and all the work that was done by those who have helped to build it. Truly, you have built the house that we work in.

Even if he has not made the appointment, the Oklahoma Insurance Department will continue operating in a professional manner that should be a credit to the insurance industry. Gov. Henry has a reputation for being deliberate in making his appointments, and I am confident that the next commissioner will be a great selection.

Although my job as acting administrator has been tough, I have implemented a few internal changes that will allow much of our transition to be completed before the new commissioner takes office.

Of course, the immediate question for Oklahoma’s insurance industry is who will be our next commissioner. Beyond that I fully expect that the Oklahoma Legislature will tackle tort reform and workers’ compensation reform.

Also on the docket will be changes in health insurance law to conform with federal requirements relating to health savings accounts. Look for changes in high deductible health care policies. Federal law allows consumers a tax break on money deposited into health savings accounts if they have a health care policy with deductibles of at least $1,000. Some benefits will be reduced in high deductible policies in order to comply with federal law. Oklahoma will have until 2006 in order to make the changes.

Also look for a review of changes implemented last year to the State Board for Property and Casualty Rates in House Bill 2470. Among other things, HB 2470 changed Oklahoma’s ratemaking system from a prior approval format for many lines of property and casualty rates to use and file for all but workers’ comp. At the least, there will be some tweaking of the way the board operates under the new scenario.

Other changes in HB 2470 included raising the minimum liability coverage each motorist must carry from 10/20/10 to 25/20/25. Although the bill took effect Nov. 1, that particular section does not become effective until April 1–and then only on policies that renew thereafter. Although we do not expect the legislature to revisit liability limits, those who sell auto insurance will be most affected by this section.

I want you to know that a very proud, confident and professional staff is running the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Staff members have an average of 7.4 years of service to the department. I have complete confidence in their ability to accomplish the business of insurance regulation for Oklahoma.

As you know, the Oklahoma Legislature has the responsibility to write the laws that the governor signs. The Oklahoma Insurance Department has the job of enforcing laws that are relevant to the insurance industry. Despite our leadership change, we are in a very stable position and ready to move forward.

We are re-doubling our efforts to serve the public and communicate with those who need our assistance. We invite the public–and agents–to visit or call us now or in the future.

Carroll Fisher’s resignation and the events leading up to it were very difficult for the staff and for me personally. However, we are ready, willing and going forward.

Finally, while we wait for the new head of our agency, we have embarked on a project to recognize all of our commissioners since statehood in 1907. Thus far, 13 men and women have served in the capacity of Oklahoma insurance commissioner.

The plan is to hang photographs of all 13 (and our next commissioner) in the large conference room of Oklahoma Insurance Department, along with other memorabilia. Thus far, the project has proven interesting, and a little inspiring when you think about all the years and labor that went into making us who we are today. Three of our commissioners served two years or less, but two commissioners served more than 20 years.

Perhaps some of you have known past Oklahoma insurance commissioners and will have a trip down “memory lane.” We plan to have a gala event sometime around the holidays to unveil our project, but of course you are welcome to stop by the agency any time to take a look.

Oklahoma commissioners and the year they took office are: T.J. McCombs, 1907; Milas Lasater, 1909; P.A. Ballard, 1911; A.L. Welch, 1913; E.W. Hardin, 1920; Jess G. Read, 1927; Donald Dickey, 1947; Robert L. Birdwell, 1954; Joe B. Hunt, 1955; Gerald Grimes, 1975; Cathy Weatherford, 1991; John P. Crawford, 1995; Carroll Fisher, 1999.

Daryl England is Oklahoma’s Deputy Insurance Commissioner. He currently serves as acting director of the insurance department.