The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. Founded in 1871, the U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories to coordinate regulation of multistate insurers.
Our members are state insurance regulators from diverse backgrounds—but are united in their shared commitment to set standards and ensure fair, competitive, and healthy insurance markets to protect consumers. The singular mission of the NAIC is to support our members in these noble causes.
In addition to safeguarding the insurance sector, we also provide consumer protection and education, data collection and analysis, technology, financial assessments and reporting, and licensing and testing.
Our state-based system brings regulators together and empowers them to act in the best interests of the people in their states. At the same time, we also enable commissioners to collaborate and learn from each other, while applying resources to individual states’ needs.
Insurance is a promise to be there when people need protection most. We provide training and accreditation programs to regulators at all levels and education for consumers.
Our primary regulatory priorities are decided by our members, who continue to work on these crucial priorities and other important issues impacting consumers and the industry throughout the year.
Climate Risk/Natural Catastrophes and Resilience
Mitigation, consumer education, and closely working together remain central to tackling the threat posed by increased climate risks. The NAIC’s proposed National Climate Resilience Strategy for Insurance provides for a unified approach, data collection and utilization, and resiliency actions, including the launch of a comprehensive NAIC Climate Risk Dashboard to measure and evaluate protection gaps. Among its actions, the NAIC will also seek to create new resilience tools, advocate for pre-disaster mitigation funding, and develop scenario analysis resources for state regulators.
Learn MoreInsurer Financial Oversight and Transparency
Aiming to enhance oversight and adapt to evolving investment strategies, the NAIC’s “Framework for Insurer Investment Regulation” will reduce blind reliance on credit rating providers and modernize the role of the NAIC’s Securities Valuation Office. Other strategic items include developing a modernized Economic Scenario Generator, as well as continuing to implement the Asset Adequacy Testing framework (AG 53) to bring greater transparency and precision to the assessment of cash flows for insurers’ structured securities holdings.
Learn MoreUse of AI by Insurers and Cyber Risk:
The rapid development and use of artificial intelligence and other technologies create opportunity but also raise key questions regarding consumer privacy, cyber risk, carrier needs and capabilities, and the complexity of the regulatory landscape. The NAIC’s Innovation, Cybersecurity, and Technology (H) Committee positions the organization on the front lines of this field. In 2024, among other items, the NAIC’s agenda includes facilitating educational and engagement opportunities, leading key projects and efforts to monitor and support adoption of the Model Bulletin on the Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems by Insurers, researching and monitoring trends, proposing a regulatory framework for overseeing third-party data and predictive models, and completing the development of the Cybersecurity Event Response Plan. Through the Privacy Protections (H) Working Group, state insurance regulators are focusing on the future of safeguarding consumers’ sensitive information through modernized and enhanced privacy protections.
Learn MoreMarketing of Insurance Products
State insurance regulators will once again take a multipronged approach to protecting consumers from deceptive and misleading insurance marketing. In addition to coordinating with Congress and federal agencies, state insurance regulators will strengthen information sharing among their departments and develop a tool hosted at NAIC.org for consumers to check insurance producers’ licenses, with additional information available on state insurance department websites. Other steps include modifying NAIC model laws to grant regulatory power over health insurance lead generators. To further assist consumers and help close the protection gap for older adults, the NAIC continues to call for Congress to restore states’ regulatory authority over the Medicare Advantage market.
Learn MoreRace and Insurance, Financial Inclusion, and Protection Gaps
These interrelated, multifaceted issues span personal, political, and public policy realms as they affect consumers, insurance regulation, and the industry. Dedicated to leading in each of these critical areas, the NAIC will continue to identify related issues in 2024, focus on closing protection gaps and widening financial inclusion, receive updates, and recommend statutory or regulatory changes.
