Oklahoma to elect a new insurance commissioner at midterms
Oklahoma will elect a new insurance commissioner Nov. 3 as its current commissioner, Glen Mulready, reaches the end of his second term.
Insurance commissioners in the state hold the position for four years and are limited to eight-years in the position.
This year’s voters will have a choice between Republican Bob Sullivan and Democrat Craig MacIntrye.
Sullivan identifies himself as a “property and casualty insurance expert” on his campaign website.
He states his expertise includes being a certified insurance counselor, certified risk manager, chartered property and casualty underwriter, associate in Fidelity & Surety Bonding and a certified environmental specialist.
Sullivan currently works for the Alera Group and previously for Rich and Cartmill, the website states.
“Bob has seen carriers pull out of Oklahoma, leaving entire industries with one option and homeowners forced to pay more—or go without,” the website states. “He’s running to restore competition, cut costs, and deliver fast, fair claims for the people who actually pay the premiums.”
It adds that Sullivan “won’t take orders from the insurance lobbyist or career politicians. He’ll call out the price-gouging, expose slow-walking of claims and make insurance fair again for Oklahoma families and small businesses.”
The website continues by saying that Sullivan will fight for transparency, lower rates and accountability.
MacIntyre has worked in the insurance industry for more than 30 years, according to his campaign website. This includes working as an actuary, product manager, underwriting and claims oversight, risk management, reserving, policy writing, state filings, legislative initiatives and consulting on new insurance legislation.
His previous insurance work on his linkedIn includes roles at MacIntyre Holdings, an insurance consulting service, Home State Insurance Group and Old American County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
MacIntrye says on his site that Oklahomans deserve affordable insurance rates, acceptable and fair claims practices and available insurance.
“The Consumer Protection Division of the OID will be given new authority to track and initiate exams when there is a pattern of unfair claims practices reported,” the website states. “No longer will complaints just get a letter from the OID.”
The website also states that MacIntyre will strengthen fraud investigations and meet with legislators to make meditation mandatory if requested by either party.
“I will be available to the policyholders of Oklahoma,” MacIntyre said. “I want to hear from you. The Insurance Commissioner is an Advocate for the four million people who live in Oklahoma. I will have your back and work every day to improve insurance in Oklahoma.”
Insurify found that Oklahoma, California and Georgia are the states where policyholders are more likely to feel the influence of a news insurance commissioner on their home insurance premiums.
It found that since 2023, Oklahoma’s average home insurance premiums have increased by 38% and the next elected commissioner will be the first to exercise a new authority to reject excessive rate increases.
Images
Feature photo courtesy of LordHenriVoton/iStock
Embedded images of Republican Bob Sullivan and Democrat Craig MacIntrye from their campaign websites.