Nevada Division of Insurance appoints acting commissioner

The Nevada Department of Business and Industry (DBI) has appointed an acting commissioner for the Nevada Division of Insurance as the department starts recruitment to fill the position. 

Ned Gaines was appointed the acting commissioner July 2 and replaces Scott Kipper. A press release about Gaines’s appointment does not provide any details on Kipper’s leaving. 

The DBI is responsible for appointing the state’s insurance commissioner. Kipper was appointed in February 2023. 

Gaines joined the Division of Insurance in April as chief deputy commissioner. 

“I am excited to bring my past industry and regulatory experience to the Nevada Division to have a hand in shaping the insurance market in a way where the market thrives, and consumers are protected so they receive the benefits they paid for during their times of need,” Gaines said in an April announcement of his hiring. 

He has more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, the release says.

Gaines previously worked for the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner for 12 years, where he served in a variety of leadership roles, according to the release. His most recent position was deputy commissioner of rates, forms and provider networks. 

According to his LinkedIn profile, Gaines was previously the compliance manager for Grange Insurance Association. He has also worked for Farmers Insurance Group as a special claims representative, for First Acceptance Insurance as a claims manager, and for State Farm as an insurance agent. 

Gaines is currently a member of the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society and the Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, where he served as president of the Northwest Chapter.

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Photo of Ned Gaines, acting Nevada Division of Insurance commissioner. (Courtesy of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry)