My Plan to Fix Oklahoma’s Insurance Crisis
On day one I will start making changes to lower rates, make claims fair and transparent, and increase insurance choice. No longer will insurance companies just do what they want. Transparency and fairness will be our priority.
We will lower insurance rates.
All rate filings will be analyzed before rates go into effect. If they are too high they will be rejected. We will make sure all Oklahomans are charged fairly.
We will make the claims process fair and transparent for Oklahoma customers.
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. No longer will complaints just get a letter from the OID.
We will ensure access to the Oklahoma marketplace for companies that have never written business here.
We will work with companies that want to come to Oklahoma and serve our residents fairly. Creating a fair playing field for insurers will encourage new companies to compete for your business.
We will strengthen fraud investigations. Insurance companies that play by the rules deserve to have a fair playing field. We won’t tolerate illegal claims activity that causes everyone’s rates to go up.
I will meet regularly with legislators to lay out my priorities and to hear their questions and concerns so that we can work together to fix the insurance issues that plague Oklahoma consumers.
My legislative priorities are simple:
Make Mediation mandatory if requested by either party - this will dramatically reduce lawsuits and thus cost, while improving consumers claims experience.
Work to expand UM coverage to cover damage to your vehicle.
Work towards creating a windstorm/reinsurance plan to help mitigate storm losses.
Tighten the rules surrounding expenses that can be used in rating - Oklahomans should not have to pay higher rates to allow companies to name professional sports stadiums in other states or own a company jet.
Improve reporting and enforcement of uninsured motorists laws.
Strengthen laws related to distracted and impaired driving.
Fix medical billing transparency.
Make third party lawsuit financing illegal.
Require out of state roofing companies to be bonded, insured and licensed - it is time to stop bad out of state actors taking advantage of Oklahomans and their insurance companies.
I will be available to the policyholders of Oklahoma. 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.
I will work hard every day to ensure that insurance is Available to buy when you need it, that rates are Affordable and that claims practices are Acceptable and Fair.
