Nevada Division of Insurance named 2017 Agency of the Year
Submitted by editor on Wed, 01/31/2018 - 10:03am
CARSON CITY — Nevada Department of Business and Industry Director C.J. Manthe announced that the Nevada Division of Insurance has been named the Department’s 2017 Agency of the Year.
The award was presented to Administrator Barbara Richardson and agency staff in recognition of the agency’s accomplishments that have positively impacted thousands of Nevadans.
“In spite of many challenges facing the insurance industry, the Division of Insurance continues to find innovative ways to educate and assist consumers, collaborate with other state officials to find solutions and improve their operational efficiencies,” said Manthe. “Their forward-thinking approach to fostering a regulatory environment that benefits both the industry and consumers has not gone unnoticed.”
Established by the Nevada Legislature in 1951, the Division’s mission is to protect the rights of Nevada consumers in their experiences with Nevada’s $14 billion insurance industry, and to ensure the financial solvency of insurers by advancing a sound regulatory environment that is responsive to the insurance needs of Nevada. During fiscal year 2017, the agency investigated more than 3,200 consumer complaints and recovered more than $5 million on behalf of consumers.
Under the leadership of Administrator Barbara Richardson, the Division fulfils its important mission with just 85 full time employees. The Division is organized into ten operational sections, which demonstrate the depth and breadth of the agency’s mandate: administrative, legal and enforcement, corporate and financial affairs, consumer, life and health, producer licensing, captive insurer, market compliance, self-insured workers compensation, and property and casualty.
During Commissioner Richardson’s tenure, she, along with her management team have implemented a number of innovative and progressive initiatives including:
— Enhanced communication and outreach to the public to inform Nevadans about health insurance enrollment opportunities;
— Creation of online educational tools to help consumers with homeowners, automobile, title, health and life insurance products;
— Collaboration with the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange and the office of Governor Brian Sandoval with insurance carriers to identify solutions for the 14 counties without access to Qualified Health Plans; and
— Implementation of emergency regulations for employee assistance programs to allow for additional counseling services for those impacted by the One October shooting in Las Vegas.
In addition to these initiatives, the Division has developed a strategic plan through 2021 aligned with Governor Sandoval’s strategic planning framework that provides a roadmap to facilitate the ongoing pursuit of excellence and further elevate the level of service to the industry and consumers in Nevada.
“I am so proud of every one of the hardworking and dedicated staff of the Division of Insurance who enjoy new challenges and strive to serve our state consumers in innovated ways, while still maintaining their focus on the goals of consumer protection,” said Commissioner Richardson. “They are really the recipients of this award and I know it will serve as motivation for them to continue striving for the benefit of the Nevada citizens.”
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