The Ticker

Taps Matthew Tapp as deputy commissioner of the Department of Insurance’s Consumer Protection Division. Along with four years as associate commissioner of the Consumer Protection Division, Tapp also has eight years of experience at the Indiana Department of Insurance and a year working for the Indiana State Senate.

Reports that the Insurance Department independent external review process for health insurance claims has overturned denials for about 48% of eligible claims submitted, or 655 of 1,353 eligible claims, since 2024. Launched in January 2024, this process allows insureds to appeal insurance claim denials to an independent board of doctors and healthcare professionals; if the board overturns the denial, the insurance company is required to cover the claim. Claims are only eligible for review if the insured has already pursued and completed the insurance company’s internal appeal process and still received a denial.

Reaccredits the insurance regulators of New Jersey and Tennessee for another five years.

Fills two senior positions at the Insurance Administration:Megan Mason was hired as associate commissioner of life and health and Giri Govada was promoted to associate commissioner of operations and technology. Mason, who also worked at the agency from 2012 to 2016, most recently served as director of government affairs and public policy for the Steptoe law firm. Govada was previously senior information technology project manager for the Insurance Administration from July 2025.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, all admitted homeowners and private passenger automobile insurers licensed in the state are required to file annual rate transparency reports with the Department of Insurance. The digital reports must be submitted on the first day of each year. Required data includes the percentage of average premium connected with various cost elements, including claims cost and loss adjustment expense; definitions of cost elements, and further explanations, as necessary, of premium cost.

Has begun accepting applications for homeowner grants of up to $10,000 to pay for roof enhancements against storm damage. Legislation signed in 2024 established the Strengthen Kentucky Homes Program and provided $5 million in funding. Under the program, a “fortified roof” encompasses stronger edges to keep the roof from being torn from the house, ring-shank nails used to attach the roof to help prevent winds from detaching it; sealed roof decking against water damage; and shingles that can take impacts from 2-inch hail.

Insurers paid $879.1 million to settle 82,498 storm damage claims in the state in 2025, the Insurance Department said. That nearly doubled the $442 million paid out on 147,710 claims in 2023.

Legislation submitted in the State Assembly would establish the first statewide system for management of wildfire smoke damage insurance claims, according to Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. The Smoke Damage Recovery Act (AB 1795), sponsored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D), is intended to address issues insureds faced following the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County. Its measures include establishing state protocols for inspecting, sampling, and testing smoke-related contaminants from homes; mandating that insurers adhere to consistent remediation approaches for returning residences to prefire condition; prohibiting cessation of insurance additional living expenses benefits until homes are ruled safe for residents to return; and mandating that carriers inspect claims of smoke damage within 30 days.