Carson City, NV -
January 31, 2018Nevada
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.”
About the Department of Business and Industry
The
Department of Business and Industry is a cabinet level agency in Nevada State
government. Our objective is to encourage and promote the development and
growth of business and to ensure the legal operation of business in order to
protect consumers by maintaining a fair and competitive regulatory environment.
The Director’s office manages a number of programs and initiatives to address
the needs of businesses and consumers including business advocacy, a
comprehensive online business resource center, bond financing programs,
constituent services and consumer affairs. To learn more, visit http://business.nv.gov.
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