Office address: 1 Commerce Way, Little Rock, AR 72202
Website: insurance.arkansas.gov
Year established: 1917
Employees: 158+
Key people: Alan McClain (commissioner), Russ Galbraith (chief deputy commissioner), Melvin Anderson and Letty Hardee (deputy commissioners), Lindsay Harp (director), Sara Farris (general counsel)
Operating budget: $194.8 million (FY 2025)
The Arkansas Department of Insurance (Arkansas Insurance Department or AID) is the state agency that oversees insurance companies, agents, and policies in Arkansas. It protects consumers by enforcing insurance laws, investigating complaints, and regulating how insurance is sold and managed.
The Arkansas Department of Insurance began in 1917 to manage rising demands in state insurance oversight. It replaced the Insurance Bureau formed in 1873 under the Auditor’s Office.
Since then, it has grown into an important government entity that protects policyholders and regulates insurance business statewide. AID has reached several milestones and taken bold actions across its history:
These steps show how AID has balanced regulation, education, and enforcement. Their actions have kept consumer protection and industry stability at the core of its mission.
AID operates under the Arkansas Insurance Code, section 23-61-101(c), which gives it legal power to regulate insurance. Its core mission is to protect Arkansans by making sure insurance companies are fair, stable, and compliant.
The Arkansas Department of Insurance enforces state rules while also guiding how insurance is sold, priced, and delivered. It carries out its work through 15 divisions:
This Arkansas department is headed by a commissioner chosen by the governor and confirmed by the state senate.
This leadership role oversees all operations and makes sure that AID fulfills its public service mission. The current commissioner, Alan McClain, brings decades of experience within Arkansas state government.
The Arkansas Department of Insurance manages several important tasks to keep the insurance industry fair and stable across the state. Here’s what it regularly handles:
These responsibilities help protect people who buy insurance and keep companies honest. The department plays a key role in balancing public trust with business fairness.
The Arkansas Department of Insurance now approves liability insurance requirements for Arkansas home inspectors under Act 974 for all licensed home inspectors in the state. This ensures inspectors carry state-approved coverage that protects homebuyers from inspection errors or missed defects.
The department’s public employee claims division also managed the UAMS wage-loss benefits case for a spinal injury claim. After appeal, the court upheld the department’s decision, reinforcing its role in handling state employee workers’ compensation claims.
AID helps Arkansans resolve claims and understand their rights through its consumer services division. It also offers free tools online like the Insurance Rate Guide and complaint search system to help people make informed choices.
Other public outreach and education efforts of the Arkansas Department of Insurance include:
The department also hosts fairs and school events to teach insurance basics. These outreach activities ensure that Arkansans stay protected and well-informed.
Brand new hall of fame will welcome first honorees at a sold-out banquet at the University of Central Arkansas
