Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner

Office address: 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. West Tower, Suite 702 Atlanta, GA 30334  
Website: oci.georgia.gov 
Year established: 1983 
Employees: N/A 
Key people: John F. King (commissioner), Clark Groce (chief information officer), Craig Landolt (state fire marshal), Jeremy Betts (executive counsel), Jo Anne Oni and Derek Lyman (directors), Steve Manders (deputy commissioner) 
Operating budget: $243 million (FY 2025) 

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (OCI) oversees insurance regulation, fire safety enforcement, and fraud investigations statewide. It also licenses professionals and handles consumer complaints. 

History of Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner 

The Georgia OCI's roots can be traced back in 1877 when the General Assembly gave insurance oversight duties to the comptroller general. Over time, the role grew to add fire safety responsibilities in 1949 and small loan regulation in 1955.  

In 1973, it took on mobile home sales and construction oversight, expanding its work in public safety and regulation. The years that followed shaped the agency into what it is today: 

• 1983: became a constitutional office under the title Commissioner of Insurance 
• 1986: state law updated to replace comptroller general with Commissioner of Insurance 
• 2000: began using digital platforms for filings and licensing 
• 2018: Jim Beck elected commissioner before being suspended the next year 
• 2021: launched Citizenserve portal for licensing and safety plan applications 
• 2022: John King elected to a full four-year term as commissioner 

In 2023, the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner stopped Farmers Insurance from canceling thousands of homeowner policies without approval. The agency enforced state law to protect policyholders and warned the company of possible penalties. 

Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner mandate 

The Georgia OCI is a constitutional agency responsible for regulating the state’s insurance industry and enforcing fire safety laws. Its legal authority comes from Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA). 

The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is organized into three main divisions, each with its own specialized goals and operations: 

1. insurance division 
2. fraud investigation unit: investigates insurance fraud by individuals, companies, or license holders 
3. consumer services: handles complaints and resolves disputes with insurers and agents 
4. insurance product review: approves rates and policy forms for all major insurance types 
5. agents licensing: issues and manages licenses for insurance professionals 
6. insurance financial oversight: reviews financial records and licenses of insurers 
7. enforcement section: handles legal actions and supports agency compliance hearings 

8. safety fire division 

9. premium tax division 

The agency is led by the Commissioner of Insurance, an official elected every four years by Georgia voters. As of 2024, John King serves as commissioner. 

Key responsibilities  

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner has duties that affect both the insurance market and public safety. Some of its responsibilities are listed below: 

• issues credentials to agents, brokers, and insurers 
• approves filings through the Insurance Product Review section 
• investigates disputes via the consumer services division 
• oversees inspections, codes, and public safety outreach 
• leads criminal probes into scams and arson cases 
• approves safety plans for new construction projects 
• licenses installers, dealers, and factories 
• processes filings through the premium tax division 
• enforces compliance without needing court orders 
• promotes safety awareness and insurance literacy statewide 
• monitors insurer solvency and regulatory filings 
• manages GIMS, SERFF, and the Citizenserve portal 

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner also responds to insurance issues during declared emergencies and supports enforcement through administrative hearings. It also partners with NAIC systems to ensure transparency and industry compliance. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner stated in 2025 that no new laws are needed to review affiliate agreements. It already reviews insurer contracts, blocks improper dividends, and inspects company records to protect consumers. This allows the agency to prevent hidden risks and unfair dealings within insurance company structures. 

The Georgia OCI has built a strong record in consumer protection, insurance regulation, and disaster response. That leadership platform helped position Commissioner John King to launch a 2026 US Senate run. The agency’s work has raised its profile well beyond state lines. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner helps resolve disputes through its consumer services division. This division: 

• handles insurance complaints 
• investigates mental health parity issues 
• addresses managed care claim problems 

Providers with complaints are encouraged to use the Consumer Complaint Portal for faster resolution. The OCI also works with its criminal investigations division to combat insurance fraud and protect consumers from financial harm.