Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services

Office address: 530 W Allegan St #7, Lansing, MI 48933 
Website: michigan.gov/difs 
Year established: 2013 
Employees: 400+ 
Key people: Anita G. Fox (director); Laura Hall (chief deputy director); Renee Campbell, Joe Garcia, and Aaron Luetzow (senior deputy directors); Andrew Bedard (office of credit unions) 
Operating budget: $78 million (FY 2024-2025) 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) oversees more than 455,000 agents, companies, banks, and credit unions statewide. It protects consumers and promotes economic growth by ensuring safe, fair insurance and financial services. 

History of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services 

The Michigan DIFS was created in 2013 to unify financial and insurance oversight in the state. It replaced older agencies that once handled insurance, banking, and securities separately. The department was built to modernize regulation and improve how Michigan protects consumers.  

Here are some key moments in The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services’ development: 

• 2000: merged the Insurance Bureau, Financial Institutions Bureau, and securities functions into a new office 
• 2008: renamed that office as the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) 
• 2012: transferred the Securities Division from OFIR to another bureau under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs 
• 2013: formally launched DIFS through Executive Order 2013-1, centralizing regulation across industries 
• 2018: launched the Fraud Investigation Unit to handle insurance and financial fraud under Executive Order 2018-9 
• 2019: began enforcing new no-fault auto insurance reforms, giving drivers more control over personal injury coverage 
• 2023: responded to a Supreme Court ruling limiting retroactive impact of the 2019 no-fault reform on crash victims 
• 2024: issued guidance on AI use in insurance to promote fairness, accountability, and transparency in industry practices 

Since its formation, DIFS has expanded to include consumer services, market conduct reviews, and oversight of innovation in fintech and insurtech.  

Mandate of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services 

The Michigan DIFS was created under Executive Order 2013-1. The order gave DIFS the power to oversee insurance and financial institutions across Michigan. 

The agency is led by Director Anita Fox, who was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in January 2019. It also includes several offices: 

• office of consumer services: manages complaints and answers questions from the public 
• office of insurance licensing, investigations, and audits: handles licensing and checks for rule violations 
• office of banking: supervises state-chartered banks 
• office of credit unions: monitors state-chartered credit unions 
• office of innovation and research: explores new ideas in insurance and finance 

These offices help keep the state’s financial sector honest, efficient, and focused on the needs of Michigan residents. 

Key responsibilities  

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services carries out a range of tasks. Its main responsibilities include: 

• approves insurance rates and forms: checks pricing and language for legal compliance 
• licenses financial professionals and firms: issues licenses to agents, banks, and lenders 
• investigates consumer complaints: reviews complaints against licensed entities 
• audits and examines institutions: reviews financial condition of insurers and banks 
• regulates mortgage and finance firms: monitors compliance among lenders and brokers 
• enforces market conduct rules: checks how insurers treat policyholders 
• monitors financial solvency: ensures companies can meet obligations 
• handles fraud investigations: investigates financial and insurance fraud 
• develops policy and guidance: issues rules and bulletins 
• supports fintech and access: promotes safe innovation and inclusion 

These duties help DIFS protect the public, strengthen market trust, and keep Michigan’s financial systems steady. 

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

DIFS has stepped up efforts to guide fair use of technology and shield policyholders from hidden costs in claims. In 2024, it banned the depreciation of labor costs in homeowners insurance unless clearly agreed upon.  

Other recent outreach and leadership updates by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services in 2025 include: 

• homeownership month push: reminded residents to check insurance policies and flood coverage 
• spring policy review: urged families to add insurance checks to yearly spring tasks 
• senior chief deputy director: Laura Hall appointed to lead daily operations and oversee department-wide regulation efforts 

DIFS also released a bulletin that set clear expectations for how insurers should use AI. These updates show focus on transparency, planning, and better service. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services helps resolve complaints through its consumer services office. It also offers tools like the Life Insurance and Annuity Search. In 2024, it helped recover over $8 million in unpaid life insurance benefits.  

It runs education programs on insurance basics, financial safety, and fraud prevention. Tools like the DIFS Locator help verify licenses and guide informed decisions.