Nebraska Department of Insurance

Office address: 1526 K St Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508 
Website: doi.nebraska.gov 
Year established: 1933 
Employees: N/A 
Key people: Eric Dunning (director), Martin Swanson (deputy director), Andrea Johnson (deputy chief financial regulator), Michael Muldoon (life actuary), Maggie Reinert (division administrator), Kristy Hadden (company administrator), Lori Bruss (securities officer) 
Operating budget: $14 million (FY 2024) 

The Nebraska Department of Insurance (NDOI) oversees insurance companies and agents to make sure they follow state laws. It handles licensing, fraud investigations, and helps people recover money or find lost life insurance policies. 

History of Nebraska Department of Insurance 

The Nebraska Department of Insurance was formally created in 1933 as an independent state agency to regulate insurance and protect consumers. But its roots go back to 1864, when insurers were first required to register with the territorial auditor. 

Here are some key milestones in NDOI’s development: 

• 1864: the Nebraska territorial government required insurers to register with the territorial auditor 
• 1873: the Legislature expanded the auditor’s role and required the attorney general’s approval for certifications 
• 1899: lawmakers passed a bill to form a bureau of insurance, but the courts found it unconstitutional 
• 1913: the state created the State Insurance Board and the role of insurance commissioner 
• 1919: the Civil Administrative Code placed insurance regulation under the Department of Trade and Commerce 
• 1974: State Fire Marshal’s Office was moved from the Nebraska Department of Insurance to the Governor’s supervision 
• 1988: the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA) became Nebraska’s first approved liability self-insurance pool 
• 2000: Travelers became Plan Administrator for Nebraska’s Workers’ Comp Insurance, replacing Aon and Employers Insurance of Wausau 
• 2019: Nebraska’s domestic insurers ranked second in surplus and sixth in assets nationwide 
• 2022: Fraud Prevention Division earned state accreditation from the Nebraska Crime Commission 
• 2023: department launched a Pet Insurance License to support the rising demand for coverage products 

The department’s structure continued to evolve through the 1940s and beyond. It now includes ten divisions such as legal, fraud prevention, and consumer affairs. 

Mandate of Nebraska Department of Insurance 

The NDOI follows certain sections of the Nebraska Revised Statutes that give it the power to regulate insurance. Its mission is to protect the public by enforcing fair insurance practices and meeting its legal duties.  

The Nebraska Department of Insurance is led by Director Eric Dunning, who is appointed by the governor. NDOI’s key divisions also include: 

• Administrative Services: manages finances, IT, and records 
• Insurance Complaint: handles complaints and questions 
• Financial Examination: checks insurer finances and licenses 
• Fraud Prevention: investigates false claims 
• SHIP Program: gives Medicare help to seniors 
• Property and Casualty: reviews home, auto, and business rates 
• Medical Professional Liability: manages malpractice coverage and fees 
• Producer Licensing: oversees agent licenses and renewals 
• Legal: enforces Nebraska insurance laws 
• Life and Health: reviews health, life, and annuity policies 

The department also works with the NAIC and IAIS to shape national and international standards. These efforts help monitor cross-border insurers and support a stable global insurance system. 

Key responsibilities  

The Nebraska Department of Insurance manages key tasks that keep the insurance market fair and safe for everyone. These include: 

• checking if prices and terms are fair 
• making sure that companies can pay claims 
• granting and renewing agent licenses 
• helping people with insurance problems 
• looking into false or dishonest claims 
• letting new companies operate in Nebraska 
• checking if rules are being followed 
• sharing insurance tips and tools 
• overseeing medical liability coverage 

These duties help protect consumers and keep the market stable.  

Recent initiatives and regulatory focus 

In 2025, the Nebraska Department of Insurance expanded Medicare Supplement access for people under 65 and issued storm damage guidance. It also flagged rising Medicare fraud and warned residents about common billing scams.  

Other recent efforts highlight its broader regulatory focus: 

• approved Midwest Holding’s sale to Antarctica Capital 
• promoted use of AI and tech at Insurtech on the Silicon Prairie 2025 
• ​​​​​​​monitored market trends to adjust credit insurance rates for 2025–2027 

These moves show a strong push toward faster regulation, fairer access, and smarter protections. The NDOI continues adjusting to real-time needs and risks. 

Consumer protection and outreach 

The Nebraska Department of Insurance helps people file and resolve insurance complaints through its Insurance Complaint Division. It shares free brochures, newsletters, and guides to teach Nebraskans about insurance rules and policies.  

The agency also runs public campaigns on disaster preparedness and insurance fraud. Tools like the Medicare Supplement Compare Tool and complaint database help people make smarter insurance choices.