Looking Back
Former Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer Reflects on the Kansas
Insurance Department’s Accomplishments During His Term.
T
he list of accomplishments of the Kansas Insurance
Department during the past four years is a lengthy one.
As my term as Kansas Commissioner of Insurance ends,
I would like to reflect back on the work that our staff
has completed for both agents and consumers.
Our department staff is as talented and as consumer-oriented
as I have ever known in the insurance industry. Their work
under my stewardship for the past four years has been
outstanding. Below are some of the major achievements.
The Kansas Insurance Certificate – The need for quality,
work-ready employees in the insurance industry in our
state was the direct motivation for developing this public-
private program involving institutions of higher learning
throughout Kansas. We have set in motion a program that
recognizes college graduate certificate holders for their
insurance knowledge as they enter the work force. Learn
more about the program at www.ksinsurancecertificate.org.
Don’t Text and Drive initiative – The need to emphasize
driver safety through a no-texting-while-driving pledge
contest saw nearly 40,000 people throughout the state sign
on to the program, all the while having fun by supporting
their favorite state university. KID coordinated the pledge
drive with the cooperation of the various universities,
the Kansas Department of Transportation and insurance
companies. The program undoubtedly reduced accidents
and perhaps saved lives.
Financial Services Summit – Business leaders throughout
the state met annually to discuss regulations and initiatives
involved with financial services, especially insurance. Again,
this was a public-private partnership program that attracted
major players in the industry to collaborate on ideas and
issues that would strengthen Kansas initiatives.
Integration of Securities Office with KID – KID proposed,
and the Kansas Legislature passed, legislation that placed
the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner under the
jurisdiction of the insurance department and strengthened
the enforcement activities of both agencies. The move
streamlined state government and provided economies of
scale in both operating budgets, with more yet to come.
Increased Health Insurance Choices – With the continued
concerns over the Affordable Care Act and its consequences,
KID has been able to work with prospective health insurance
companies to add new plans to the federal government
marketplace. Unlike many areas of the United States, Kansas
has been able to offer choices in health care coverage
during the past four years that provided competition in
both pricing and services. The KID Health and Life Division
personnel deserve a huge thanks for aggressively recruiting
carriers to serve Kansas consumers.
Consumer refinements – Our Consumer Assistance Division
added two programs that help reinforce our department’s
mission to educate and advocate for Kansans. We were on
the cutting edge of a Life Insurance Locator Service, which
has now expanded into a national database through the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners. We also
added a website chat feature on our home page, which is
staffed Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. This allows consumers to
get a quick response for insurance
concerns. Agents can also log on
and chat with a Licensing/Market
Regulation staff member too.
Captive Legislation – We
successfully sponsored legislation
that would increase the number of
businesses who could originate their
own captive insurance companies,
thereby enhancing current Kansas
businesses. Originally, the captive statute was only for the
aircraft manufacturing business.
Consumer Safety and Less Regulation – The Department initiated
a fingerprinting requirement for new agents, helping to ensure
the safety of Kansas insurance consumers. We also have worked
hard to reduce the regulatory burden for companies operating in
the state, so they can offer consumers more competitive products.
Workers Compensation Cleanup – Through much hard work
in our legal division, we were able to reduce the caseload of
backlogged workers compensation filings, closing more than
2,000 cases, some dating back to 1985. We were also able to
oversee the reduction of workers compensation insurance
rates for Kansas businesses for four consecutive years.
Improved Coordination with Other State Agencies – Our increased
transparency and interest in working closely with other state agencies
to better serve Kansans has benefitted consumers across the state.
A Leaner, More Efficient Agency – Through retirements and
attrition, we reduced the number of department employees by
more than 20 while keeping our efficiency and responsibility
to Kansans at a peak level. We successfully consolidated several
divisions, providing even better service and more efficiencies.
NerdWallet Award – The NerdWallet website recognized KID
as one of the most responsive and consumer-friendly state
insurance departments in the United States. Our employees
deserve a big round of applause for earning this recognition.
There are many other accomplishments I could list that
benefit Kansas agents and consumers, but those noted
stand out. I have been privileged to work with such a
conscientious, talented group of insurance professionals
who will continue the department’s mission to “Regulate,
Educate and Advocate.”
A Warm Thank You To Ken Selzer From KAIA
The association would like to express its gratitude
for your service to our industry. Thank you for your
willingness to engage with KAIA and its members to
thoroughly address the issues they face in their day-
to-day operations. We wish you the best in all your
future endeavours.
| January - February 2019 | KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
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