Kansas Insurance Commissioner


The Kansas Insurance Commissioner, in full the Kansas State Insurance Commissioner, has the primary responsibility to the people whose personal lives are protected by insurance in the state of Kansas. It is an elected position and is currently held by Republican Vicki Schmidt.
The Kansas Insurance Department was established by the Kansas Legislature in 1871. It has four major regulatory functions:
  1. Regulate and Review Companies: Sixty-five companies are headquartered in Kansas, plus 1,592 other companies sell policies in Kansas. The Kansas Insurance Department, under the direction of the Commissioner, regulates and reviews these companies to make sure they are solvent and comply with insurance laws and regulations;
  2. Educate Consumers: To educate consumers about insurance, the Kansas Insurance Department publishes brochures and rate guides on all kinds of insurance coverage; provides speakers on numerous insurance topics; and prepares vital public service information to mass media
  3. Assist Consumers: The Kansas Insurance Department helps consumers when they have disputes with insurance companies. Such assistance has resulted in millions of dollars in refunds and claims payments for consumers; and
  4. License Agents; Approximately 22,000 resident agents and 68,000 nonresident agents are licensed in Kansas to sell insurance products. The Kansas Insurance Department also requires agents to meet ongoing continuing education requirements.

    Office holders

The office was known as the Superintendent of Insurance until 1927, when the title changed to Commissioner of Insurance.

Kansas State Superintendents of Insurance

NameTermParty
William C. Webb1871–1873Republican
Edward Russell1873–1874Republican
Harrison Clarkson1874–1875Republican
Orrin T. Welch1875–1883Republican
Richard B. Morris1883–1887Democratic
Daniel W. Wilder1887–1891Republican
W. H. McBride1891–1893Republican
S. H. Snider1893–1895Republican
George T. Anthony1895–1896Republican
Alexander P. Riddle1896–1897Republican
Webb McNall1897–1899Populist
Willard V. Church1899–1903Republican
Charles H. Luling1903–1907Republican
Charles W. Barnes1907–1911Republican
Isaac S. Lewis1911–1915Republican
Carey J. Wilson1915–1919Republican
Frank L. Travis1919–1923Republican
William R. Baker1923–1927Republican

Kansas State Commissioners of Insurance