Kansas Insurance Department

Happy Juneteenth! In observance of this holiday, our office will be closed Wednesday, June 19.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Flag Day! Today, we commemorate the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777.

Today’s episode of our Real Life Regulators podcast is part one of a three-part series titled “Hatching from the Egg to Creating Your Own Nest Egg”. Part one will focus on young adults. Young Adults have so much time to prepare for retirement, but the best time to start planning your future is yesterday. We will discuss common pitfalls, misconceptions, obstacles, and fraud that many young people face regarding finances and their future. Listen to Ep. 16: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f61daf17-f6b9-47b1-9ddd-bdf6a34e215f

🚫 Butler County man sentenced for insurance fraud

“Insurance fraud costs all Kansans in the form of increased premiums every year,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “The Department will continue pursuing penalties against anyone committing insurance fraud in Kansas.”

Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/3X3Lifq

For more department news, visit: https://buff.ly/2MjCfoK

May is Hypertension Education Month, a time to reflect on how making small changes can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure (HBP), happens when the pressure of the circulating blood is consistently too high, and when left uncontrolled, can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Learn more about preventing and managing high blood pressure here: https://buff.ly/3KiJYxF

This Memorial Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of our fallen heroes. In observance of the holiday, our office will be closed on Monday, May 27th.

If your home is damaged by leaking pipes, a storm, or other water sources, you and your family could be a target for fraud. Keep these common signs in mind when hiring someone to make repairs.

It is Contractor Fraud Awareness Week, and we are partnering with the National Insurance Crime Bureau to educate Kansans. Homeowners and businesses are targets of fraudulent contractors, especially during storm season. Learn more at:
https://buff.ly/4aoNqkZ

When Contractors Can’t Be Trusted
https://buff.ly/3ysFEta

10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Contractor Fraud and Abuse
https://buff.ly/44WL2B6

Storm season insurance claims cost $442 million in 2023

“The Kansas Department of Insurance collects this data yearly to better understand the impact of storm events across Kansas,” said Schmidt. “This data is important to help the Department monitor trends in the marketplace.”

Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/44IE3vv

For more department news, visit: https://buff.ly/2MjCfoK

Wednesday was our Pink Party & Cancer Walk! Despite the rain, our Support Squad showed up to walk for breast cancer awareness. Participants filled out a Why I Walk bib to honor the personal connections they have to the cause. Employees also contributed to a pink snack sale, with all proceeds going to Race Against Breast Cancer. 🎀💗

We were thrilled to be a part of another sunny All Schools Parade in McPherson last Friday to celebrate education and kids!

Our building is experiencing an unexpected power outage. Our staff will operate remotely for the rest of the business day. Normal office hours will resume Wednesday, May 15.

Contact us for assistance:
785-296-3071
[email protected]

🌸 We hope all mothers have a wonderful weekend! To all the amazing moms out there, we want to celebrate you today and every day. Happy Mother's Day! 💕

🎓 🏆 Kansas Department of Insurance awards scholarships to finalists of financial literacy essay contest

“This year’s winners demonstrated the ability to make an investment plan that builds upon their personal goals while evaluating risk and the threat of fraud,” said Schmidt. “Congratulations to all the winners this year, and I encourage them to apply their financial knowledge as they further their education.”

Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/4aegKe5

For more department news, visit: https://buff.ly/2MjCfoK

Today’s podcast is a special episode that was recorded live during the 2024 NASAA Investor Education Training. We talked with representatives from the Ontario Securities Commission and discussed the downfall of crypto asset trading platform Quadriga. Clients entrusted their assets to Quadriga, which provided false assurances that those assets would be safeguarded. In reality, Quadriga’s CEO Gerry Cotten spent, traded and used those assets at will. Gerry Cotten was able to misuse client assets for years, unchecked and undetected, ultimately bringing down the entire platform.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ontario-securities-commission-episode/id1493439730?i=1000654783667

Severe weather is forecasted to hit Kansas tonight and this week. Take precautionary measures, ensure you are prepared with extra supplies in a sheltered location, and that vehicles and other property are protected. Take pictures of your property before storms hit to ensure that in the event you have property damage, the insurance claims process can be expedited.

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt offers assistance to victims of Westmoreland tornado

“As residents and communities focus on the long-term recovery, the Kansas Department of Insurance stands ready to assist wherever possible,” said Commissioner Schmidt. “I encourage all Kansans who have experienced property damage from recent storms to call the Department if you have questions about your insurance claim or if you encounter insurance-related problems along the way.”

Read the full article here:https://insurance.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/RELEASE-Kansas-Insurance-Commissioner-Vicki-Schmidt-offers-assistance-to-victims-of-Westmoreland-tornado.pdf

For more department news, visit: https://insurance.kansas.gov/news/

Our team is in Westmoreland to assist with insurance claim concerns.

If you were impacted by recent storms and have questions about insurance and the next steps, visit the Resource Center at 105 South 2nd Street, Westmoreland, KS, or contact us:
785-296-3071
[email protected]
insurance.kansas.gov

Have an insurance complaint?
https://insurance.kansas.gov/complaint/
800-432-2484
[email protected]

Consumer Connection: Life Insurance Awareness Day

“Life insurance can be an important tool for financial security and peace of mind to families in the unfortunate event of an untimely death,” said Schmidt. “Whether you are shopping for life insurance, have an issue with an existing policy, or believe you have an unclaimed life insurance benefit the Department can help.”

Read the full article here:https://insurance.ks.gov/documents/department/consumer-connection/Consumer-Connection-5-2024.pdf

For more department news, visit: https://insurance.kansas.gov/news/

Thank you to everyone who participated in the first "Know Your Regulator" training on Tuesday! A special thanks to the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA) for partnering with us to provide this free, hybrid CE to the insurance agents of Kansas!

Join us in person or online for the second installment, "What to Know About Insurance Fraud," on June 25th! Register at https://www.kaia.com/knowyourregulator/

May 2nd is National Life Insurance Awareness Day! Take the time to review your policy! Life insurance can provide financial security and peace of mind to families in case of an untimely death. It can pay off debts, provide income, and fund important expenses like a college education or keeping a business running.

Reach out to us or check out our resources at https://buff.ly/41vitaZ

If you are unsure whether your deceased family member had a life insurance policy, you can use the NAIC's Life Insurance Policy Locator Service by visiting https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/.

Please join us in congratulating Eileen Zhao for winning third place in the Junior Achievement of Kansas financial literacy essay scholarship contest, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Insurance! 🏆🎉

"Injunction issued against Smith General Ventures, LLC"

Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/3wf1lw4

For more department news, visit: https://buff.ly/2MjCfoK

Reminder to all Kansans affected by the recent storms and floods—please call the Kansas Department of Insurance if you need assistance with filing an insurance claim or if you have an insurance issue. Call 785-296-3071, email [email protected], or visit us online at Insurance.Kansas.gov.

Contact the Kansas Insurance Department if you need assistance with an insurance claim after a recent storm or flood.
insurance.kansas.gov
785-296-3071
[email protected]

Congratulations to Dylan Dodge for winning second place in the Junior Achievement of Kansas financial literacy essay scholarship contest, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Insurance! 🏆🎉

Washburn Rural High School

Securities bills designed to protect vulnerable Kansans signed into law

“Recouping a victim’s money after an investment scam is an incredibly low probability—less than five percent,” said Schmidt. “That’s why prevention is so important, particularly with the most vulnerable. These new laws will give financial advisors and the Department stronger tools to prevent fraud and go after bad actors.”

Read the full article here:https://insurance.ks.gov/documents/department/news-releases/Securities-bills-protect-4-24.pdf

For more department news, visit: https://insurance.kansas.gov/news/

News | Kansas Insurance Department (1) If you are having trouble viewing a release, first try to refresh the browser window in which it pops up. You can do this by clicking the ‘Refresh’ or ‘Reload’ button on your browser’s toolbar.

Insurance agents! Join us on Tuesday, April 30, as we kick off our "Know Your Regulator" CE series! During this first session, learn about the Do's and Don'ts of Producer Licensing with Licensing Division Director Monicka Richmeier!

As part of an effort to provide affordable and accessible continuing education for insurance producers, the Kansas Department of Insurance and the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents (KAIA) have partnered to provide this free CE series focused on the different functions of the Department.

Learn more and register at https://www.kaia.com/knowyourregulator/

Additional dates:
Session 2: What To Know About Insurance Fraud - June 25, 2024
Session 3: Overview Of The Rates And Forms Process - October 15, 2024

KCEE students receive financial literacy scholarships from the Kansas Department of Insurance

“This year’s winners demonstrated a strong connection between their personal financial goals and investing,” said Commissioner Schmidt. “The essays show that KCEE students are obtaining practical money skills that will serve them well in adulthood.”

Read the full article here:https://insurance.ks.gov/documents/department/news-releases/KCEE-students-receive-scholarships-4-24.pdf

For more department news, visit: https://insurance.kansas.gov/news/

Another talented Kansas student during Financial Literacy Month! Congratulations to Anusha Chaturvedi for winning second place in the Kansas Council for Economic Education financial literacy essay scholarship contest, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Insurance!