Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak

John D. Doak was sworn in as Oklahoma’s 12th Insurance Commissioner on January 10, 2011. For the Tulsa native, it was the culmination of a decades-long dream to combine his two passions: insurance and politics.

Doak’s dream to pursue a career in insurance began as a young man. His father, a stockbroker and oilman, taught him the value of hard work and the challenges and benefits of operating within a diverse financial network. His interest in politics was piqued during his days at the University of Oklahoma. It was there, during classes taught by former Oklahoma Gov. Henry Bellmon and former State Rep. Neal McCaleb, that Doak first realized his desire to pursue public office. He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.  

Shortly after graduation, Doak opened his own small business in Tulsa. Over the course of six years, he received numerous awards and commendations for his success, including being named the third Top Life Producer for Farmers Insurance.

Doak next served as an executive for several insurance firms including Marsh, Aon Risk Services, HNI Risk Services, and Ascension Insurance. Working at the national level allowed Doak the privilege of providing coverage in over 40 states and gave him invaluable insight into national issues concerning the insurance industry. During this time, Doak also served on the Governor’s Round Table for Business Development.

Such diverse experience in the industry, from small business owner to corporate executive, gives Commissioner Doak a unique and broad understanding of how insurance works and knowledge that benefits the businesses and citizens of Oklahoma. He is committed to ensuring that Oklahomans have access to affordable, transparent health care within a competitive, robust market that also helps businesses succeed.

Commissioner Doak has pledged to visit all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties every year he is in office.Stops on the tour include town halls, chambers of commerce, bail bond agencies, insurance agencies, funeral homes and more. Commissioner Doak says the trips are needed to stay in touch with the needs of Oklahomans and make sure they know the Oklahoma Insurance Department is available to help. The ambitious effort also reminds citizens that the OID works for all Oklahomans, not just those in the metropolitan areas of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He also established a catastrophe team to respond to disasters and launched the a nnual National Tornado Summit and Domestic Conference. These events share a common goal, to make the Oklahoma Insurance Department more accessible to consumers.

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The Oklahoma Insurance Department works hand-in-hand with lawmakers to pass legislation that will improve the lives of Oklahoma consumers and promote a robust insurance market.Thirteen OID request bills were signed by the Governor in 2012.These include:

• Senate Bill 1621- allows small employers to purchase group insurance through an employer association, which helps small businesses save money.
• Senate Bill 1439 - enacts tougher penalties for insurance fraud.
• House Bill 2318 - requires examinations of insurance companies once every 5 years instead of once every 3 years, raising the examination standards while spreading the cost over a longer time period.
• Senate Bill 1617 - paves the way for more captive insurance companies to do business in Oklahoma by capping their premium tax at $100,000.This is a business recruitment tool, as currently no captive companies are domesticated in Oklahoma.

Doak has often stated, “I’m a regulator with an opinion,” and under his leadership the Oklahoma Insurance Department has taken strides to reduce waste, streamline services, and advocate on the behalf of Oklahoma citizens. His administration’s accomplishments include:

• Visiting each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties each year he’s in office
• Returning the nearly $1million federal grant for conducting health insurance premium rate reviews
• Returning $10 million to the state Legislature that OID was legally authorized to spend
• Regaining full accreditation for the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Financial Division from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
• Re-focusing the efforts of OID’s Anti-Fraud Unit to investigate and actively pursue fraudulent activity, especially white-collar crime and crimes committed against the elderly
• Holding Oklahoma’s first National Tornado Summit and Domestic Insurance Conference

John and his wife, Debby, live in Tulsa with their children, Zack and Kasey.