Georgia Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (OCI) – Overview and Key Initiatives
The Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI) is the state agency responsible for regulating insurance businesses and promoting fire safety in Georgia. Led by Commissioner John F. King since 2019, the OCI oversees licensing of insurance companies and agents, enforces insurance laws, investigates fraud and arson, and educates consumers. The FYI Express “Georgia OCI” page highlights several of the office’s initiatives and resources – from cracking down on unlicensed insurance agents to combating insurance fraud, encouraging fire safety, and providing tools like lost policy locators and educational quizzes for agents.
Commissioner John F. King and OCI’s Mission
John F. King is Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, serving as the state’s chief insurance regulator and fire marshal. Appointed in 2019 and later elected to a full term in 2022, King made history as the first Hispanic statewide official in Georgia. Under his leadership, the OCI’s mission is to protect Georgia’s consumers by ensuring fair and lawful insurance practices and improving fire safety standards. The agency licenses and regulates all insurance entities operating in Georgia, investigates consumer complaints and reports of insurance fraud, and conducts fire safety inspections to prevent fires. Commissioner King has emphasized consumer protection, urging vigilance against illegal insurance activity and unsafe practices. For example, he has encouraged the public to report any unlicensed insurance agents and to stay informed about insurance scams, reflecting the OCI’s commitment to strict enforcement of laws and education of consumers.
Licensing Enforcement: Cracking Down on Unlicensed Agents
All insurance agents must be licensed by the state to legally sell or service insurance in Georgia. The OCI is actively cracking down on unlicensed agents operating without proper credentials, as these individuals pose risks to consumers. By law, “all insurance agents, solicitors, counselors, brokers and adjusters…must be licensed to do business in Georgia.” If an agent is unlicensed, consumers have little protection if something goes wrong – policies sold might be invalid and claims may not be honored. To combat this, Commissioner King’s office urges Georgians to verify the license status of any insurance agent or company before doing business with them. The OCI provides an online License Lookup tool and a consumer helpline (800-656-2298) to check whether an agent or insurer is properly licensed and in good standing. Suspected unlicensed activity can be reported to the OCI for investigation. This enforcement focus helps ensure that only qualified, vetted professionals are selling insurance in the state, thereby protecting consumers from fraud or incompetence. Commissioner King’s stance is clear: there should be zero tolerance for unlicensed agents in Georgia’s insurance market, and the OCI is prepared to take action against those operating outside the law.
Insurance Fraud: "The Crime You Pay For"
Insurance fraud is a major concern of the Georgia OCI, as fraudulent insurance activities ultimately cost honest policyholders money. The phrase “The Crime You Pay For” underscores that when someone cheats the insurance system, the expense is passed on to everyone in the form of higher premiums. Industry studies back this up – according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, fraud adds roughly 25% to property and casualty insurance rates. In practical terms, the FBI estimates that insurance fraud costs the average American family an extra $400–$700 in premiums each year. Another analysis finds about 10% of all property-casualty insurance claims are fraudulent, amounting to over $120 billion in losses annually. These staggering costs show why the OCI and law enforcement devote significant effort to fighting fraud.
Georgia OCI initiatives stress that consumers and industry professionals alike must be vigilant against fraud. The OCI’s educational outreach (including the FYI Express content) encourages Georgians to “Become an Insurance Fraud Superhero”, meaning they should stay alert for suspicious activities and report them. Fraud can take many forms – from staged auto accidents to inflated property claims – but all of these dishonest schemes eventually drive up insurance costs for everyone. By increasing awareness that every policyholder is effectively a victim of insurance fraud through higher rates, OCI hopes to deter would-be scammers and enlist the public’s help in identifying fraud. The OCI works closely with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and other agencies to investigate fraudulent schemes. If policyholders suspect an insurance fraud incident, they are advised to report it to the authorities, the OCI, or NICB’s fraud hotline (1-800-TEL-NICB) for further investigation. Through enforcement and education, the Georgia OCI aims to reduce fraud – truly treating it as “the crime you pay for.”
Auto Insurance Fraud and Staged Accidents
One of the most common types of insurance fraud that affects consumers is automobile insurance fraud, particularly staged car accidents. Criminals orchestrate crashes with the intent to file false injury or damage claims, often targeting innocent drivers. These staged accident schemes are “big business”, especially in high-traffic urban areas. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has identified many common setups used by fraudsters, such as the “swoop and squat” (where one car abruptly cuts off another, causing a rear-end collision), intentional side-swipes in dual-turn lanes, panic stops (slamming brakes to induce a rear collision), and fake drive-down wave-ins. Such scams are not rare occurrences – the Insurance Research Council estimates that about 24% of bodily injury claims from auto accidents are fraudulent, illustrating how frequently staged crashes and related deceptions lead to illegitimate injury claims.
To protect themselves on the road, drivers should follow a number of precautions to avoid becoming victims of staged accidents and auto insurance fraud:

• Drive defensively and keep a safe distance: Maintain adequate space between your car and others. Avoid tailgating, so scammers can’t easily force you into a collision5. If traffic slows suddenly, start braking early (before the car ahead of you) to give yourself more reaction time.
• Use caution in multi-car turn lanes: Be careful to stay in your lane when making turns alongside other vehicles. Fraudsters have been known to intentionally side-swipe cars that drift over lane lines during turns, then claim to be the innocent party. Staying alert and in-lane can thwart this scheme.
• Document everything if an accident occurs: If you are involved in a crash (even a minor fender-bender), collect detailed information at the scene. Write down the license plate numbers of all vehicles involved and get the names, contact info, and insurance details of every driver. Also count the number of passengers in the other car(s) and note each passenger’s name and contact, if possible. This prevents fraudsters from later adding fake “injured” passengers to inflate claims.
• Always call the police and obtain an official report: Do not let another driver talk you out of involving the police, even if the damage seems minor. Insist on getting a police report. A formal accident report creates an objective record of the incident, which can deter exaggerated or false claims later. Many staged-accident scammers will try to avoid police at the scene, so having law enforcement respond is crucial.
• Take photographs of the scene: Use a camera or your phone to photograph vehicle damage, the positions of the cars, and the people involved immediately after the accident. Visual evidence of the actual damage and who was present can shut down false claims. Be sure to capture images of all drivers and passengers (if it can be done safely) and any other details like road conditions. This documentation makes it harder for criminals to later claim injuries or damage that didn’t occur.
• Observe any bystanders or late arrivals: Note if any individuals show up at the scene unsolicited, offering help or acting overly involved. Sometimes accomplices (like fake “witnesses” or shady tow truck drivers or lawyers) will appear and are part of the scam. Make note of their names or appearances and include this in your report to police, as it may help expose organized fraud rings.

By following these steps, drivers can significantly reduce their risk of being caught up in a staged accident scam. Georgia OCI and NICB also advise that if you suspect the accident was a setup, report your suspicions. Let the police officers know on scene, and later you can contact the OCI or NICB with details. Quick reporting can initiate an investigation and potentially foil the fraud. Remember that staged accidents and related fraud cost all drivers – they lead to higher auto insurance premiums across the board. Vigilant driving and thorough documentation are your best defenses against becoming another victim of auto insurance fraud.
Homeowners Insurance Fraud Prevention
Fraudulent claims are less commonly perpetrated against homeowners by strangers (since it’s harder to involve an unrelated innocent party in a home insurance scam), but homeowners still need to protect themselves from liability fraud and opportunistic claims. While you may not encounter a “staged” home accident in the same way as an auto accident, there are ways unscrupulous individuals might try to take advantage of a situation in your home to file false claims. The Georgia OCI provides tips for homeowners to deter fraud and reduce the likelihood of false liability or property claims:

• Maintain your property and fix hazards: Keeping your home well-maintained is not only good practice but also a defense against fraud. Promptly repair or remove potential dangers (like loose steps, broken handrails, or tripping hazards on walkways) that could injure visitors. Many legitimate injury claims (and some fraudulent ones) arise from preventable accidents in the home. By maintaining a safe environment, you protect yourself and deprive would-be scammers of opportunities (for example, someone intentionally tripping over clutter to fake an injury).
• Document any injuries or incidents on your premises: If someone is injured on your property, always take it seriously and record all details of what happened. Obtain the injured person’s information (name, contact, circumstances of the injury) and if possible, also gather statements from any witnesses. Ensure the person gets appropriate medical attention if needed – not only is this the right thing to do, but it also differentiates genuine accidents from those who refuse treatment (a red flag). Write down your own observations about the incident and the nature of the injury. Having a detailed incident report will help if a claim is filed. It can also discourage someone from exaggerating an injury later, since you have an account of the immediate aftermath.
• Be skeptical of unusual requests or situations: Fraudsters sometimes use more indirect schemes to collect insurance money. One example described is if a friend or acquaintance asks to store valuable property at your home, and then that friend later claims those items were stolen or destroyed (implying it happened at your place). This could be an attempt to involve you unwittingly in an insurance scam (the friend might file a false theft claim on their insurance). Treat unusual favors or requests involving your property with caution. Likewise, if any incident at your home strikes you as suspicious or if someone’s story about losses/damages doesn’t add up, trust your instincts. Report suspicious actions to the authorities or to your insurance company so they can investigate for possible fraud.

In general, think of insurance fraud as money out of your pocket and act accordingly to prevent it. By staying proactive – maintaining a safe home, carefully documenting incidents, and reporting any suspicious behavior – homeowners can protect themselves from fraudulent insurance claims. The OCI encourages anyone who suspects they may be a target or witness of insurance fraud to report it. You can contact the OCI’s Consumer Services or the NICB to share tips confidentially. These efforts help combat fraud statewide and ultimately keep insurance premiums more affordable for everyone.
Fire Safety and Arson Prevention in Georgia
Because the Georgia Insurance Commissioner also serves as the State Safety Fire Commissioner, the OCI plays a key role in fire prevention education and arson investigation. The FYI Express page points out resources and initiatives related to fire safety, such as “Fire Safety in the Kitchen,” and guidance for how to report arson in Georgia. Fire damage not only results in insurance claims but often tragedy, so the OCI emphasizes prevention and swift justice for intentional fires. Here we summarize the page’s highlights on kitchen fire safety and arson reporting:
Kitchen Fire Safety Education
Cooking fires are a top focus of fire safety outreach, as they are the leading cause of home fires and injuries. National fire data shows that cooking is the number one cause of home structure fires – nearly half of all home fires start in the kitchen, usually from unattended cooking. The Georgia OCI is actively promoting kitchen fire safety awareness to reduce these incidents. In fact, “Fire Safety in the Kitchen” was the theme of a recent safety campaign and student contest. In 2020, Commissioner John King announced winners of a statewide Fire Prevention Week essay contest titled “Serving Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen,” designed to get young people engaged in cooking safety practices. Through such programs, the OCI spreads information about how to prevent kitchen fires – for example, never leaving cooking food unattended on the stove, keeping flammable items away from heat, and having an extinguisher handy. The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking, so the OCI and fire safety officials continually remind the public to stay alert and present when using the stove or oven. Simple precautions like staying in the kitchen while frying or boiling food, using timers, and keeping kids and pets away from cooking areas can dramatically reduce the risk of a fire. By spotlighting “Fire Safety in the Kitchen,” Georgia OCI aims to lower the frequency of home fires and prevent avoidable tragedies and insurance losses.
Arson Reporting and Investigation
Arson – the intentional setting of fires – is a serious crime that the OCI’s Safety Fire division works hard to combat. The Georgia OCI page encourages the public to help “Report Arson in Georgia.” If you suspect that a fire was deliberately set, you are urged to contact authorities immediately. Georgia has a dedicated arson tip hotline operated by the Georgia Arson Control program. Citizens can report suspected arson by calling 1-800-282-5804. This 24/7 hotline, supported by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Georgia Arson Control (GAC), allows people to provide information confidentially about potential arson cases. Importantly, Georgia Arson Control offers rewards (up to $10,000) for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of arsonists. This reward incentive has been effective in encouraging witnesses to come forward since the program’s inception in 1979.
The OCI’s State Fire Investigations Unit (part of the State Fire Marshal’s Office) works around the clock to investigate fire scenes and determine if fires are accidental or intentionally set. They employ specially trained fire investigators and K-9 teams to detect accelerants and collect evidence across all regions of Georgia. When a blaze is confirmed as arson, OCI investigators collaborate with local and state law enforcement to track down those responsible and pursue criminal prosecution. High-profile arson cases are regularly announced via OCI press releases (for example, arrests in connection with suspicious fires) to raise public awareness. By reporting arson and providing tips, the public plays a crucial role in this fight. The OCI’s message is that every Georgian can help prevent arson – if you see something, say something. All information provided through the hotline is kept confidential, and it could be instrumental in solving a case. This partnership between the community and the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office helps reduce arson-related losses and makes Georgia safer.
Consumer Resources and Insurance Education
Beyond enforcement and safety, the Georgia OCI provides valuable resources and educational tools for both consumers and insurance professionals. The FYI Express page highlights a few of these offerings, which include services to help the public with insurance questions (like finding lost policies) and materials to keep the insurance industry informed and compliant (such as bulletins, directives, and training quizzes).
Life Insurance Policy Locator – Finding Lost Policies
The Life Insurance Locator referenced on the OCI page is a consumer-focused tool that helps Georgians search for lost or forgotten life insurance policies of deceased loved ones. This service is part of a nationwide initiative by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to connect beneficiaries with unclaimed life insurance benefits. Many families are unaware that a life insurance policy existed or don’t know which company issued it, especially when a relative passes away. The NAIC’s Life Insurance Policy Locator (LIPL) streamlines the process of finding these policies by letting consumers submit a request that participating insurers will check against their records.
In Georgia, the Life Insurance Policy Locator has already proven its worth. In its first year of operation, the free locator service matched 589 Georgia beneficiaries with life insurance policies or annuities, returning about $6.6 million in unclaimed benefits to those individuals. Thousands of Georgians have since used the tool to search for policies, with many successful matches each year. “The response from this application has been tremendous,” noted a former Georgia Insurance Commissioner, who encouraged everyone to try it if they believe they might be owed life insurance proceeds. Nationally, the locator service has connected thousands of beneficiaries with over $92 million in found benefits in recent years. This resource addresses a significant issue: according to Consumer Reports, an estimated $1 billion in life insurance benefits are left unclaimed in the U.S. because people cannot find late family members’ policies. By using the Life Insurance Locator, Georgians can ensure that no policy benefits intended for them go untapped. The OCI promotes this tool as part of its consumer assistance mission – it’s an example of how the Commission can directly help residents receive the insurance payouts they are entitled to.
Insurance Bulletins, Directives, and Industry Updates
To keep the insurance industry and the public informed, the OCI regularly issues Insurance News, Bulletins, and Directives on important topics. These are official communications that might announce regulatory changes, clarify insurance laws, or provide guidance during emergencies. For instance, the Insurance Commissioner publishes Bulletins addressing general policy issues or interpretations of insurance law for all insurers and agents in the state. Directives are often used in urgent situations to require or prohibit certain actions by insurers. A real example referenced in external bulletins: In late 2024, after Hurricane Helene impacted Georgia, the OCI issued Directive 24-EX-6 instructing all insurance companies not to cancel or non-renew policies for non-payment in dozens of affected counties until the crisis passed. This directive ensured that residents in storm-hit areas wouldn’t lose coverage due to missed payments in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Similarly, OCI bulletins have addressed topics like COVID-19 emergency measures, new insurance legislation (e.g. tort reform changes), and updates to licensing procedures.
All recent OCI Bulletins and Directives are available on the OCI website for insurers, agents, and consumers to review. They serve as a vital channel for the Commissioner to communicate expectations to the insurance market and protect policyholders during special circumstances. By following these updates, insurance professionals in Georgia stay compliant with state rules, and consumers stay informed about their rights and any temporary protections in place. The FYI Express page’s mention of “Insurance News, Bulletins, Directives” highlights that those using the site (likely insurance agents or informed consumers) should be aware of these communications as part of keeping current with Georgia insurance regulations.
Continuing Education and Quizzes for Agents
The FYI Express Georgia OCI page is not only informational but also part of an educational series for insurance agents. Throughout the page, there are interactive elements like quizzes and references to continuing education modules. For example, the page includes an “Insurance Regulation Quiz” (10 questions) and a “Georgia OCI Quiz” with 10 multiple-choice questions, allowing readers to test their knowledge of Georgia insurance rules and the OCI’s functions. These quizzes reinforce the material in an engaging way, reflecting FYI Express’s motto of providing “Edu-tainment” – education that’s entertaining. The content about insurance fraud, fire safety, and regulations is likely part of a structured course for agents to earn continuing education credit.
In fact, at the bottom of the page there is a note to Georgia agents about fulfilling their required education hours. It advertises that agents can obtain 24 hours of Continuing Education (CE) for $24 through the FYI Express platform, or alternatively, by joining the Georgia Insurance Alliance (GIAA) for $99 per year, they can access all CE courses free for their agency staff. This indicates the page is part of a CE program. After reading the lessons (possibly including this “Georgia OCI” lesson as Lesson #1), agents are prompted to take a final exam to earn credit. The mention of “Lesson #2: Modern Family” on the page suggests the next module in the course covers modern insurance topics for families.
Through these education offerings, the OCI (in partnership with platforms like FYI Express) helps ensure insurance agents stay informed and up-to-date. Well-educated agents benefit consumers by being knowledgeable about laws, ethical practices, and current issues like fraud trends. The use of quizzes and real-world scenarios (such as those about fraud schemes and safety practices) makes the learning experience practical. Overall, the page functions as both a public informational resource and a training tool for professionals. By summarizing OCI’s key responsibilities and initiatives in an accessible format, it helps agents better serve the public and comply with state regulations. And for everyday readers, it provides insight into how the Insurance Commissioner’s office is working to safeguard Georgia’s insurance consumers – through enforcement actions, fraud prevention, fire safety advocacy, and consumer assistance programs.
Source: https://www.fyiexpress.com/georgia-oci.html
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OCI CRACKING DOWN ON UNLICENSED AGENTS

Property & Casualty Basics Quiz

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Insurance Fraud, Fire Safety, Arson, Insurance News, Bulletins, Directives

Insurance Regulation Quiz (10 questions)

Georgia OCI Quiz (10 Multiple Choice Questions)

​Fighting Auto Insurance Fraud

• Persons attempting to commit insurance fraud often do so by deceiving innocent drivers during actual accidents or by involving innocent drivers in "staged" accidents. Do the following to minimize this risk:
• Drive defensively, keeping space between you and surrounding cars.
• When traffic slows, begin braking before the car in front of you does.
• Be careful when turning into a lane that allows two or more autos to turn left at the same time. Victims of insurance fraud are often people who float across the line when turning and then are intentionally sideswiped by a person who is "staging" an accident.
• If you are in an accident, write down license numbers of all cars involved in the accident, get the names and contact information of all persons involved and their insurers. Count the number of passengers in the other cars and get their names, addresses and any other pertinent information.
• Call the police and get a police report even if the damage is minimal. DO NOT let another driver talk you out of calling the police.
• Carry a disposable camera in your glove compartment or make use of a cell phones camera feature and take pictures of the damage to the vehicles and of all drivers and passengers in the cars.

Fighting Homeowners Insurance Fraud

• It is far more difficult to involve an innocent party in homeowner fraud. However, a homeowner can help himself and help deter fraudulent claims by properly maintaining their home, and by removing or repairing items that could create tripping hazards to outside parties. Also, if someone is injured in your home, be certain that you get full information and be sure that an injured person gets any needed treatment. Carefully document any incident, including all impressions about likely injury. It may also be prudent to show healthy skepticism over any information on medical bills or claims.
• Report suspicious actions such as a friend who asks you to store valuable property and you then find that they reported to his insurer that the property was stolen.
• Become an Insurance Fraud Superhero. Think of insurance fraud as money out of your pocket because it is. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, fraud adds 25% to property and casualty insurance rates.
• If you are involved in an accident and you are suspicious that fraud may be involved, report it to the authorities and our agency.

Georgia OCI

Georgia OCI