About the Commissioner
Kevin M. McCarty
Commissioner of the
Office of Insurance Regulation
Commissioner
Kevin McCarty
Five years into his tenure as Florida's first appointed insurance commissioner, Kevin
McCarty has cemented his reputation as an innovator, utilizing technology to improve the
regulatory process, as a fierce defender of seniors and historically discriminated minorities,
and as a national leader who is forging a coalition to implement a national catastrophe strategy.
McCarty began his career in public service in 1988 becoming an expert in workers compensation
issues with the Department of Labor & Employment Security. He used his experience to segue into
a position with the Florida Department of Insurance in 1991. In 1992, McCarty became a point-man
to implement strategies to improve the private marketplace following the devastation of Hurricane
Andrew.
It was McCarty's diverse experience, and successful implementation of key programs that prompted
Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet to appoint McCarty as the first appointed insurance commissioner
in January 2003. Gov. Bush described McCarty as "a highly qualified regulatory executive," who would
"provide continuity" to the newly formed Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR).
Throughout his career, McCarty has cited three main principles that have guided his vision of
government's role in society: 1) Government should serve and ultimately be accountable to the
people; 2) Government should be transparent in its operations, and treat its clients fairly and
equitably; and 3) Government should protect those who are unable to protect themselves.
McCarty used these guiding principles to encourage the passage of critical legislation during
the 2006 Legislative session. He cites three bills as the main accomplishments of his Office: 1)
The Freedom to Travel Act that ended discrimination in life insurance policies based on travel to
foreign countries, 2) The Long-Term Care Coverage Act that increases seniors' rights when purchasing
long-term care insurance; and 3)
The Property & Casualty Insurance Bill that provides financial
incentives to encourage mitigation to allow people to protect their homes from hurricanes.
McCarty also has been asked to
testify before the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. as an expert
witness in the insurance field on multiple occasions on behalf of the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and as Florida
Insurance Commissioner. The NAIC has also tapped McCarty to be
Chairman of several high-profile committees including the
Property & Casualty Insurance Committee, the Catastrophe Working Group
Committee, and the Disaster Reporting Committee.
McCarty received his law degree in 1986 and his
undergraduate degree in political science in 1982 both from the
University of Florida.
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