STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT

F. Douglass Sears, Insurance Commissioner, 1967
John H. Coppage, Deputy Commissioner
Ernest J. Meredith, Chief Examiner
Sidney A. Green, Life Actuary
Lewis W. O'Brien, Property and Casualty Actuary
Joseph F. Mannion, Auditor and Examiner
Andrew A. Melgard, Insurance Education Supervisor
James C. Robertson, Assistant State Fire Marshal
John J. Meyers, Chief Fire Investigator

301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore 1 Telephone: 837-9000

The State Insurance Department was first created by Chapter 388,
Acts of 1872, as a part of the office of the Comptroller of the Treas-
ury. The Department became an independent agency by Chapter 106,
Acts of 1878. It is under the direction of the Insurance Commissioner,
who is appointed by the Governor for a term of four years (Code
1967, 1963 Supp., Art. 48A, sec. 15).

The Commissioner sees that all the laws of the State governing
insurance companies or relating to the business of insurance are
faithfully executed.

The Commissioner authorizes and licenses insurance companies,
agents, solicitors, brokers, and brokers' solicitors to do business in the
State. The Department examines all applicants for licenses as agents
and solicitors for fire and casualty lines and for some classes of life
and accident and health insurance as well. It conducts periodic exami-
nations of all companies organized under the laws of Maryland and
from time to time participates in the examination of nonresident
companies doing business in the State. The Commissioner approves
all policies for life, accident and sickness insurance offered for sale
in the State by authorized companies; licenses rating bureaus and
advisory organizations; and approves or disapproves the rates for
most classes of property insurance filed by rating bureaus on behalf
of their members and subscribers.

The Insurance Commissioner also performs the duties of a State
Fire Marshal. He investigates suspicious fires in most counties of the
State and inspects all buildings used by the general public, such as
schools, theaters, hotels, nursing homes, etc., to see that they have
proper exits and other safety features for the prevention of fire (Code
1957, 1963 Supp., Art. 48A, secs. 1-14).

The Insurance Commissioner licenses manufacturers of, dealers in,
and users of explosives. He also issues permits for all displays of
fireworks within the State (Code 1957, 1963 Supp., Art. 48A, secs.
15-32).

The Insurance Commissioner also publishes an annual report (Code
1957, 1963 Supp., Article 48A, Section 23).

Appropriations 1963 1964

General Funds .................................... $400,803 $441,716
Staff: 59.

ADMINISTRATOR OF LOAN LAWS

Carl F. Vohden, Administrator, 1967
John W. Dallam, Deputy Administrator
Henry W. Forster, Chief Supervisor

301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore I Telephone: 837-9000