OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Insurance Department is reviewing newly released internal State Farm documents connected to ongoing litigation in Comanche County District Court as state regulators continue a broader examination of insurance claims practices.
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said the department will assess the publicly available materials for information relevant to its continuing market conduct examination. The regulatory work comes amid a wider investigation into insurance industry practices involving homeowners’ claims after severe wind and hail events in Oklahoma.
The development brings renewed attention to how property insurance claims are adjusted and paid in a state frequently affected by severe storms. Mulready emphasized that regulators will evaluate the evidence without reaching premature conclusions about allegations involved in the ongoing litigation.
OID Reviews Documents Connected to State Farm Claims
Mulready addressed the department’s position following the release of the documents:
“The Oklahoma Insurance Department is aware of the recent developments in Comanche County District Court involving the release of internal documents related to State Farm’s handling of wind and hail claims.
We are currently reviewing the publicly available materials and will consider any information they contain as we continue our market conduct examination of insurance company claims in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has been conducting an independent investigation into insurance industry practices for the past several years, including practices involving the adjustment and payment of homeowners’ claims following severe wind and hail events. That work has been extensive, and we continue to push the independent examiner to complete the report and get it submitted to OID.
The recent release of these documents is significant and warrants our careful attention. However, it is important that we allow the facts to speak for themselves. Our responsibility is not to prejudge the outcome of litigation or adopt the allegations of any party. Our responsibility is to examine the evidence, determine whether insurance laws and regulations have been followed, and take appropriate action when they have not.
Several months ago, the Oklahoma Insurance Department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office that provides a framework for the confidential sharing of information between our offices. We look forward to continuing to work with the Attorney General’s Office and sharing appropriate information as our respective investigations and enforcement responsibilities develop.
Oklahomans have every right to expect that when they purchase an insurance policy and pay their premiums, their claims will be handled fairly, promptly and in accordance with the coverage they purchased.
As Insurance Commissioner, my job is to protect Oklahoma insurance consumers while also respecting the authority and responsibilities of other state agencies and the courts. We will stay in our lane, follow the evidence and use every authority available to the Oklahoma Insurance Department to fulfill our statutory responsibility.
We will continue our review of these newly released materials, complete our ongoing investigation and report our findings to the public when that work is finished.”
Regulatory Examination Remains Ongoing
The commissioner’s statement makes clear that OID’s examination predates the latest developments in Comanche County. According to Mulready, the department has been conducting an independent investigation for several years into insurance industry practices, including the adjustment and payment of homeowners’ claims following severe wind and hail events.
The newly released State Farm documents will become part of that broader regulatory review rather than serving as a standalone determination of whether any laws or regulations were violated.
Mulready also emphasized the distinction between OID’s regulatory responsibilities and the litigation proceeding through the court system. The department said its responsibility is to review evidence, determine whether insurance companies have complied with applicable laws and regulations, and take appropriate action if violations are established.
OID Coordinates With Oklahoma Attorney General
The Oklahoma Insurance Department is also working with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office under a Memorandum of Understanding established several months ago. The agreement provides a framework for confidential information sharing between the two agencies as their respective investigations and enforcement responsibilities develop.
For Oklahoma homeowners, the examination focuses on a fundamental aspect of the insurance relationship: whether claims are handled fairly, promptly and according to the coverage purchased by policyholders.
OID has not announced final findings from its examination, and Mulready cautioned against prejudging the litigation or accepting allegations from any party as established facts. The department plans to continue reviewing the newly released materials, complete its broader investigation and report its findings publicly once that process is finished.
