First State to Establish a Formal Insurance Regulatory Authority
CONCORD, NH (January 13, 2026) – In 2026, the New Hampshire Insurance Department marks its 175th anniversary, commemorating a legacy that began in 1851 when New Hampshire became the first state in the nation to establish a formal insurance regulatory authority. Over nearly two centuries, the Department has played a foundational role in shaping insurance regulation in the United States, protecting consumers, fostering competitive markets, and serving as a model for regulatory professionalism and innovation nationwide.
“The history of the New Hampshire Insurance Department is the history of American insurance regulation itself,” said Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt. “For 175 years, this Department has balanced consumer protection with market stability, independence with accountability, and innovation with discipline. That tradition continues today.”
Established in 1851, the New Hampshire Insurance Department became the blueprint for modern state-based insurance regulation across the country. New Hampshire commissioners and staff have long held leadership roles within the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, influencing solvency standards, consumer protections, and market-conduct reforms nationwide. The State consistently ranks among the most competitive insurance markets in the country, with low premiums, broad carrier participation, and high coverage rates, while the Department has returned millions of dollars to consumers through enforcement actions, examinations, and complaint resolutions.
Throughout its history, the Department has also served as a reliable contributor to the State’s General Fund while maintaining rigorous oversight of a multi-billion-dollar insurance marketplace. In recent years, the Department has led on emerging issues such as mental health parity enforcement, balance billing consumer protections, the first public-private Paid Family and Medical Leave insurance program, data transparency, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in insurance underwriting.
As part of the anniversary celebration, the New Hampshire Insurance Department will formally dedicate two conference rooms at its Concord headquarters in honor of two commissioners whose leadership left a lasting mark on the Department and the nation. The Paula Rogers Conference Room will honor Paula Rogers, the Department’s first woman commissioner, whose tenure broke barriers and strengthened New Hampshire’s consumer-focused regulatory tradition. The Roger Sevigny Conference Room will honor Roger Sevigny, the longest-serving commissioner in Department history and a former President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, recognized nationally for his steady leadership, expertise, and commitment to state-based regulation.
“These dedications reflect the values of professionalism, independence, and public service that Commissioner Rogers and Commissioner Sevigny embodied, and that continue to define this Department,” said Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt.
Throughout 2026, the New Hampshire Insurance Department will host a series of events and initiatives to commemorate its 175th anniversary, including a formal anniversary ceremony at the Department, educational forums and public events highlighting the role of insurance in New Hampshire’s economy, and staff recognition and historical retrospectives honoring the public servants who built and sustained the Department. Additional details will be announced throughout the year.
“These milestones remind us that strong, independent insurance regulation is essential to protecting consumers and maintaining healthy, competitive markets,” said Deputy Insurance Commissioner Keith Nyhan. “The NHID is proud of its history and committed to carrying that mission forward for Granite Staters for generations to come.”
