The Alabama Department of Insurance, or ALDOI, is responsible for a wide variety of tasks throughout the great state of Alabama. The mission statement found on the department’s website reads, “Our mission is to serve the people of Alabama by regulating the insurance industry, providing consumer protection, promoting market stability, and enforcing fire safety standards and laws.” Taking governmental responsibility for many aspects of Alabama’s entire insurance industry, as of the writing of this article in February 2008 the Alabama Department of Insurance is currently led by Commissioner Walter Bell.

Alabama’s Department of Insurance offers online services via its website, ranging from fireworks permit applications to complaint filing on insurance companies. The ALDOI offers Alabama insurance agents the ability to renew and print their insurance licenses with the click of a button, in addition to offering a form that allows you to report suspected arson.

The state’s DOI also hosts a plethora of information on the state’s insurance companies, with full search functions as well as detailed statistics on market share reports. Taxes, fees & admission requirements are also posted on the site, in addition to downloadable forms you may need to process. The company section of the website even details insurance companies that are financially wounded within the processes of liquidation or rehabilitation.

The Alabama Department of Insurance is always concerned with the interests of their state residents. In 2003, the ALDOI urged homeowners to review their insurance policies in regards to hurricane coverage in light of the approaching hurricane season. Alabama’s Department of Insurance reminded citizens to pay attention to their hurricane deductibles, which on a $200,000 home, could mean a rate of as much as 1-5%. More recently, ALDOI sent a disaster response team to Prattville, Alabama, the location for a recent tornado. The response team, in conjunction with consumer specialists, answered insurance questions and provided overnight security for some of the town’s residents.

In addition to their work in the community, the Alabama Department of Insurance also offers many consumer resources on its website. Consumer alerts include “General Tips When Shopping for Insurance” and “6 Tips for Getting Smart About Your Insurance Coverage.” Consumer brochures, insurance rate bulletins, frequently asked questions, and mediation info can also be found within this section.

ALDOI’s website also hosts information concerning fire marshals and their permits, as well as a legal selection that highlights numerous insurance laws and regulations. A large section on licensing is also present, with data that includes pre-licensing information, their applications & the renewal fees.

As a governmental agency in Alabama, the Alabama Department of Insurance really does do a great job of catering to the state’s insurance industry, while also offering the public a wealth of information and help should they need it. ALDOI is a good standard for not only the quality and quantity of content found on their website, but the Alabama Department of Insurance’s purpose and mission as an agency in the first place.