Joseph G. Murphy
Commissioner,
Division of Insurance February 2010 to Present
Joseph G. Murphy was appointed Commissioner of the Division of Insurance on February 8, 2010.
Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Murphy served as Acting Commissioner since September 2009. From 2006 to 2009, Murphy served as First Deputy Commissioner with oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Division of Insurance and its 130 employees and $13 million budget.
Commissioner Murphy has played an active role in the implementation of the auto insurance reform, stabilizing health insurance costs for individuals and small businesses across the Commonwealth, and ensuring the solvency of Massachusetts domiciled insurers.
Since taking office, Murphy has been a leader in the Commonwealth’s efforts to contain the cost of health insurance in Massachusetts while maintaining access to quality care. Under his leadership, for the first time in history, the Division of Insurance exercised its statutory authority to scrutinize proposed health insurance rates resulting in savings of over $100 million for Massachusetts businesses and working families. Murphy was a leader in Governor Patrick’s efforts to reform the Massachusetts automobile insurance marketplace in 2008. Managed competition in auto insurance has attracted 13 new companies into the state - including some of the largest carriers in the country - and has saved good drivers across the Commonwealth over $500 million on the cost of their auto insurance as well as introducing innovative products for Massachusetts consumers.
Murphy is active in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), leading and serving on a number of committees, including the Executive Committee, Government Relations Leadership Council, Property and Casualty Committee as well as the Reinsurance and Solvency Modernization Task Force, In February of 2012, Murphy was elected Chair of the NAIC’s Northeast Zone. He also serves as Chair of the Finance Committee and Vice-Chair of the Communications Committee of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission.
A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Murphy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science.