Rell appoints new Insurance Commissioner
Governor Rell went inside the insurance industry in her proclaimed “national” search to find a replacement for Susan Cogswell, who Rell asked to resign after winning reelection last year.
Rell chose Thomas R. Sullivan of Southington, a senior vice president of The Hartford’s subsidiary Specialty Risk Services LLC, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the property-casualty insurance business.
Sullivan, 45, expects to start as insurance commissioner April 20, and his nomination is subject to legislative confirmation.
While it isn’t rare to look inside the insurance industry for this position, some folks seem worried about the protections of consumers.
“We believe this appointment is in the long tradition of appointing industry people to regulate themselves, and we’re disappointed,” said Phil Sherwood, legislative director for the Connecticut Citizen Action Group.
“It’s just a further testament to why we need to have an elected commissioner of insurance or create an independent consumer counsel to ensure consumers’ interests are represented.”
Beverly Brakeman, director of the labor-community coalition Citizens for Economic Opportunity, said it’s good for a commissioner to have experience, but “without a proven commitment to consumers, there’s a real gap there.”
In my opinion It should a priority of every politician the citizens to have the correct insurance.