Today, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced that it is accepting applications for its 2026 Consumer Participation Program. Interested applicants can apply by Oct. 31, 2025.

The NAIC selects a group of consumer representatives annually from a list of qualified applicants. Duties include amplifying the voice of insurance consumers and participating in NAIC meetings as individuals or as consumer representatives of consumer organizations. (The NAIC defines a consumer organization as a national, state, or local organization that serves to protect the interests of consumers as they relate to the regulation of insurance.)

“State insurance regulators work hard every day to protect consumers. As the Consumer Participation Program heads into its 34th year, NAIC consumer representatives continue to strengthen those efforts by further ensuring consumers’ needs and perspectives are heard,” said NAIC President and North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread.

There are two ways to apply to the Consumer Participation Program:

• Funded Consumer Representative: The NAIC will provide funding in the form of travel-expense reimbursement. To qualify, an individual candidate shall have a commitment to representing consumer interests in insurance regulation, be willing to fully participate in NAIC national meetings and related conference calls, have demonstrated expertise and experience in insurance-related issues addressed by the NAIC, and require NAIC funding in order to fully participate in NAIC national meetings and conference calls. An individual candidate must not have obligations or commitments to an industry that conflict with his/her responsibilities to represent consumer interests.
• Unfunded Consumer Representative: Individuals who do not need funding may apply to participate as unfunded consumer representatives.

All applicants must complete the new automated application and attach all requested documents. Applicants will be selected in December and notified prior to the 2026 NAIC Spring National Meeting.

“As chair of the NAIC’s Consumer Liaison Committee, I enjoy the opportunity to work closely with the NAIC’s consumer representatives. The NAIC Consumer Participation Program is a unique chance to make a difference on a national scale on the most pressing issues on consumers’ minds, and the Committee looks forward to welcoming those serving in this key capacity in 2026,” said Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold.

The NAIC website provides additional information about the NAIC’s Consumer Participation Program and describes the application process to be appointed as either a funded or unfunded consumer representative.