Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation

11/06/2026

This week Department Director Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer gave a presentation to the Westerly Town Council—providing insight into the rising cost of home and property .

The causes are related to more frequent severe weather events, including wind, snow and flooding, higher replacement and repair costs, and increased large liability judgements.

The Department is working to ensure 's insurance market remains competitive, which helps keep prices down, but there are things YOU can do too.

1. Talk to your agent or insurer (understand your policy and ask about discounts)
2. Review coverage regularly
3. Shop around
4. Keep properties free of hazards (trees that can cause damage, roof condition & age, smoke/carbon monoxide alarms & fire extinguishers, and brush close to structures
5. Consider flood insurance, which is typically a separate policy (💡remember, it can flood anywhere it rains)

Thank you to Town Manager Shawn Lacey for inviting us.

📧 Email us to request a speaker: https://dbr.ri.gov/node/2421

11/04/2026

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Prepare now by considering a flood insurance policy. FEMA has launched a new National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) sales tool on FloodSmart.gov, making it easier for Americans to explore and access flood insurance.

For additional insurance resources, visit the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation’s website at https://dbr.ri.gov/insurance/consumers.

10/27/2026

As we prepare to close out October, make every month awareness month!

Follow these tips to stay safe when conducting online.

▪️ Use strong, long, & unique passwords
▪️ Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
▪️ Keep devices and banking apps updated
▪️ Avoid public Wi-Fi for banking
▪️ Monitor accounts regularly
▪️ Log out of every session

10/23/2026

Speaker Spotlight: Beth Dwyer

We are pleased to feature Beth Dwyer, Superintendent of Insurance at the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, on Panel One: AI in Insurance: Risk vs. Reward at Insuring the Future 2026.

Beth was appointed Superintendent of Insurance in 2016 and named Director of Business Regulation in 2023. Before her appointment, she served as General Counsel and Associate Director at the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation for 15 years. She is currently President-Elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and has chaired several key NAIC committees focused on property and casualty insurance, financial condition, and regulatory standards and accreditation. Her extensive experience in insurance regulation and consumer protection brings valuable perspective to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the insurance industry.

Join Superintendent Dwyer at Insuring the Future as she joins industry and regulatory leaders to explore how insurers can balance AI-driven innovation with consumer protection, transparency, cybersecurity, and accountability.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.connecticutifs.com/itf-2026

10/22/2026

This Thanksgiving join us in supportting the local community.

If you're coming to our offices or just happen to be in the area, bring in a non-perishable food item.

We'll be donating all food collected to Operation Stand Down Rhode Island.

10/08/2026

"If we can prevent one fire by holding today’s seminar, then every minute we spend here is worth it."

100+ people turned out for the Office of the State Fire Marshal's lithium-ion battery safety seminar on Wednesday.

Businesses, community members, and first responders from across can now use this valuable information to educate others and mitigate risk 🔥.

📺 WPRI 12 report below ⬇️

The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal gathered first responders and community members in Warwick Wednesday morning for a National Fire Prevention Week seminar on the dangers of lithium-…

10/06/2026

Regulators and Industry representatives from across the country gathered at the 2026 NAIC/NIPR Insurance Summit, including Elizabeth Kelleher Dwyer, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation and President-Elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Beth participated in the NAIC Officers' Insights panel, where she shared her perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of insurance. We're proud to see Rhode Island represented on the national stage through her leadership and service to the industry.

09/30/2026

At the , insights from the past and present inform preparation for the future of insurance regulation and the industry. In a morning session moderated by NAIC CEO Jeff Johnston, NAIC President Scott White, President-Elect Elizabeth Dwyer, Vice President Jon Pike, and Secretary-Treasurer Michael Wise shared about what set them on the path to becoming a chief state insurance regulator and the difference their departments have made for consumers. The panel also explored the forward-looking approaches that are keeping state insurance regulation at the forefront of mitigation, insurer investment oversight, artificial intelligence regulation, and more as the industry and marketplace continue to evolve.

09/25/2026

Please read and share!

🚨 Before the storm hits, be prepared.

✅ Check your insurance policies
✅ Make a home inventory checklist
✅ Document any damage with pictures and videos

📢 A reminder that flood insurance is typically a separate policy from homeowner’s or property insurance.

Resources are available at dbr.ri.gov/insurance/consumers, including a home inventory checklist.

Stay safe, Rhode Island!

09/24/2026

🚨 Before the storm hits, be prepared.

✅ Check your insurance policies
✅ Make a home inventory checklist
✅ Document any damage with pictures and videos

📢 A reminder that flood insurance is typically a separate policy from homeowner’s or property insurance.

Resources are available at dbr.ri.gov/insurance/consumers, including a home inventory checklist.

Stay safe, Rhode Island!