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Ballotpedia, Jon Godfread

NORTH DAKOTA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT, Commissioner Jon Godfread

Jon is a lifelong resident of North Dakota. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Northern Iowa and a joint master's of business administration and law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law. He is married to his wife, Amanda, with whom he has 3 kids. He serves on the board of directors of the North Dakota Special Olympics, where he previously served as a volunteer. 

Jon is a former vice president of government affairs for the Greater North Dakota Chamber. He previously worked as a branch manager and personal banker at Alerus Financial. He also briefly played professional basketball in Germany. 

Jon Godfread currently serves as the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his 3rd term. He serves as chairperson of the Innovation and Technology Task Force and the Artificial Intelligence Working Group for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). He is serves as the president-elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). 

Prioritized consumer advocacy, ensuring North Dakotans are better aware of the services offered by the North Dakota Insurance Department beyond industry regulation.

As state insurance commissioner, focused on consumer advocacy and ensuring state residents are more aware of the services offered by the State Insurance Department beyond industry regulation.

Restructured the Insurance Department for efficient and effective use of tax-payer dollars, along with better utilization of staff talents.

As state insurance commissioner, worked to restructure the Insurance Department to promote efficient and effective use of tax-payer dollars and better utilize staff talents.

- As state insurance commissioner, focused on consumer advocacy and ensuring state residents are more aware of the services offered by the State Insurance Department beyond industry regulation.
- As state insurance commissioner, worked to restructure the Insurance Department to promote efficient and effective use of tax-payer dollars and better utilize staff talents.

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As insurance commissioner, Godfread improved consumer assistance services, implemented regulatory reforms to foster insurance market competition, and enhanced accountability measures for insurance companies.

As state insurance commissioner, made efforts to improve consumer assistance services, implement regulatory reforms to develop a competitive insurance market, and enhance accountability measures for insurance companies.

Supports addressing "surprise air ambulance bills."

As state insurance commissioner, prompted the  US Senate to address issues of "surprise air ambulance bills."

Believes the most important job is to "ensure the consumers of North Dakota are properly protected with and educated about the insurance they purchase."

Believes the "most vital job I can fulfill in this role is to ensure the consumers of North Dakota are properly protected with and educated about the insurance they purchase."

Supports consumer protection through advocacy, cyber security, and technology in the insurance sector.

- As state insurance commissioner, made efforts to improve consumer assistance services, implement regulatory reforms to develop a competitive insurance market, and enhance accountability measures for insurance companies.
- As state insurance commissioner, prompted the  US Senate to address issues of "surprise air ambulance bills."
- Believes the "most vital job I can fulfill in this role is to ensure the consumers of North Dakota are properly protected with and educated about the insurance they purchase."
- Supports health care reform.

Consumer Protection

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Jon Godfread

Jon earned a law degree and master's in business administration from the University of North Dakota. He also studied abroad in Austria. He graduated with honors from the University of Northern Iowa.

Jon Godfread is the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, a position he has held since being elected in 2016. Prior to this role, he served as vice president of government affairs for the Greater North Dakota Chamber from 2011 to 2015.

Jon Godfread currently serves as the North Dakota Insurance Commissioner. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his 3rd term.

Believes in ensuring insurance companies are financially stable and able to pay claims without making insurance unaffordable for consumers.

Supports including weight loss drugs in the Affordable Care Act.

Supports improving disclosure of charges and fees for air medical services, informing consumers about insurance options, and protecting consumers from balance billing.

Believes insurance fraud is a significant issue that impacts all North Dakota consumers negatively, regardless of the fraud's size.

Believes insurance is complicated and encourages people to talk to their agents about coverage for snow and flooding.

Supports programs to reduce health insurance costs, noting federal approval of a North Dakota initiative that lowers premiums for 21,000 residents.

Believes that "no person or state can ignore the laws in another state" even if doing so is "inconvenient or burdensome."

Believes in upholding North Dakota's consumer protection laws.

Supports the North Dakota Firefighter's Association and the North Dakota Fire Chief’s Association.

Believes in being "The fair, consistent, and accessible Insurance Commissioner."

- The insurance commissioner is the head of the North Dakota Insurance Department.
- The insurance commissioner licenses insurance professionals in the state, educates consumers about different types of insurance, and handles consumer complaints. The commissioner also supervises state bonds.
- The insurance commissioner serves 4-year terms, with no term limits. 
- They are paid an annual salary of $112,241.