Insurance agents - both independent and company agents - are where the "rubber meets the road" in the provision of insurance to Georgia's families and businesses. As House Insurance Chairman, Tom Knox has strongly supported the agent system and he will continue his steadfast commitment to free market competition that allows agents to do what they do best - help customers find the best, most competitive product to fit their needs.
Insurance companies are President Obama's favorite villain. To be sure, insurance companies have earned some of the complaints lodged against them. However, Tom has the courage to recognize that the only way to provide timely, effective health insurance coverage that Americans and Georgians want is through a vigorous private sector health insurance industry that is allowed to truly compete for business.
Tom does not believe we solve anything by nationalizing health insurance delivery via the deceptively labeled "public option," and Tom will use every legal means available within our federalist system of government to stop nationalized health care in Georgia, while working to make sure health insurance companies can compete freely to provide insurance for those who need and want it.
The Insurance Commissioner also serves as the small loan oversight officer for the State of Georgia. In this capacity, the commissioner is responsible for making sure customers are not abused by unscrupulous lenders - while also insuring the government does not overregulate the small loan market. Tom has steadfastly supported free market competition at all levels of the lending industry, even when it was not politically correct. Tom knows Georgians who need small loans will not be able to get them unless we maintain a vital small loan market that can legally, responsibly make loans to Georgians - with firm oversight from the commissioner's office.
One of the least known but most important parts of the Insurance Commissioner's job is serving as Fire Safety Commissioner for Georgia. In this capacity, the Insurance Commissioner can save homeowners thousands of dollars - or can cost them just as much. As Fire Safety Commissioner, Tom will work hand-in-hand with our firemen and fire inspectors to improve the fire safety ratings that are used by insurance companies to set home insurance rates. This will lower costs for homeowners and make homes less likely to become fire hazards.