With more than 30 years of industry-related experience in the public and private sector, Caljouw begins his tenure on November 4

Boston - Governor Maura Healey announced October 2, 2024 the appointment of Michael T. Caljouw as Commissioner of the Division of Insurance (DOI), an agency overseen by the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) within the Executive Office of Economic Development. 

“Our administration is committed to ensuring a level playing field for businesses and consumers and making our state more affordable for all our residents,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are excited to have Commissioner Michael Caljouw leading the Division of Insurance, where he will oversee one of the leading insurance markets in the country, work to make insurance coverage more affordable and accessible, and tackle growing challenges in the insurance market.”   

“As DOI Commissioner, Michael Caljouw will ensure equity and integrity in insurance markets and that Massachusetts residents have the unbiased information they need to make decisions about their coverage,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We are thrilled to announce this new leader at DOI, who brings more than 30 years of experience working in the public and private sectors to the agency.”

“Massachusetts is home to a leading insurance sector that contributes billions to the state’s GDP and employs tens of thousands of residents,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The Division of Insurance plays an important role in overseeing and partnering with the industry to promote a stable and fair insurance market for carriers and consumers, and we are excited to have Commissioner Caljouw at the helm of this vital agency.”

Caljouw comes to DOI with 33 years of industry experience in insurance law and policy, most recently serving as Vice President for State and Federal Government and Regulatory Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Previously, he held positions as Senior Counsel at Holland and Knight; Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, and General Counsel for OCABR; General Counsel for DOI; and as Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel for former Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Brian Lees.

During the course of his career in the public and private insurance sectors, Caljouw has led the development of major policy, including Massachusetts’ HMO insolvency and cost containment laws. He was responsible for insurance rate decisions and the review of major insurance mergers and acquisitions across all lines of the insurance business. He led multiple teams across disciplines, mentoring and developing leaders in both policy and insurance markets and working to create a culture of diversity and inclusion.

“Michael’s vast experience in the insurance industry, background on policy and law, and understanding of both the public and private sector are assets as he takes on the role of DOI Commissioner,” said Undersecretary of OCABR Layla R. D’Emilia. “I look forward to DOI’s next chapter under his leadership.”  

“I am excited to return to public service under the Healey-Driscoll Administration, with a mission of ensuring stable, affordable, and transparent insurance markets and safeguarding consumer interests in Massachusetts,” said Michael Caljouw.

Caljouw serves as the chairman of the board of the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy. He is a former board member of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, and Associated Industries of Massachusetts. A Massachusetts native and Boston Latin School graduate, Caljouw earned his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. *** laude from Suffolk University Law School.

DOI is responsible for overseeing and monitoring an approximately $70 billion industry with more than 1,400 licensed insurance companies and approximately 200,000 individual insurance producers licensed to do business in Massachusetts. 

DOI’s primary mission is to monitor the solvency of its licensed insurance carriers in order to promote a healthy, responsive, and willing marketplace for consumers who purchase insurance products. DOI also serves to protect consumers by providing accurate and unbiased information about policy decisions, plan types, and available insurers, so that consumers may make informed decisions about their insurance coverage and intervenes on behalf of consumers victimized by unfair business practices.