An Opinion Editorial by Commissioner Troy Downing Bail bonds are integral to the criminal justice system – they allow those charged with crimes freedom to work on their defense and deal with their personal lives and obligations prior to trial. Bail bond agents are responsible for ensuring a person shows up to court. If the … Read more
An Opinion Editorial by Commissioner Troy Downing In response to John Looney’s May 26 Opinion Editorial regarding House Bill 62: The CSI appreciates all the collaboration and input we received from industry, law enforcement, and stakeholders when drafting House Bill 62. The intent of HB62 was to put reasonable sideboards on fugitive recovery agents − … Read more
An Opinion Editorial by Commissioner Troy Downing As the Montana Insurance Commissioner, I am often asked about high premiums in certain lines of insurance. One example is rising premiums in wildfire risk areas. This makes intuitive sense − if the risk of fire and loss is higher, the premium increases to ensure the insurance … Read more
By Troy Downing When it comes to insuring your home it is important to know there is a significant difference between “Replacement Cost” and “Actual Cash Value” coverage. We’ll get to that shortly. You can’t watch TV without seeing an insurance commercial. Whether it’s Progressive’s Flo, Allstate’s Mayhem, or Jake from State Farm, there is a … Read more
My team and I were on the ground in eastern Montana helping families work with their insurance companies to rebuild immediately following the devastating flooding of 2022. Meeting at the civic center in Red Lodge with hundreds of Montanans, we learned the true extent of the damage and devastation families faced. As we drove down … Read more
An Opinion Editorial by Commissioner Troy Downing My team and I were on the ground in eastern Montana helping families work with their insurance companies to rebuild immediately following the devastating flooding of 2022. Meeting at the civic center in Red Lodge with hundreds of Montanans, we learned the true extent of the damage and … Read more
After two years as your Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, I still smile every morning when I walk into the office. I am proud of the work we do to protect consumers, educate Montanans, and serve the people of this great state. From top to bottom, I am humbled by the work ethic, knowledge, … Read more
In 2019, WWII veteran Forrest Allen passed away, bequeathing 5,677 acres in Golden Valley County to the Shodair Children’s Hospital. Today, as a member of the Board of Land Commissioners, I was proud to vote in favor of purchasing this land for public use. The purchase, known as the Snowy Mountain Acquisition, is a win … Read more
By Commissioner Troy Downing Are social media denizens tricking you into making bad investment decisions where you lose, and they win? Social media influencers aren’t just dancing on TikTok or recording themselves playing video games. The rise of the unlicensed online “expert” sharing tips on investing, trading cryptocurrency, or how to get rich quick is … Read more
By Commissioner Troy Downing There is a lot of confusion about when an investment in a company becomes a “security” and what the legal requirements are once it does. If you and a friend or family member join forces to start a business, and you both invest money into that business, and you both have … Read more