Joseph G. Murphy was appointed Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick February 8, 2010. He had served as Acting Commissioner since September 2009.

Murphy served as first deputy commissioner since 2006, playing active roles in the implementation of the Patrick-Murray administration’s successful auto insurance reform and the day-to-day operations of the Division, its 130 employees and $12 million budget. He spearheaded an effort to investigate high-percentage increases in small-group health insurance, overseeing a hearing with insurance companies and care providers, and holding special sessions to investigate the prospect of creating group purchasing cooperatives in Massachusetts.

Prior to joining the Division of Insurance, Murphy served as chief of staff and research director of the Joint Committee on Financial Services and the Joint Committee on Insurance in the Massachusetts Legislature. He serves on the NAIC Executive (EX) Committee, Property and Casualty Insurance (C) Committee, Accounting Practices and Procedures (E) Task Force, Solvency Modernization Initiative (E) Task Force and NAIC/State Government Liaison Committee.

A native of Quincy, MA, Murphy earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science. He lives in Boston.