Insurance commissioners confirmed in N.Y., Conn.

NEW YORK--The New York Senate has confirmed Eric R. Dinallo as the 39th superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department.

Mr. Dinallo, 43, who has been acting superintendent since January, was approved by a voice vote of the Senate on Wednesday, according to an insurance department spokesman.

In a statement, Mr. Dinallo pledged the Insurance Department will strive to regulate in "innovative and efficient ways" so consumers and businesses "are fully informed, have access to the insurance products they need at reasonable prices and are treated fairly in the claims process."

In addition, "The department will work equally hard to ensure that there is a favorable climate in New York for the insurance industry to prosper and grow, including a level playing field," he said.

Mr. Dinallo joined the department from Willis Group Holdings, where he had worked as general counsel since 2006. Earlier in his career, Mr. Dinallo held supervisory posts in the office of then-Attorney General Eliot Spitzer that included leading investigations into alleged wrongdoing by the financial services and mutual fund industries.

Mr. Spitzer, who was elected New York governor last fall, appointed Mr. Dinallo as superintendent subject to legislative confirmation. Mr. Dinallo succeeds Howard Mills, who now is chief adviser for the global insurance practice of consulting firm Deloitte & Touche L.L.P.

Separately, the Connecticut House of Representatives Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Thomas R. Sullivan as the state's new insurance commissioner. No Senate vote is needed.

Mr. Sullivan most recently served as senior vp of Specialty Risk Services L.L.C., third-party administrator of property/casualty claims that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

Mr. Sullivan succeeds Susan Cogswell, who accepted the post of deputy insurance commissioner. She plans to focus on health care issues, including access and affordability.