Life insurance companies are regulated by the individual states in which they are licensed or certified to sell insurance. There is not a federal regulating body for insurance such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, which regulates the securities industry. The name of the regulating body varies from state to state, but can usually be found under Department of Insurance, or Insurance Department on your states Official Website. Insurance companies are als rated on performance and financial strength. Two of the best known rating companies are AM Best Companies and Standard & Poor’s.