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In November, California voters will elect the state’s next insurance commissioner. The race comes as California grapples with an ongoing crisis in the insurance market, rising fire danger exacerbated by climate change and the effects of wildfires in the Los Angeles area in 2025.
Levi Sumagasai of CalMatters talked to the five candidates who raised the most money to learn what they would do if elected to lead the California Department of Insurance.
Ben Allen, Democrat: The state senator from El Segundo, who represents an area affected by the wildfires in Southern California, wants to create a consumer advocate position at the insurance department. He also wants to create funding sources, such as government loans, to make homes more fire-resistant.
Stephen Bradford, Democrat: To keep private insurers in the state, the former Southern California Edison lawmaker and executive would establish a partnership between the state and private risk-sharing companies. Bradford would also seek input from insurance companies when discussing land use and planning.
Merritt Farron, Republican: After his home was destroyed in a wildfire last year, the former Amazon and Disney executive stepped in — a member of the public who can challenge insurer reviews. Farren wants to create CAL Reinsure so the state can provide a safety net for insurers and overhaul regulations he sees as discouraging new insurance products from the market.
Jane Kim, Democrat: The head of the California Working Families Party wants to create “disaster insurance for everyone” and create a public auto insurance option. Kim also believes the state should centralize all insurance powers under the Department of Insurance, including managed health care.
Patrick Wolf, Democrat: A financial analyst who lives in San Francisco, Wolff wants to hold insurers accountable by creating a scorecard that rates how insurers handle claims. It also wants to create a dashboard to reveal complaints about life insurance providers.
