Ben Allen (D) and Jane Kim (D) are running in the general election for California commissioner of insurance on Nov. 3. They defeated nine other candidates to advance from the top-two primary on June 2. Kim received 26.8% of the vote and Allen 19.6%. Incumbent Ricardo Lara (D) is term-limited. The commissioner of insurance regulates the property and casualty insurance market.
This is the first time two Democrats have appeared in the general election for the office. The election is set against the backdrop of home insurance rates and recent wildfires. CalMatters' Levi Sumagaysay writes that wildfires "were a factor in insurance companies canceling homeowner policies or refusing to write new ones. ... Many survivors of last year’s Los Angeles County fires are struggling to rebuild; they have sued insurance companies."
The two candidates differ in how they would approach insurance policy changes in light of the wildfires. Allen proposes stabilizing the private insurance market by opposing insurers that deny and delay claims, ensuring post-disaster insurer compliance, and increasing the department's transparency and accountability. Allen's website says, "My plan will restore a competitive insurance market, ensure Californians are treated fairly after disasters, and build resilient communities that can withstand the climate challenges ahead."
