California candidates compete for insurance commissioner role

Two Democrats, State Sen. Ben Allen and former San Francisco supervisor Jane Kim, are competing for the position of California insurance commissioner. The election follows a decade of deadly wildfires that have destabilized the state’s property insurance market.

Jane Kim has proposed the creation of a public disaster insurance program as part of her platform. Ben Allen advocates for a comprehensive wildfire-mitigation plan to address insurance availability and affordability. Insurers have recently raised premiums, citing increased disaster risks and rising replacement costs.

The role involves regulating a wide range of sectors, including auto, life, pet, and certain health insurance, as well as workers’ compensation. The campaign has seen significant spending, with business interests and utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison supporting Allen.