California Insurance Commissioner Race Centers on Market Recovery and Rising Premiums

Overview

• Commissioner Ricardo Lara says last year’s regulations are beginning to restore availability, with insurers writing policies again.
• Under the new rules, Mercury, CSAA and USAA secured higher rates after being allowed to factor reinsurance costs and catastrophe models into filings.
• Enrollment in the FAIR Plan has surged 146% since 2022, signaling constrained access to private coverage.
• The Department of Insurance is investigating State Farm and the FAIR Plan over claims handling as many Los Angeles County fire survivors report delays and denials.
• Lara projects a three- to five-year stabilization timeline and several candidates—including Ben Allen, Steven Bradford, Jane Kim and Patrick Wolff—have entered the 2026 race as consumer groups scrutinize his regulatory approach.