Nov 3Election Day
Oct 19last day for regular voter registration
2candidates on the ballot, both Democrats

What happened

Under Proposition 103, which voters passed in 1988, insurers in California have to get approval before they change rates for home, auto, and most other property and casualty insurance. The Insurance Commissioner runs the department that makes those calls. The commissioner also investigates insurers and enforces the rules.

The current commissioner, Ricardo Lara, is termed out. The winner of this race decides how the state handles rate requests, the FAIR Plan, and insurers leaving or returning to California.

Who's running

Jane Kim

Kim is a former San Francisco supervisor and a former California director of the Working Families Party. She finished first in the June primary with about 27% of the vote. Her proposals include:

  • A state-run disaster insurance pool, which she calls "Natural Disaster Insurance for All," funded partly by redirecting premiums people already pay and phased in over time.
  • A minimum share of premiums paid out in claims for home and auto insurers.
  • Interest paid to policyholders for each day a valid claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid.
  • FAIR Plan changes, including adding consumer advocates and state officials to the board that runs it.
  • A public auto insurance option built on the state's low-cost auto program.

Endorsements include Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Ro Khanna, and the California Labor Federation.

Ben Allen

Allen has been a state senator since 2014 and represents an area that includes the Pacific Palisades. He finished second in the primary with about 19%. His record and focus include:

  • SB 1209, his bill that was signed into law, which gives the commissioner more power to make insurers fix problems found in investigations.
  • SB 1301, which he wrote to require insurers to give more detail before dropping coverage and give homeowners time to fix issues.
  • SB 894, which he wrote to create state-backed loans for fire-hardening homes.
  • Wildfire prevention and keeping homeowners on regular policies and off the FAIR Plan.

Endorsements include the California Democratic Party, Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, and the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board.

Where they agree and where they split

Both promise to be tough on insurers, push for more transparency, and get more drivers to use the state's low-cost auto program. The big difference is structure. Kim wants new state-run options. Allen wants to work inside the current market.

Each has a sharp critique of the other. Allen called Kim's disaster pool "pie in the sky." Kim says Allen would only "tinker" with a system that isn't working. Critics of Kim's plan, including industry voices and some consumer advocates, question whether a state fund could survive a bad fire season. Kim argues that sticking with the current approach is the bigger risk.

What it means for you

The next commissioner will rule on rate requests that land on your renewal for years. That includes how far to let the Sustainable Insurance Strategy go, how to run the FAIR Plan, and how hard to push insurers on claims. Espero doesn't endorse candidates. The point is to know what each one plans to do with your bill.

What to do

  • Check your registration at registertovote.ca.gov. The regular deadline is October 19. After that, you can still register and vote at your county elections office through Election Day.
  • Read each candidate's own plans and the official state voter guide, not just ads.
  • Vote by November 3. Mail ballots count if they're postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days.

Sources

  1. KPBS: How California insurance commissioner candidates Jane Kim and Ben Allen measure up (Oct. 9, 2026)
  2. Insurance Business: Jane Kim's plan to remake California insurance draws fire (Sept. 24, 2026)
  3. Insurance Business: California insurance commissioner race pits market fixes against a public disaster insurer (primary results per Secretary of State)
  4. CalMatters: CA to elect insurance commissioner at crucial time (Oct. 2026)
  5. California Secretary of State: Register to vote

This article is general information about California insurance, checked against the sources above as of October 13, 2026. It isn't advice for your situation. Your policy documents and a licensed professional are the final word. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll correct it.