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California Insurance Commissioner

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Insurance Commissioner of California
Great Seal of the State of California
State flag
Incumbent
Ricardo Lara
since January 7, 2019
Government of California
Department of Insurance
StyleThe Honorable
Term length
  • Four years, two term limit
Inaugural holderJohn Garamendi
1991
FormationProposition 103
SuccessionNinth
Websitewww.insurance.ca.gov

The California insurance commissioner has been an elected executive office position in California since 1991. Prior to that time, the insurance commissioner was appointed by the governor. The officeholder is in charge of the California Department of Insurance.

The current insurance commissioner is Democrat Ricardo Lara who will term-limit out in 2027. The next commissioner is Jane Kim who will take office on January 4, 2027.

Duties

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The duties of the Insurance Commissioner include the following responsibilities:[1]

  • Oversees and directs all functions of the Department of Insurance.
  • Licenses, regulates, and examines insurance companies.
  • Answers public questions and complaints regarding the insurance industry.
  • Enforces the laws of the California Insurance Code and adopts regulations to implement the laws.
  • The mission is to ensure vibrant markets where insurers keep their promises and the health and economic security of individuals, families, and businesses are protected.

Office

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As a result of the passage of Proposition 103 in 1988, the elected office of the California Insurance Commissioner was created in 1991. Previously, the position was held by a person appointed by the Governor. The Insurance Commissioner oversees the Department of Insurance.

The Insurance Commissioner does not oversee the majority of Health Plans and Health Insurance.[2] HMO Health Plans and PPO Plans offered by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California are overseen by the California Department of Managed Health Care.

Outside groups spent more than $6 million on the 2026 California insurance commissioner race, the highest amount ever recorded for the position, according to CalMatters.[3]

Name Term Party
John Garamendi January 7, 1991 – January 2, 1995 Democratic
Chuck Quackenbush January 2, 1995 – July 10, 2000 Republican
J. Clark Kelso July 10, 2000 – September 17, 2000 Republican
Harry W. Low September 18, 2000 – January 6, 2003[4] Democratic
John Garamendi January 6, 2003 – January 8, 2007 Democratic
Steve Poizner January 8, 2007 – January 3, 2011 Republican
Dave Jones January 3, 2011–January 7, 2019 Democratic
Ricardo Lara January 7, 2019 – January 4, 2027 Democratic
Jane Kim January 4, 2027 Democratic

Elections

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References

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  1. ↑ "Mission of California Department of Insurance". California Department of Insurance. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
  2. ↑ Gorn, David (February 8, 2014). "Insurance Regulation Shifted Toward Health Plan Regulator".
  3. ↑ Kimelman, Levi Sumagaysay, Jeremia (October 26, 2026). "Who's spending money on the California insurance commissioner race". CalMatters. Retrieved October 26, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ "AsianWeek.com". Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved August 23, 2007.
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