California voters choose the next insurance commissioner

California voters are deciding whether Jane Kim or Ben Allen will replace Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, after years of wildfires strained the state’s property insurance system. Nearly half of residents say their home or renters insurance costs more than they did a year ago, according to a recent poll.

Kim, a former San Francisco supervisor, supports creating a state-run disaster insurance program to provide wildfire coverage. She has said the effort would be difficult and could take years. Allen, a state senator whose district includes people affected by the Palisades Fire, favors a broad wildfire-prevention strategy and points to his recent work on insurance and utility responsibility for fires. The race is the first time two Democrats have competed for the office.

The winner will also oversee auto, life, pet, some health coverage and workers’ compensation. Immediate pressure includes insurance delays and rejected claims tied to the Eaton and Palisades fires. The department has pending cases involving State Farm and the FAIR Plan. With El Niño approaching, the commissioner, insurers and other experts are also emphasizing protection against flooding and wind damage, along with flood insurance.