The California insurance commissioner has been an elected executive office position in
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
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 California Department of Insurance (CDI), established in 1868, is the agency charged with overseeing insurance regulations, enforcing statutes mandating consumer protections, educating consumers, and fostering the stability of insurance market ...
.
The current insurance commissioner is
Democrat Ricardo Lara.
Duties
* 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
As a result of the passage of
Proposition 103 California voters passed Proposition 103 on November 8, 1988. It in effect made insurance companies require "prior approval" from the California Department of Insurance before implementing property and casualty insurance rates. It passed with 51% ...
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.
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
The Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) is a regulatory body governing managed health care plans, sometimes referred to as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in California. The DMHC was created as the first state department in the count ...
.
References
External links
*
{{U.S. Insurance Commissioners
1991 establishments in California
Insurance in the United States