California Insurance Commissioner
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.
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
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.
| 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 | 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–present | Democratic |