California Insurance Commissioner

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

Insurance Commissioner of California
Incumbent
Ricardo Lara
since January 7, 2019
Government of California
Department of Insurance
StyleThe Honorable
Term lengthFour years, two term limit
Inaugural holderJohn Garamendi
1991
FormationProposition 103
Websitewww.insurance.ca.gov

The current insurance commissioner isDemocratRicardo Lara.

Duties

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  • 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.[1]

Office

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As a result of the passage ofProposition 103in 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 theCalifornia 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[3] 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

References

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  1. ^"Mission of California Department of Insurance".California Department of Insurance.RetrievedJuly 8,2008.
  2. ^Gorn, David (February 8, 2014)."Insurance Regulation Shifted Toward Health Plan Regulator".
  3. ^"AsianWeek".Archived fromthe originalon July 3, 2007.RetrievedAugust 23,2007.
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