After a decade of wildfires, an overlooked election could shape California’s climate future

California's insurance commissioner election could shape the state's climate future.

The full report

After a decade of wildfires, California is facing a crisis in its home insurance market. The state's insurance commissioner, an elected official, regulates the companies that provide fire, home, and auto coverage in the Golden State. Over the last eight years, the incumbent insurance commissioner has presided over what parties on all sides have called a 'disaster,' a 'crisis,' and a 'collapse' in the state's home insurance market.

The crisis has left many Californians, like Lynn McIntyre, struggling to access affordable insurance. McIntyre's mother died in 2022, and she inherited her longtime house in western Los Angeles. However, her insurance company, Liberty Mutual, withdrew her fire coverage, and she was forced to enroll in the California FAIR Plan, a state-backed 'insurer of last resort.' Despite filing a claim after the Palisades Fire in 2025, McIntyre was told she was out of luck and would have to pay for repairs herself.

The issue of affordable insurance is a pressing concern for Californians, particularly in the face of climate change. The state's insurance commissioner has a crucial role in regulating the companies that provide coverage and ensuring that Californians have access to affordable insurance. Two Democratic candidates, Ben Allen and Jane Kim, are vying for the position and have different approaches to addressing the crisis.

Ben Allen, an established legislator, wants to rebuild the market, while Jane Kim, a left-wing organizer, wants to ditch the idea of a private market altogether. Whoever wins in November will inherit an insurance system battered by a decade of wildfires and will have to make difficult decisions to ensure that Californians have access to affordable insurance.

The election is not just about the insurance market, but also about the state's approach to climate change. The candidates' differing views on how to adapt to climate change reflect a broader debate within the Democratic Party. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for California's climate future and the lives of its residents.