Areas of practice. Insurance regulatory; reinsurance, insurance M&A; corporate. Show
Professional associations/memberships. Member of the Insurance Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association and Chair of the Society for Law and Insurance (a supporting organisation for the St. John's University Greenberg School of Insurance, Risk Management and Actuarial Science). Has also served as a Special Advisor for Regulatory Issues for the Principles of International Reinsurance Law (PRICL), International Institute for the Unification of Private Law.
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) was created in 1868 as part of a national system of state-based insurance regulation. The insurance market place has changed dramatically over time, but consumer protection continues to be the core of CDI's mission. Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Nearly 1,400 dedicated employees work at CDI to oversee more than 1,400 insurance companies and license more than 485,000 agents, brokers, adjusters, bail agents, and business entities. In the normal course of business, CDI annually processes more than 8,000 rate applications, issues approximately 280,000 licenses (new and renewals) and performs hundreds of financial reviews and examinations of insurers doing business in California. CDI annually receives more than 170,000 consumer assistance calls, investigates more than 37,000 consumer complaints and, as a result, recovers more than $84 million a year for consumers. CDI also annually receives and processes tens of thousands of referrals regarding suspected fraud against insurers and others and conducts criminal investigations resulting in thousands of arrests every year. All of CDI's functions, including overseeing insurer solvency, licensing agents and brokers, conducting market conduct reviews, resolving consumer complaints, and investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud, are to protect consumers. Consumers, insurance companies, and licensees rely on CDI to ensure that insurance products and services are available to consumers timely, and that they deliver fair and equal benefits. To meet these expectations, CDI ensures that insurers are solvent, consumer complaints are addressed in a reasonable manner, and insurers and licensees play fairly in the marketplace. In 1988, California voters passed Proposition 103, a citizen-led initiative. Proposition 103 expanded CDI's authority as well as changed the Insurance Commissioner from an appointee of the Governor to an independent statewide officer elected by popular vote. Proposition 103 also required prior approvals of property and casualty rates, including personal auto and homeowner insurance. CDI enforces the insurance laws of California and has authority over how insurers and licensees conduct business in California. License fees, assessments, and Proposition 103 recoupment fees are the primary sources of funding for CDI. Top OrganizationCDI's work is accomplished through the following branches and offices:
Page 2Google™ Translation DisclaimerThis Google™ translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. The Department of Insurance is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. The Department of Insurance is also unable to guarantee the same page layout for all the languages. Depending on the languages, the page layout may look strange from the original. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. Select a Language Below / Seleccione el Idioma AbajoClose this box or use the [X] Page 3
Schedule a meeting or request the Commissioner's participation at an upcoming event. Please click the green scheduling icon below to visit CDI's interactive scheduling contact page. Back to Top Report Suspected FraudIf you believe you are a victim of insurance fraud or have information concerning suspected insurance fraud please contact our Fraud Division. Back to Top Make a Public Records Act RequestThose requestion information related to the Public Records Act should direct correspondence to the Legal Division. Back to Top Information for ReportersContact our Communications and Press Relations Branch. Back to Top Do Business in CaliforniaCompanies wishing to do business in California and existing companies seeking approval of corporate transactions should direct correspondence to the Corporate Affairs Bureau. We recommend you contact the department with any questions prior to submitting your application. Back to Top Contact the OmbudsmanThe Ombudsman's primary function is to ensure the Department provides the highest level of customer service to our consumers, insurers, agents, brokers, and public officials. The Ombudsman is responsible for ensuring that complaints about the Department staff or actions receive full and impartial review. Back to Top WebmasterFor technical questions or problems regarding this website, please contact our webmaster. Back to Top
Report suspected fraud. Questions? Email EBHQ Reporting Services at: View our regional offices. California Department of Insurance, Legal Division Government Law Bureau 300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1700
Web link: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/
California Department of Insurance Corporate Affairs Bureau 1901 Harrison Street, 6th Floor Oakland, CA 94612 or by emailing the Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Branch: . California Department of Insurance Office of the Ombudsman 300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1600 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-492-3545 Fax Number: 916-492-3649 Email: Google™ Translation DisclaimerThis Google™ translation feature is provided for informational purposes only. The Department of Insurance is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. The Department of Insurance is also unable to guarantee the same page layout for all the languages. Depending on the languages, the page layout may look strange from the original. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. Select a Language Below / Seleccione el Idioma AbajoClose this box or use the [X] Page 4Ricardo Lara is California’s 8th Insurance Commissioner since voters created the elected position in 1988. As leader of the nation’s largest state consumer protection agency he will protect Californians’ futures. Recovering from natural disasters and resisting climate change“We cannot deny that with climate change, California faces a threat like never before. We need bold action to ensure our communities adapt and are resilient to this new reality.” Commissioner Lara will help Californians recover from natural disasters and resist the impact of climate change on our communities. As Senator he expanded protections for disaster survivors from losing their homes to insurance cancellation and nonrenewal. He wrote the nation’s first climate insurance law, SB 30, to engage the insurance industry in the fight against climate-linked environmental disasters like wildfires and sea level rise. He is one of California’s most effective environmental champions, working to improve health conditions and rein in air pollution. He received the United Nations 2017 Climate and Clean Air Awards with Governor Brown and the Air Resources Board for his work to reduce super pollutants. Protecting Californians from fraud“We will use every resource to crack down on fraud, which continues to cost consumers and businesses millions of dollars.” Commissioner Lara pledged to protect all Californians from insurance fraud. As State Senator he authored laws that help prevent prescription drug abuse and crack down on patient brokering and fraud involving Californians recovering from substance abuse disorders. As Commissioner he will confront insurance fraud affecting seniors, working families, immigrant communities and other vulnerable Californians. Embracing technology“Technology is touching every aspect of our lives. We need to embrace new technology to improve access, affordability, and privacy, while promoting creativity and allowing innovation to transform the industry.” Commissioner Lara wants to keep California at the forefront of the discussion on technology, and make sure we do not lose ground to other states in the race for innovation. The Department will embrace new technology in how people buy insurance while protecting their privacy. California is the hub of innovation, and consumers should be able to insure their cars, homes, or property in many different ways. Expanding access to health care“I am excited to be Governor Newsom's partner in expanding affordable health care for every Californian. There is nothing we cannot achieve with our new common agenda.” Commissioner Lara believes affordable health care should be within reach for all Californians. As State Senator he authored the Health4All Kids Act, which now covers 250,000 California children with full-scope Medi-Cal regardless of their immigration status. He supports efforts to continue to reduce the number of uninsured Californians, strengthen our clinics and public health system, and lower costs for all. Ensuring a fair insurance market“I ran for the office of Insurance Commissioner to make a difference in Californians’ lives.” The Department of Insurance recovers hundreds of millions of dollars for consumers every year through investigating complaints and conducting market conduct exams. In 2018 alone, the Department recovered $154 million in claims and premiums on behalf of wildfire survivors and other Californians. Consumers who feel they have been treated unfairly by an insurance company, agent or any licensee, are urged to contact the Department’s toll-free Consumer Hotline at (800) 927-4357 or visit our web site: insurance.ca.gov. About Commissioner Lara:Raised in East Los Angeles by immigrant parents, Commissioner Ricardo Lara made history in 2018 by becoming the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in California’s history. Commissioner Lara previously served in the California Legislature, representing Assembly District 50 from 2010 to 2012 and Senate District 33 from 2012 to 2018. Commissioner Lara earned a BA in Journalism and Spanish with a minor in Chicano Studies from San Diego State University. |
When and how was the right of the states to regulate the business of insurance first established?
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