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STEVEN'S VISION
WHY I'M RUNNING
A New Era for Insurance in California
Steve Bradford is running for California State Insurance Commissioner because he believes every Californian deserves access to fair, affordable, and transparent insurance coverage — no matter their ZIP code or income. With a deep track record of fighting for equity and consumer protections in the Legislature, Steve is ready to lead the effort to modernize our insurance system in the face of growing climate risks. He will bring people together — insurers, regulators, and communities — to implement smart reforms that restore stability, reward prevention, and put consumers first.
In every corner of California, families are taking proactive steps to protect their homes — clearing defensible space, investing in upgrades, and doing their part to adapt to a changing climate. And yet, too many still face uncertainty when it comes to securing reliable and affordable home insurance.
Our state stands at a crossroads. As wildfires, floods, and other climate-driven risks intensify, it’s clear that California’s insurance system must evolve to meet the moment. We need smart, sustainable reforms that restore stability to the market, expand access to coverage, and reward mitigation efforts — while also ensuring transparency, fairness, and long-term resilience.
As Insurance Commissioner, Steve won’t approach this challenge with blame — he’ll approach it with resolve. Working in good faith with insurers, regulators, local governments, and communities, he will advance the thoughtful, data-driven recommendations laid out in the Little Hoover Commission’s recent report. These proposals offer a balanced and actionable roadmap to modernize how we manage risk and provide coverage.
Below are ten key priorities that will guide his work from day one. Together, we can build an insurance system that works for the California of today — and is ready for the California of tomorrow.
Bring Transparency to Insurance Pricing
For too long, homeowners have been left in the dark about the wildfire risk models that drive their premiums. I’ll require insurance companies to open the books — publishing how they calculate risk, how they set prices, and how they decide whether to renew your policy. I’ll also push for an independent expert panel to review those models every year and ensure fairness across communities.
Reward People Who Protect Their Homes
We need a system that encourages and rewards prevention. I’ll make sure that when families take action to reduce their risk — whether that’s upgrading their roofs or retrofitting against earthquakes — they get real, guaranteed premium discounts. No more vague promises from insurers. I’ll partner with cities and counties to help fund upgrades and make these changes affordable for all Californians.
Set a Gold Standard for Home Safety
I’ll work with scientists, firefighters, engineers, and local leaders to create a clear, evidence-based checklist of the most effective ways to reduce fire and flood risk. Every insurance company will be required to honor this standard in how they price and renew policies. We’ll make it simple, science-backed, and built to save lives and lower bills.
Rebuild the Insurance Market in High-Risk Areas
I’ll lead the creation of a public–private partnership that shares the risk for insurance companies, so they stay in the market and keep rates stable. This will give families real options — not just the expensive bare-bones state plan — even in high-risk ZIP codes. It’s a smart way to rebuild access without driving up costs.
Fix the FAIR Plan
We need to strengthen the FAIR Plan so it works for people, not just for paperwork. I’ll require the FAIR Plan to help policyholders complete wildfire safety upgrades — and offer support, not punishment, for doing so. At the same time, we’ll set a goal to get families off the FAIR Plan and back into the regular market through real reforms and expanded access.
Make Rates Make Sense
I’ll push for clear, public explanations anytime insurance rates rise — and I’ll hold companies accountable for tying price increases directly to actual risk, not just profit margins. I’ll fight to cap excessive year-over-year rate hikes and make sure mitigation efforts lead to meaningful savings for consumers.
Bring Insurance to the Planning Table
As Insurance Commissioner, I’ll work across state agencies to link insurance rules with land use and emergency planning. I’ll ensure cities are factoring insurance availability into how and where we build new homes — and require wildfire and flood maps to be part of every General Plan. Prevention starts with planning, and insurance should be part of the conversation.
Support Safer Moves for the Most At-Risk
For those in the most high-risk areas — where insurance is unaffordable and rebuilding might not be safe — I’ll support a voluntary buyout program. We’ll help families relocate to safer, insurable areas while protecting their financial future. This isn’t about pushing people out — it’s about giving them real options.
Modernize the Department of Insurance
I’ll build up our team with climate scientists, actuaries, and data experts who can keep up with a fast-changing insurance market. We’ll create a public-facing dashboard where you can see where coverage is shrinking, what companies are charging, and how well they’re serving your community. Accountability starts with information.
Put Equity Front and Center
I’ll make sure that mitigation incentives, premium assistance, and outreach programs reach the communities that need them most — including rural areas, low-income families, and non-English speaking households. I’ll also require insurance companies to report on how they’re serving all Californians, not just those with wealth or perfect credit.
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