California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is facing mounting criticism for his handling of the state’s insurance crisis. U.S. Representative John Garamendi, who previously served as the state’s insurance commissioner, publicly called for Lara to step down if he is unwilling to challenge insurance companies. In an interview with ABC 7, Garamendi expressed concerns about Lara’s leadership, stating, “If the commissioner is not willing to do [the job], then he’s not doing his job and he should leave.”

California is grappling with an escalating insurance crisis, marked by insurers withdrawing from the state, raising premiums, or halting new policies altogether. Over half a million homeowners are experiencing their second rate hikes in a year. Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, have scorched over 1 million acres this year, further complicating the situation. Lara has argued that resolving the crisis hinges on addressing wildfire risks.

Critics, including California’s Little Hoover Commission, have accused Lara of being absent from key hearings and failing to take decisive action. The Commission recently proposed solutions, such as creating wildfire mitigation standards for homeowners and establishing an independent panel to evaluate insurance companies’ catastrophe models.

Lara’s spokesperson, Michael Soller, defended his leadership, highlighting bipartisan support for legislation to fund wildfire resilience projects and calling Garamendi’s remarks unproductive. However, pressure continues to build as homeowners and officials demand stronger action to stabilize California’s insurance market and address the challenges posed by climate-driven disasters.