2022 election: Q&A with Vinson Eugene Allen, California insurance commissioner candidate [The San Diego Union-Tribune]

There are nine candidates for state insurance commissioner on the June 7 ballot. Three Democrats — medical doctor/businessman Vinson Eugene Allen ($1 million), incumbent Ricardo Lara ($1.9 million) and San Rafael Assemblymember Marc Levine ($1.8 million) — have far outraised all others to get their messages out. The top two vote-getters will advance to a Nov. 8 runoff election. The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board sent surveys to the three main candidates. Here are their replies.

If you have comments or questions about the election or any of the candidates after reading this interview, please email Editorial and Opinion Director Matthew T. Hall at [email protected].

Below are Vinson Eugene Allen's responses and a link to other responses.

Q: What in your background makes you the best candidate for this job?

A: As a doctor, I'm trained to approach each issue in a scientific manner. As a successful businessman, I know the challenges of the insurance market.

I'm also realistic about what the office of the insurance commissioner can accomplish.

We need to bring down the cost of insurance in California by directing the enforcement arm of the Department of Insurance to go after organized crime. The California Department of Insurance has one of the state's largest investigative law enforcement units. I propose expanding the unit's efforts to address organized crime activities across the state. The governor deployed the Highway Patrol to address <a label=""smash and grab" theft" class="rte2-style-brightspot-core-link-LinkRichTextElement" href="https://abc7.com/california-guilty-pleas-organized-crime-ring-retail-theft/11814398/">"smash and grab" theft and has seen success. However, insurance crime and fraud goes far beyond simple theft. Your paper recently covered an audit exposing millions wasted by San Diego on workers' compensation claims and safety. According to the audit, city officials failed to investigate fraud or even red flags of fraud. That's costing consumers real money. We also need to use a portion of our historic surplus to provide immediate rate relief to seniors and those hit hardest by the pandemic.

Californians are facing an affordability crisis. Many of my patients come from very humble means. Making ends meet is a daily struggle. I was born into a very similar situation in Cleveland, Miss. My mother passed away when I was 9 months old and I was raised by my grandmother. I remember that struggle and see it in the faces of my patients in Los Angeles.

Q: Assess incumbent Ricardo Lara's term as insurance commissioner.

A: The state of California is failing our most vulnerable. Fraud, abuse, inefficiencies within the system and onerous regulation have driven up the cost of insurance for everyone.

By using the enforcement arm of the Department of Insurance, we can arrest those associated with organized crime operations across the state. We all see the news reports of shoplifting or "smash and grab robberies." One heist resulted in the loss of $250,000 in products. These are large insurance events that drive up the cost of insurance for business and consumers, not to mention the loss of wages and overall safety concerns, workers' comp abuse and fraudulent accident claims. These operations are being run by organized crime.

I'd also propose an independent third-party auditor for homeowners insurance rates.

I'm a doctor, not a politician. This office has been used as a political parking spot for far too long. I'd like to get into office and deliver some savings for consumers.

Q: How would you ensure that homeowners, only starting with those in high-risk wildfire zones, know what steps are necessary to maintain eligibility for private insurance and are treated fairly by insurance companies when seeking coverage?

A: Cal Fire has grant funding available for wildfire prevention and resilience. I propose we use some of our historic surplus to increase the amount of funding for those programs immediately.

I'd like to then work with the Governor's Office to secure resources to manage vegetation and ignition points within what's known as the wildland-urban interface. This is where homes meet wild vegetation.

Q: The state's FAIR program is meant to provide insurance of last resort to property owners who are denied coverage from private insurers. Is it doing an adequate job in an era of wildfire risk and greater denials? If not, how would you improve it?

A: The FAIR plan is designed to be an insurer of last resort for fire insurance coverage. If the market is functioning properly, the FAIR plan will not be used extensively. For the market to work, the Insurance Department needs to ensure that rates are adequate to cover the risk of wildfire, which is increasingly more expensive because of climate change and poor forestry management. Prior commissioners have allowed political science rather than actuarial science to guide their decisions. As a doctor with a heavy background in science, I will let data guide my decisions, which is why I am calling on a full audit by the state auditor of the department's rate setting for the past decade in the homeowners insurance space and the FAIR plan. I will fight to keep rates low, while ensuring there is adequate coverage available in the marketplace.

If elected, I will work with the administration, Legislature and insurance companies to ensure that the California insurance market remains competitive.

Q: Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

A: I'm a doctor and businessman who has dedicated his life to serving the community. I'm not a politician nor have I run for office before. I'm not accepting money from Sacramento special interests and have spent over $600,000 of my own money on this campaign.

I'm asking for your vote because I want to make a positive impact and provide some relief to Californians. This office should work for all Californians.

Vote Vinson Eugene Allen for insurance commissioner. Doctor. Not politician.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.