In January 2025,
fire tore through
Ben Allen’s Palisades community.
As State Senator, Ben stepped up to lead in a moment of crisis, helping support thousands of families who faced the devastating loss of their homes and memories.
“When the Palisades fires hit, Ben Allen showed up. And he didn't leave until we got what we were owed. He’s relentless in his fight to ensure we were treated fairly by the insurance companies.”
“Ben didn’t stop fighting for us until our claims were finally paid. As Insurance Commissioner, he’ll always put people first.”
The insurance companies charge outrageous rates, while denying claims and dropping coverage. Californians are facing an insurance crisis.
Reduce the outrageous cost of insurance
Prevent companies from dropping policies and denying claims
Stabilize the insurance market to ensure fair and affordable rates
Require insurers provide timely, fair treatment
Move People off the FAIR plan that drives up rates for everyone
Make the Department of Insurance accessible and accountable to consumers
May 2, 2026
"State Sen. Ben Allen, a Santa Monica Democrat who represents the Palisades, is widely regarded as a thoughtful lawmaker who takes the time to understand all sides of an issue. As someone who witnessed the devastation wrought by the Los Angeles fires and the roadblocks to rebuilding, Allen has unique insight into the insurance market’s strengths and weaknesses.
"...he’s authored important consumer-protection laws — including one requiring insurers to increase upfront payment for personal property claims without residents first having to submit a detailed home inventory — and is working on bills to provide low-interest loans for risk-reduction projects and help homeowners keep their coverage if they mitigate insurer-identified risks.
Allen is an experienced legislator capable of pushing big reforms through the state’s bureaucracy as needed."
Ben allen for insurance commissioner
Trusted by California's Leaders and Front Line Workers
Senator Adam Schiff
Senator Alex Padilla
California Professional Firefighters
Sierra
Club
In January 2025, fire tore through Ben Allen’s Palisades community. As State Senator, Ben stepped up to lead in a moment of crisis, helping support thousands of families who faced the devastating loss of their homes and memories.
Ben brought state and federal leaders together to help with resident assistance, secure funding to rebuild critical landmarks like Will Rogers State Historic Park and to help families piece their lives back together. Ben wrote legislation to assist mobile home park residents who lost everything, provide tax assistance for fire victims, and give greater help to victims trying to maximize content coverage from their insurers. He has supported efforts to establish home hardening standards to help residents better protect their homes from future fires and reduce liabilities for the insurance market.
Ben has a long track record of negotiating difficult legislation in the State Capitol on complicated and important topics. As wildfires and other natural disasters grow more severe due to a changing climate, this is a moment that demands bold, effective leadership. That’s what is driving Ben to run for California State Insurance Commissioner: to continue his lifelong commitment to fighting for the public good — protecting consumers, safeguarding the environment, and making government more transparent and accountable to the people it serves.
Before joining the Senate, Ben served as President of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education and lecturer at UCLA Law School. He and his wife, Melanie, an attorney, live in Santa Monica with their two young children.
