California Insurance Commissioner’s Travel Draws Scrutiny
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — California’s Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, is facing scrutiny regarding his attendance record, particularly his absence from key state insurance hearings. 7 On Your Side has investigated the commissioner’s travel, uncovering a pattern of trips that have raised questions about Lara’s commitment to his duties.
Since taking office in 2019, Lara has been absent from numerous state insurance briefings, including the first key briefing of the year, a Senate committee hearing held on March 12, 2025, in the wake of Los Angeles fires. Instead, his Chief Deputy Commissioner, Michael Martinez, filled in.
7 On Your Side obtained and analyzed hundreds of public records detailing at least 46 cross-country and international trips taken by Lara, including at least 11 taxpayer-funded excursions to locations such as Bogota, Paris, and Toronto. However, Lara’s office has been unable to identify the business purpose for nearly all of them.
“How do you represent the state if you’re not even there at these meetings?” questioned Ray Asbell, a long-time employee of the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Asbell specialized in travel policy.
“He travels a lot… he’s everywhere but his chair!” Asbell added.
Absence at Key Hearings
The Senate Insurance Committee holds only two to three key informational hearings a year. These gatherings are crucial for providing updates on California’s evolving insurance market. Lara’s absence from these hearings has raised concerns.
Records show Lara was in Bermuda in mid-March for a conference with insurance executives, delivering a 15-minute speech. He also missed a key Assembly insurance hearing last year while in Bermuda.
However, he later attended a “Legislative Study Tour” in the United Kingdom. Public records show taxpayers covered his four-star hotel bill.
Lavish Travel and Expenses
7 On Your Side’s investigation, examining public records dating back to 2019, reveals a pattern of extensive travel expenses. These records indicate that Lara has been absent from at least seven other state insurance hearings due to travel commitments.
During his initial year in office, Lara missed two insurance hearings while attending conferences in Washington, D.C., and Florida. In between, he took a $6,000 trip to Paris for an “Economic Development Conference,” paid for by taxpayers.
Senator Susan Rubio, Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, stated that Lara has only appeared at the informational hearings on two occasions since he took office, and one of those times was via Zoom.
Commissioner’s Response
The Commissioner’s office has been less than forthcoming about the specifics of his travel, despite repeated requests for information from 7 On Your Side. His staff responded with a statement saying that Commissioner Lara’s rigorous meeting schedule is a key part of his commitment to protecting consumers and safeguarding the integrity of the insurance market.
When asked about the Bermuda trip, the Commissioner’s staff stated, “Commissioner Lara’s job is to ensure that California consumers have real choices — not just last resorts… This involves going over the heads of insurance companies and engaging directly with the global reinsurance groups that support them.”
However, when asked how many insurance companies have been retained to support California’s insurance market, no answer was given.
“Frankly, people should be outraged!” said Asbell.
7 On Your Side requested travel and expense data from Insurance Commissioners in New York and Florida, but has yet to receive a response.
Editor’s Note: 7 On Your Side’s consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area.
