Keith Davis

Candidate Response - 3 of 8

This article is part of a multi-part series introducing candidates who are running for the position of insurance commissioner in California. Eight candidates responded to three questions posed by Journalist Don Jergler.

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Keith Davis, running as an American Independent, spent nearly a decade in the insurance industry as an insurance agent, selling and managing everything from auto and homeowners coverage to commercial policies. One of his top issues is addressing the state’s insurance crisis and high premiums and ensuring fair claims handling.

Q: How do you feel about the direction of the state’s insurance market?

Davis: Over the past four or five years, I feel like California’s insurance market has been heading in the wrong direction. From what I’ve seen, stability and confidence have steadily declined. People aren’t just frustrated anymore, they’re starting to feel uneasy about a system that’s supposed to protect them. It seems like all we’ve heard lately is about carriers leaving the state, stricter guidelines and rising rates.

There really hasn’t been much good news to balance that out. Instead of solutions, people are left with fewer options and higher costs, which is tough on families, homeowners, and small business owners, especially in higher fire risk areas. It’s creating a lot of uncertainty about whether people can even get or keep coverage.

“My direct, boots-on-the-ground experience working in insurance day-in and day-out truly separates me from the other candidates.

I’m not just talking about the industry. I’ve been living it.”

Keith Davis

At the end of the day, this path isn’t sustainable. We need real solutions, more transparency, and leadership that’s focused on rebuilding trust and bringing some stability back to the market.

Q: What changes will you make if you are elected to the insurance commissioner post that our readers should know about?

Davis: If elected, one of the first things I’d focus on is taking a hard look at how fireline scores and boundaries are set. Right now, too many areas are labeled high-risk, forcing homeowners to pay higher prices even when their specific situation doesn’t justify it. I think we’ve overreacted in some cases, leading to fewer options and higher costs. We need a fairer and more accurate system so people can actually find and afford coverage.

I also really want to focus on education. Many people don’t fully understand their policies, things like BI/PD limits, 50/100 coverage or loss of use. If we can break that down in a simple way, it helps people make better decisions at renewal.

And I’d like to sit down with carriers to explore premium credits for safe drivers. It may not be easy, but if there’s a way to reward people with clean records and actually lower their premiums, it’s definitely a conversation worth having.

Q: What separates you from the other candidates in the race?

Davis: My direct, boots-on-the-ground experience working in insurance day-in and day-out truly separates me from the other candidates.

I’m not just talking about the industry. I’ve been living it. Even as recently…I was submitting a California Fair Plan policy, pulling MVRs, running reconstruction cost estimates, and helping clients get coverage.

I’ve handled claims, pushed back on adjusters when something didn’t feel right, and helped fix issues like items showing up on an MVR that shouldn’t be there. I’ve written just about every type of policy out there, so I know how this system works from the inside.

I’ve seen what’s broken firsthand, and I’ve had to deal with it alongside my clients. That’s the difference, I’m not watching this from the outside. I’ve been in the middle of it, and I’m here to help fix it and serve the people the right way.

Compiled by Don Jergler, West Coast Editor of Insurance Journal