Up 2 Speed

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Meet Robert Howell

LyteSpeed Learning and the American Agents Alliance continue this exclusive series introducing the candidates running for California Insurance Commissioner.
In this episode, we sit down with Robert Howell to discuss the future of California’s insurance marketplace and the growing challenges facing consumers, agents, and carriers across the state.
Howell shares his perspective on California’s insurance crisis, including affordability, carrier availability, wildfire exposure, regulation, and consumer protection. He discusses his priorities for improving market stability while ensuring consumers have access to coverage.
We also discuss:
Proposition 103 and its impact on the market
California homeowners insurance challenges
Wildfire mitigation and catastrophe risk
Insurance affordability and market competition
Claims handling and consumer transparency
The future of insurance regulation in California
This series is designed to educate insurance professionals, agents, and consumers on the issues shaping the future of insurance in California.
🎧 Subscribe for more interviews with every candidate running for California Insurance Commissioner.
 

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Jane Kim | Affordable, Available, Accountable Insurance for California

Meet  Jane Kim explores her run for California Insurance Commissioner, focusing on affordability, availability, and fair claims handling. Jane discusses improving department management to speed rate approvals, protecting consumers under Prop 103, and bringing agents, industry, and advocates together.
She outlines priorities including expanding low-cost nonprofit auto insurance, investing in risk-reduction programs for climate-driven disasters, and pursuing healthcare initiatives for children, while emphasizing transparency and faster, fairer claim payouts.
Jane Kim for Insurance Commissioner

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Steven Bradford | Inside His Vision to Fix California’s Insurance Marketplace

This week meet Steven Bradford, a former state senator and candidate for California insurance commissioner, outlines his vision to stabilize the insurance market. He discusses modernizing Prop 103, speeding up rate approvals, improving claims handling, and fostering collaboration between carriers, agents, regulators, and communities.
Key topics include reducing delays in rate review, depopulating the FAIR Plan, using catastrophe modeling and mitigation incentives, strengthening forest and land management, and increasing transparency and consumer education.
Steven Bradford for California State Insurance Commissioner

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Merritt Farren | Risk, Reform, and What Comes Next

This week meet Merritt Farren, as he shares about his personal wildfire loss, business and legal background, and why he’s running for California insurance commissioner.
The episode covers market availability, affordability, Prop 103 and rate-making, forward-looking catastrophe models, the intervener process, and claims handling—highlighting Farron’s proposals for streamlining regulation, encouraging innovation, and creating a state-backed "Cal Reinsure" authority to remove catastrophic fire risk from insurers.
Farren emphasizes community safety standards, faster claims payouts, tort reform concerns, and the need for a more competitive, technology-driven insurance marketplace to protect consumers and rebuild communities.
 
Merritt Farren for California Insurance Commissioner 2026

California Insurance Commissioner Candidate Stacy Korsgaden | Insurance Crisis, Prop 103 & Reform Plan

LyteSpeed Learning and the American Agents Alliance continue this exclusive series introducing the candidates for California Insurance Commissioner.
In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Korsgaden, a longtime Farmers Insurance agent, to discuss the current state of California’s insurance market and why she’s running.
Korsgaden shares her perspective on the insurance crisis, including carrier market exits, the growth of surplus lines, and increasing wildfire risk. She also discusses how her industry experience shapes her approach to regulation and consumer protection.
We cover key issues impacting California today:
Proposition 103 and its role in the market
The rise of surplus lines insurance
California’s FAIR Plan challenges
Wildfire mitigation and risk management strategies
The balance between regulation and market stability
Korsgaden also outlines her proposed priorities:
Faster rate approval timelines
Creating a new division to attract admitted carriers
Depopulating the FAIR Plan
Strengthening wildfire mitigation through coordination at all levels
Addressing fraud and exploring tort reform
Expanding licensing and education to better serve consumers
🔗 Learn more about her campaign: https://stacyforinsurancecommissioner.com
🎧 This series is built to inform and educate insurance professionals, agents, and consumers on the future of California’s insurance landscape.

California Insurance at a Crossroads: Patrick Wolff on Fixing the Market

This week we sit down with candidate Patrick Wolff as he outlines why he’s running for California Insurance Commissioner, drawing on his insurance and finance experience and pledging to refuse corporate gifts. He argues for stronger market-conduct regulation, faster rate reviews, and more competition to benefit consumers.
The episode dives into Prop 103, the intervener process, wildfire mitigation and incentives for homeowners, use of forward-looking models and telematics with privacy protections, claims handling, and proposals to increase transparency like insurer report cards.
 
Patrick Wolff for Insurance Commissioner

Selling Your Agency: How to Maximize Value and Find the Right Partner with Harrison Brooks

In this episode, we sit down with Harrison Brooks of Reagan Consulting, one of the industry’s leading experts in insurance agency M&A, valuation, and perpetuation planning. Harrison breaks down exactly what agency owners need to know before selling, merging, or taking on a partner in today’s competitive marketplace.
We dive into the latest acquisition trends, what buyers are really looking for, and how agencies are valued using EBITDA, profitability metrics, and revenue quality. Harrison explains the difference between specialty vs. diversified books, why clean data and strong financial reporting directly impact valuation, and how to position your firm for top-tier offers.
You’ll also learn about common deal structures—cash, stock, earnouts, minority investments—plus key considerations around tax strategy, timing your exit, due diligence prep, and choosing the right buyer based on culture, resources, and long-term goals.
Whether you’re planning to sell in six months or six years, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to maximize value, avoid pitfalls, and confidently navigate the M&A process.
Get in touch with Harrison here: harrison@reaganconsulting.com
Reagan Consulting - Insurance Consulting | M&A Advisory | Capital Raise | Perpetuation Planning | Valuation

Built to Last: Ending Burnout in Insurance

This week on Up2Speed, we sit down with Chelsy Bell Carpenter for a powerful conversation about burnout in the insurance industry.
We break down the latest insurance burnout statistics, explore the root causes of burnout for insurance agents and brokers, and discuss how agency leadership, workplace culture, and personal accountability directly impact mental health and performance.
Chelsy shares practical, actionable habits—including nervous-system regulation techniques, stress-management tools, improving workplace communication, and building daily discipline tied to personal purpose—that insurance professionals can start using today to reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout.
A free three-part resilience cohort launching January 27, designed to help insurance professionals, agency owners, and team leaders rebuild resilience, restore balance, and create long-term, sustainable success.
 
Chelsy Bell Carpenter | Recovery and Resilience for High-Stakes Professionals

Covered California Explained: What 2026 Changes Mean for You

Today we breakdown Covered California and the Affordable Care Act changes for 2026, explaining how federal subsidy cuts are raising premiums and who is most affected.
They cover California’s $190 million relief plan, eligibility brackets, open enrollment dates, enrollment tools, and practical advice for consumers and agents on checking income, choosing plans, and avoiding surprises at tax time.

Join the Experts: Earthquake Insurance & The Great ShakeOut

🌎 California is Earthquake Country — and the stakes have never been higher.
In our latest episode of Up2Speed, we’re joined by three powerhouse voices shaping the future of catastrophe coverage:
💥 John Forney, CEO of GeoVera Nova💥 Glenn Pomeroy, CSO of GeoVera Nova💥 Sue Miller of SageSure
Together, we unpack:🔹 California’s earthquake risk — and what it really means for homeowners and communities🔹 The state of today’s insurance market (and why coverage has never been more critical)🔹 Common misconceptions — like how deductibles actually work🔹 The crucial role insurance plays in protecting our economy
🎙️ This isn’t just a conversation — it’s a call to action.As The Great ShakeOut approaches on October 16, agents have a unique opportunity to lead the charge in driving earthquake awareness and coverage adoption.
💡 Get informed. Bust the myths. Empower your clients with the protection they truly need.