Insurance commissioner is a political, elected position in California.
Current commissioner, in order to keep favor with the public and keep getting re-elected, decided to deny most requests by insurance carriers to increase rates in the face of mounting losses for the last 4-5 years.
Short term result: California rates remained pretty stable
Long term result: Major carriers are leaving the state completely and refusing to do business there.
Geico shut down in California, closed all agencies and call center. Other carriers are following suit and non-renewing policies and getting the hell out as fast as they can
https://ktla.com/news/california/state-farm-to-non-renew-72000-policies/