Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei criticized Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s lawsuits against State Farm and Allstate, saying the cases arrived late and carried more political weight than consumer protection value.
Drummond says both insurers used schemes to underpay homeowners after storm damage. During a July 11 Hot Seat interview with Oklahoma’s Own Scott Mitchell, Drummond said internal documents helped support the lawsuits.
He argued those records show insurers intentionally charged customers too much for coverage while paying too little on valid weather-related claims.
Courts have not decided either lawsuit. State Farm and Allstate deny wrongdoing.
Mazzei told News On 6 that Oklahoma should focus on regulatory and legal changes aimed at reducing homeowners and auto insurance premiums.
He pointed to recent legislation that moved Oklahoma from a “file and use” insurance system to a “file and wait” model. According to Mazzei, the shift gives regulators more time to review premium increases before they reach policyholders.
Mazzei placed Florida’s lawsuit reform model near the center of his insurance plan. He said his administration would try to copy what he described as Florida’s approach, arguing lower litigation costs helped bring down insurance premiums there.
He also said he would work closely with the next attorney general, rather than continue what he described as a hostile relationship between the governor’s office and the attorney general.
Mazzei questioned the timing of Drummond’s lawsuits against State Farm and Allstate. Oklahoma’s new “file and wait” system marks progress toward slowing premium growth.
He also proposed Florida-style lawsuit reforms as a way to cut insurance costs and said he would coordinate with the attorney general on legal matters if voters elect him governor.
Mazzei agreed with State Farm’s claim that the lawsuits were politically motivated. He said political considerations have appeared throughout Drummond’s tenure as attorney general.
The Republican candidate also pointed to endorsements from President Donald Trump and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Mazzei said those endorsements show support for his campaign platform, which centers on lower taxes, lighter regulation and economic growth.
