In an interview, Webb said she went to the meetings to "get a consensus from them on certain legislation" and to learn "what's on their radar screen."
She said she invited insurance lobbyists to meet with her in February to learn where they stood on a bill by Assemblyman Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), who wants insurers to do more to help struggling communities.
His measure would require insurers to disclose any investments they make in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. That information would then be disclosed on the state Insurance Department website.
One opponent of the bill is the American Insurance Assn. Webb was another. There is no need to demand such reports, she said, because "the insurance industry is already doing it on their own."
Disclosure of such information is now voluntary; the Ridley-Thomas bill would make it mandatory. The measure passed the Legislature; Schwarzenegger has until Saturday to act on it.
Asked if she reaches out to industry opponents, Webb said she has greeted them at meetings and passed out her business card, but none has bothered to call. Consumer groups say they've seen little of her.
Mark Savage, senior attorney for Consumers Union in San Francisco, said he has met with some insurance advisors who preceded Webb but has not heard from her.
"There's been no outreach to me," he said.
peter.nicholas@latimes.com
