Kerr was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.[1] He established the Allen Kerr Insurance Company in 1981. In 2013 the company was bought by Simmons Bank, with Kerr continuing as president.[1] In 2009, he was elected for the 32nd district of the Arkansas House of Representatives.[1] Kerr succeeded Sid Rosenbaum. In 2015, he was succeeded by Jim Sorvillo for the 32nd district.[5] Kerr was Arkansas Commissioner of Insurance from 2015 to 2020, when he resigned to work in the private sector.[1]