California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced Friday he has "provisionally" approved State Farm's rate hike of 22% as the company reports dealing with financial struggles stemming from the Los Angeles wildfires.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara “provisionally” approved State Farm General’s request for an emergency 22% increase in its homeowners insurance rate Friday — but only if the company can justify it with data in a public hearing scheduled for next month.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said he plans to approve a 22% emergency rate increase for State Farm policyholders, pending a public hearing next month, in a move aimed at stabilizing the state’s insurance market after the Los Angeles area’s devastating wildfires.