State Farm Executive Fired Over Secretly Recorded Wildfire Comments
Haden Kirkpatrick was terminated after a covert video revealed controversial remarks about California wildfires, insurance rate hikes, and housing development.
- Haden Kirkpatrick, State Farm's vice president for innovation and venture capital, was secretly recorded during a January Tinder date, making disparaging comments about wildfire victims and housing in fire-prone areas.
- The video, published by O'Keefe Media Group, captured Kirkpatrick discussing State Farm's request for a 22% emergency rate hike for California homeowners, claiming the company would cancel policies if the increase was denied.
- State Farm dismissed Kirkpatrick, stating his comments were inaccurate, did not reflect the company's views, and that he had no involvement in decisions related to California operations or rate requests.
- The wildfires in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena caused significant damage, with 29 fatalities, over 12,000 homes destroyed, and $7.6 billion in estimated losses for State Farm.
- California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara initially rejected the rate hike but is reviewing additional evidence following a February meeting with State Farm representatives.
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