Overview
- State Farm has formally requested an 11% homeowners insurance rate increase to restore its original 30% hike proposal following last week's approval of a 17% interim increase.
- The company is also seeking significant rate hikes for condos (36%) and renters (52%) after already-approved increases of 15% for both groups take effect in June.
- California's Department of Insurance has scheduled a public hearing in October to review State Farm's requests and determine whether the additional hikes are justified.
- State Farm states that the increases are necessary to address financial strain from $7.6 billion in wildfire claims, though most of these losses are covered by its parent company through reinsurance.
- Consumer advocates and regulators emphasize the need for transparency and data to ensure rate hikes are justified, with potential refunds if rates are deemed excessive.