California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has rejected State Farm General’s request for a rate hike averaging 22% due to the company’s “dire” financial situation after the deadly and destructive L.

After massive payouts from L.A. fires, California's largest insurer faces tough questions about its 22% premium increase request

In a letter to the insurer, Lara said under Proposition 103, State Farm has the burden of explaining why the rate hike is needed now — which he says the company has “not met.”