State Farm, the largest insurance company in California, has asked state regulators to immediately approve a steep rate hike for homeowners to prevent a “dire situation” for its customers and the broader insurance market in the wake of the disastrous Los Angeles wildfires.

California's largest private insurer, State Farm, on Monday urged the state's insurance regulator to approve an emergency hike in rates to help offset the hefty payouts the company is making after devastating wildfires in Los Angeles last month.