The threat of hefty fines, sent Friday to State Farm, escalates an increasingly bitter fight between the department and the Bloomington, Ill., insurance giant. “State Farm believes it is in full compliance with the California Department of Insurance rate making process,” Sarkissian said in an emailed statement. State Farm should charge customers the lower rate approved by the department, not what’s printed on a policy renewal, Levy said. State Farm in late 2014 asked the department for permission to raise its homeowners, renters and condo insurance rates an average of 6.9%. State Farm is fighting Jones’ order in state court in San Diego, arguing first that the state erroneously determined its rates were too high.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 17, 2017 00:21 UTC