State Farm Exec Fired Over Rate Hike Video

Haden Kirkpatrick, a State Farm executive, was fired after being caught on an undercover video discussing a controversial rate hike following the Southern California wildfires. During what he thought was a Tinder date, Kirkpatrick revealed that State Farm's California subsidiary had filed for an emergency 22% rate increase due to a significant decline in its surplus, exacerbated by the wildfires. He also criticized the construction of homes in fire-prone areas like the Pacific Palisades, suggesting they were built there for residents' egos. The video, published by James O'Keefe's media company, showed Kirkpatrick describing a negotiation tactic with the Department of Insurance, involving threats of policy cancellations if the rate hike was not granted. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who had initially rejected the rate hike, is now demanding a full explanation from State Farm following the video's release. State Farm confirmed Kirkpatrick's firing and stated that his comments do not represent the company's views.