California's top insurance regulator on Friday said he would approve an emergency request by State Farm to raise premiums 22% on home insurance for about a million customers if the insurance giant could justify the hike at a public hearing.

Haden Kirkpatrick, a top State Farm executive, said he was fired after being recorded in an undercover video making disparaging remarks about Pacific Palisades homeowners.

State Farm executives said at the meeting that it needs a 22% emergency rate hike in California to cover more than $7.9 billion in losses. Lara initially rejected the request, saying in a Friday, Feb. 14, letter to State Farm executives that he needed more information before he can approve an increase.