The California Department of Insurance on Friday announced it had provisionally approved an emergency request by State Farm, the state's largest single insurer, to raise its home insurance premiums by 22 percent provided the company can "justify it with data in a public hearing" next month.

On Friday, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara signaled his willingness to allow State Farm to raise homeowner rates by an average of 22%. He also granted the state’s largest insurer initial approval to increase premiums by 15% for renters and condo owners and 33% for rental owners.

California’s top insurance regulator says he will approve an emergency request from State Farm to raise home insurance rates for roughly a million customers if the company can justify the hike at a public hearing.

The approval comes months after devastating wildfires, and will add an average $600 a year to homeowners’ bills.

California’s insurance commissioner said his approval was conditioned on State Farm justifying its need for the increase by bringing data to a public hearing on April 8.

Consumer Watchdog, a consumer advocacy group that opposed State Farm’s request, said the 22% increase could equate to an additional $600 annually for homeowners.

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.