California launches probe into State Farm over delays and denials in wildfire insurance claims after deadly Los Angeles fires caused billions in damage.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who recently approved an emergency rate increase for the company, called the examination one of the department's most powerful tools.

The California Department of Insurance is launching a "market conduct" exam into how State Farm General, the state's largest home insurer, is handling claims from the January fires after receiving numerous complaints from policyholders.