Farmers Group, Batus Inc. and the California...

Farmers Group, Batus Inc. and the California Department of Insurance have agreed to put off hearings before the department to May 23 from May 4. The agreement also calls for Insurance Commissioner Roxani M. Gillespie to rule within two weeks after the hearings on Louisville, Ky.-based Batus’ request to take over the Los Angeles-based insurer. Farmers Group asked for the postponement because the Arizona and Oregon insurance commissions scheduled similar hearings for the beginning of May. Initially opposed by Batus, the delay means that any regulatory approval would come after Farmers’ May 20 annual meeting.