Insurance fraud negatively impacts all insurance consumers by increasing insurance premium costs. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that 10 percent of all insurance claims are fraudulent, adding $200 to $300 a year in higher premiums for the average household. It is costing Americans billions of dollars each year.

Washington is serious about combating insurance fraud and helping to keep insurance coverage affordable. In 2006 the Washington Legislature created the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) within the of Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). The criminal investigators assigned to this unit are certified law enforcement peace officers with authority to conduct criminal investigations, arrest fraud suspects, and submit cases to prosecutors for criminal charges.

The OIC Special Investigations Unit aggressively investigates suspected insurance fraud and submits those cases for prosecution. Through the OIC's collaborative efforts with law enforcement and other governmental agencies, the insurance industry and prosecutors, we work to:

Criminally prosecute those who commit insurance fraud
Deter future criminal insurance fraud
Obtain restitution for victim insurance companies

Email us:

contactSIU@oic.wa.gov

Call us:

360-586-2566

Send us a letter:

Special Investigations Unit

PO Box 40261

Olympia, WA 98504-0261

View the Commissioners Report to the Legislature June 2010

Request a speaking engagement with SIU Director Mitch Barker mitchb@oic.wa.gov

Please include the organization name, your name and title, phone number, email address, organization address, and website address.

Presentations are designed for civic groups, chambers of commerce, and members of the insurance industry.

The SIU also provides insurance fraud presentations to law enforcement, fire investigators, and other governmental agencies.

Report an insurance agent or broker

Do you feel cheated or that an agent or broker has taken advantage of you? Let us know so we can investigate.

Request an investigation: Online Form

Call us: 360-725-7060

Email us: InvestigationRequest@oic.wa.gov

Insurers reporting suspected insurance fraud

Industry Reporting Insurance Fraud

Report Medicare fraud

If you've been billed for services or equipment you never received, you should contact the provider first. If you suspect that the billing is fraudulent, report it right away. For more information, visit the SHIBA section of our site.

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