New report on utilities’ liability market reveals increased costs, coverage exclusions

01/19/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recently delivered a report to the state Legislature and Governor on the liability insurance market for electric utilities in Washington. 

The OIC worked with the Utilities and Transportation Commissioner and Department of Commerce to survey 36 utilities on the availability and affordability of liability coverage. Most did not report any challenges in obtaining coverage over the past five years. This type of insurance provides a utility with liability coverage if it causes an injury or damage to someone’s…

Kreidler issues $55,500 in fines for violations in December

01/18/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued fines in December totaling $55,500 against insurance companies, producers, brokers, and individuals who violated state insurance laws and regulations.

Insurance companies

LifeWise Assurance Company, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.; fined $25,000 (order 22-0672).

LifeWise didn’t provide the required transparency tools for student insurance plans, failed to explain the internal review officer will accept additional information for up to five business days, and failed to process two appeals within the required 30-day…

Kreidler releases independent assessment of agency culture

01/12/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — This fall, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler contracted with Communications Resources NW to assess the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s (OIC) workplace culture. He felt an independent evaluation of the OIC’s culture, and the agency leadership’s role in developing the culture, was important after a tumultuous year. 

The assessment also considered the OIC’s results from the state Employee Engagement Survey, conducted annually by the Office of Financial Management. The final report was not intended to be a report card, but to help the agency understand…

Two Washington men plead guilty to insurance fraud

12/28/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Two Washington state men pled guilty in separate insurance fraud cases this fall after investigations by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

Joseph David Calvert, of Selah, pled guilty to two counts of false claims or proof and one count of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant. In November of 2022, he was ordered to serve 120 days of electronic home detention and to pay $600 in court fees.

Tory McMillen, of Friday Harbor, pled guilty to one count of false claims or proof and one count of theft in…