News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Three people were charged with insurance fraud in Washington state after investigations by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU). 

Recently, Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office charged Jennifer Pond, of Spokane Valley, with presenting a false claim for insurance purposes after an investigation by CIU. In February 2020, Pond was involved in a two-vehicle collision in Spokane, Washington. Her insurance policy had lapsed, and Pond called Progressive to reinstate her policy. When she spoke to the claims representative, she told…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has shared a draft rule that requires all property and casualty insurers selling personal lines of insurance — including auto, homeowners and renters insurance — to give their policyholders a simple breakdown of the reasons behind any future premium change.  

Consumers often contact Kreidler’s office when they receive a premium increase and their insurer hasn't given them a clear explanation why. In many cases, their insurer told them the inability to use credit scoring was driving up their premium. But when…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Fourteen health insurers filed an average requested rate increase of 7.16% for Washington's individual health insurance market. The plans and proposed rates are currently under review and final decisions will be made this fall.  

"More than two hundred thousand people in Washington state get their health coverage through our individual market,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “It’s critical they have choices for meaningful and affordable coverage. Fourteen insurers have filed plans for next year, and while the choices vary depending on where you live,…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Lesoo Vaafuti of Pacific, WA and Cindy Castaneda of Othello, WA were charged with insurance fraud in King County Superior Court after investigations completed by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU). 

The King County Prosecutor’s Office recently charged Lesoo Vaafuti with one count of filing a fraudulent insurance claim. According to CIU’s investigation, Vaafuti was involved in a single car collision back in March 2021. Vaafuti purchased a policy with Progressive on March 25, 2021, and then filed a claim with Progressive ten…