News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Jessica Berman has been added to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted after she failed to appear in Yakima County Superior Court to face five felony charges related to a reported auto theft. A bench warrant for her arrest was issued on Feb. 14 and bail is set for $10,000. 

If you have information that may lead to their arrest, please contact your local law enforcement agency or contact Kreidler's Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

Berman was charged by Yakima County Prosecutor’s…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A new analysis from Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) shows health care costs for the commercial health insurance market increased 13% between 2016 and 2019 at the same time the consumer price index rose 7%. 

“For years, we’ve seen the cost of health care grow, especially with advances in technology and prescription drugs,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “These increases have impacted how much people pay for their health insurance. We need to get a handle on what’s driving costs if we want to address the issue and help lower health…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued the following statement on the death of his predecessor, Deborah Senn. 

"I was deeply sorry to learn of Deborah Senn's passing. Her dedication to the plight of the unheard consumer transformed the Office of the Insurance Commissioner into the "people's office." She embraced her role and used it to improve people's lives and give voice to the unheard. 

Her actions improved health insurance coverage and access, protected the innocent…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Sarah Jo Monty, of Kennewick, Wash., pleaded guilty in Benton County Superior Court to one charge of filing a false insurance claim and two counts of attempted second-degree theft in connection with an insurance claim. Monty was sentenced to serve 15 days in jail and to pay $800 in court fines.

Benton County Prosecutor’s Office charged Monty after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).  

According to the investigation, Monty filed a claim with Safeco Insurance in December 2018, stating that she…