Attempt to cover uninsured car after wreck results in guilty plea

02/07/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Byron Mounce, of Puyallup, pleaded guilty in Pierce County Superior Court to one count of third-degree theft after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). Mounce was sentenced to serve 80 hours of community service and probation, to pay a $500 crime victim compensation penalty and restitution to be determined at a future court date.  

According to the investigation, Mounce bought an Esurance policy for his 2000 Mercedes sedan on Oct. 31, 2018. The same day, he filed a claim for more than $3,500 in damage…

Kreidler fines three Washington health insurers for law violations

02/06/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined three Washington state health insurers for violating insurance laws and rules. 

Kreidler fined UnitedHealthcare of Washington, Inc., $5,000 for not using its correct, legal name 297 times in 2018 on checks and on correspondence with policyholders and medical providers. It used three incorrect names: UnitedHealthcare of Washington, UnitedHealthCare Insurance Company and UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc. State law requires insurers to use their legal name as a transparency measure for consumers …

Phantom auto theft claim results in charges against Eastern Washington man

02/04/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Dale Maki, of Usk, Wash., was charged in Pend Oreille Superior Court with one count of false claims or proof in connection with an auto claim after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

According to the investigation, Maki bought a 2000 GMC Sierra pickup truck for $3,000 from a private party on Aug. 13, 2018. He added it to his Farmers Insurance auto policy that day. Two days later, he filed a claim for $3,338 in damage to the passenger side rear wheel panel and bumper. He stated the truck was stolen from his…

Yakima woman pleads guilty after filing 27 fake injury claims worth $5,175

01/31/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Rebecca Tabares Garza, of Yakima, pleaded guilty in Yakima County Superior Court to first-degree theft and filing a false insurance claim for 27 injuries she said occurred to herself and her family. Garza was sentenced to two months of home detention, six months of community custody and was ordered to pay $5,175 in restitution and $600 in court fees.

Officials charged Garza with three counts each of filing a false insurance claim, forgery and second-degree theft in March 2019 after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations…