News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) issued a new report today (PDF, 3.20MB) studying five potential policy options that could make health care more affordable in Washington state. The report, delivered to the state Legislature, uses pricing data to provide an economic and actuarial analysis of each policy option that estimates savings for consumers, organizations and the state’s economy.

“We’ve made great strides in getting people access to health coverage in Washington state, but it’s simply not enough,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Too…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Three suspects pleaded guilty to insurance fraud in May and June after investigations by Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit. 

The fraud cases included a suspect from Qatar who had been on Kreidler’s Insurance Fraud Most Wanted list since 2013, a home burglary claim with falsified items, and an auto policy purchased after a collision.

Ahmed Mesbah — of Qatar and formerly from Seattle — pled guilty in King County Superior Court to…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a cease-and-desist order and fined LifeTime Home Warranty LLC $200,000 for acting as an unauthorized insurer, refusing claims without just cause and failing to respond to the insurance commissioner’s inquiries. 

The order, filed July 25, 2024, bars LifeTime from transacting insurance business or acting as a service contract provider in Washington state. 

LifeTime sold home appliance service contracts in Washington without first registering with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner,…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler urges homeowners to make sure they have all the necessary information before signing a post-claim assignment of benefits agreement. 

An assignment of benefits (AOB) is a contract between a homeowner and a third party that transfers the insurance claim rights and/or benefits in an insurance policy to the third party. This allows the third party — typically a contractor, plumber, roofer or other construction professional — to file the claim, make decisions about home repairs and collect insurance payments…