For Consumers

What we do

Our Mission

We protect consumers, the public interest and our state’s economy through fair and efficient regulation of the insurance industry. 

We’re a small agency of about 280 employees who oversee the insurance market in Washington state. 

We help you with your insurance issues by:

  • Investigating complaints about your insurance company or agent
  • Proposing laws and adopting rules when consumer protections are needed
  • Making sure companies meet their financial obligations to you
  • Educating you about your insurance rights
  • Helping you understand and navigate Medicare
  • Licensing and monitoring the people and businesses that sell insurance
  • Reviewing and approving the insurance policies companies sell 

We oversee the people and companies that sell insurance through: 

  • Ensuring companies have enough money to pay claims and follow state and federal law
  • Making sure companies and agents and brokers are licensed and in good financial standing
  • Reviewing and monitoring the policies companies sell and their behavior in the market
  • Monitoring troubled companies and preventing financial harm to policyholders
  • Reviewing the benefits companies offer and the prices they charge
  • Taking enforcement action against individuals and companies who violate insurance laws and regulations 
  • Investigating potential misconduct by the people and companies we regulate

We regulate the insurance market in Washington state by: 

  • Analyzing insurance company practices and contracts for compliance 
  • Finding and prosecuting criminal organizations and individuals engaged in insurance fraud
  • Providing regulatory oversight and guidance, keeping our insurance market healthy