News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) announced today that 11 health insurers have been approved to sell in Washington's 2025 Exchange health insurance market. The approved average rate increase of 10.7% is lower than the 11.3% average increase requested. 

Rates and plans for two additional insurers that only sell outside of the Exchange (Asuris Northwest Health and Providence Health Plan) are still pending. 

"I know this rate increase will hit hard for many people, especially at a time when other expenses are up," said Insurance Commissioner Mike…

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,…