News Archive

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…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler today announced that Jim Odiorne will return to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to serve as the new chief deputy commissioner. 

Odiorne previously served as Kreidler’s Chief Deputy from 2013 to 2018 before he retired. Prior to that he was Deputy Commissioner for Company Supervision from 1996 to 2013. He starts his new role on July 29.

“Jim is widely regarded by the insurance industry and OIC employees as an expert regulator and brings a breadth of experience and knowledge of the issues we face today”…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined Unite Health Share Ministries $300,000 on June 28, 2024 and ordered it to stop selling insurance in Washington state.  

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner opened an investigation after receiving a complaint that Unite Health had paid only $5,000 on a consumer’s medical claim. The consumer was left with almost $200,000 in medical bills.

“Protecting the people of Washington from predatory organizations is one of my office’s top priorities,” Kreidler said. “These companies promise coverage…