Commissioner Kreidler asks insurers to expedite the approval process for debris removal

09/27/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent a letter earlier this week asking insurance companies and adjusters working with communities impacted by the Gray and Oregon Road fires to expedite the approval process for debris removal.

Speeding up the process will help assure people impacted by the August wildfires that debris removal is covered, so their rebuilding process can begin quickly.

“I also expect insurers and adjusters to educate their insureds on how the policy impacts debris removal,” Kreidler wrote. “The better you can communicate…

Bench warrant issued for former lawyer accused of stealing client’s insurance settlement

09/21/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Bothell man has been added to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Insurance Fraud Most Wanted list.

Clinton Jonathan ‘Sonny’ Behrends failed to appear at his arraignment after being charged by the King County Prosecutor’s Office with two counts of first-degree identity theft and one count of first-degree theft. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest on August 24.

On July 2, 2021, the Insurance Commissioner’s Criminal Investigations Unit received a phone call from one of Behrends’ former clients. The client stated that he was injured in a serious…

Kreidler thanks insurance professionals for their work after Gray, Oregon Road fires

09/14/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent out a letter Thursday thanking insurance professionals for their work helping consumers after the Gray and Oregon Road fires in Eastern Washington in late August.

“I appreciate the extra effort many insurers are extending to put trained adjusters onsite to begin the claim process,” Kreidler said in the letter, adding that his office has registered more than 50 emergency adjusters and expedited dozens of independent adjuster licenses to support adjusters already in the field.

“Thank you,” he added, to the local…

Average rate increase of 8.9% approved for 2024 individual health insurance market

09/13/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Fourteen health insurers have been approved to sell in Washington's 2024 individual health insurance market.  Insurers requested an average increase of 9.11% but 8.94% was approved. How much premium someone pays will depend on the plan they select, the number of people covered, their age, whether or not they smoke and where they live. 

"I'm relieved to see that our competitive health insurance market is continuing and that people in every county will have choices," said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. "But I'm deeply concerned at what these…