What Washington’s new pet insurance bill means for you

05/22/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee signed Washington state’s new pet insurance bill, Senate Bill 5319, into law in April. 

What’s it mean for you? More protection and less confusion.

The bill, based on model legislation from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, adds protections for pet owners, requires insurers to disclose information about coverage, and establishes training and licensing requirements for sellers.

Definitions

SB 5319 establishes uniform definitions for terms frequently used in pet insurance policies. The defined terms include…

Kreidler fines Airbnb $20,000 for acting as an unauthorized insurer

05/16/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fined Airbnb $20,000 for acting as an unauthorized insurer in Washington state. Kreidler also ordered the company to obtain a surplus lines insurance policy to continue offering its Host Damage Protection (HDP) program in Washington.

Airbnb must pay the fine by June 5, 2023, and secure a surplus lines policy through a broker licensed in Washington by August 5, 2023.

Kreidler’s office opened its investigation based on the HDP program, which advertised $1 million in coverage for damages caused by a guest. It was…

Learn what’s covered after the COVID-19 emergency ends

05/10/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The COVID-19 public health emergency ends today. This change may impact your health insurance coverage and what COVID-19-related services you need to pay for.

Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are considered a preventive service under the Affordable Care Act and are free, as long as supplies last. However, you must see a health provider or pharmacy in your health plan’s network. 

COVID-19 tests

Most health insurers are no longer providing free at-home COVID-19 tests, but you can still get four free tests from the federal government. 

You can…

Kreidler announces he will not seek re-election

05/01/2023

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent an email to agency staff today confirming that he will not seek re-election. 

“Serving alongside you as Insurance Commissioner for Washington state has been, and continues to be, the greatest honor of my life,” said Kreidler. “I’ve always said it was the best job I’ve ever had, and I still feel that way today.

“The list of issues we’ve tackled could go on and on, but at the end of the day, I think of the individual people we help—the thousands of families we’ve advocated for, day after day.…