Kreidler issues $367,500 in fines for violations in November

12/13/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued fines in November totaling $367,500 against insurance companies, producers, brokers, and individuals who violated state insurance laws and regulations.

Insurance companies

Aetna Life Insurance Company, Hartford, Conn.; fined $50,000 (order 22-0615).

Aetna failed to include a required Balance Billing Protection Act standard message in correspondence with providers and did not provide a timely response to predetermination and prior-authorization requests.

American Family Mutual Insurance Company S.I., Madison,…

Sunnyside couple pleads guilty to insurance fraud in 2017 case

12/01/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Andrew M. Rodriguez and Marissa L. Lopez, both of Sunnyside, Wash., pleaded guilty to first degree theft in an insurance fraud case in Yakima County. 

Rodriguez, 31, and Lopez, 28, were sentenced on October 20, 2022 to 80 hours of community service and ordered to pay $17,022.41 in total restitution. The case was investigated by the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. 

In October 2017, Rodriguez filed a claim with National General Insurance Company after damage sustained to the loaner car — a Nissan Versa — he…

Renton man joins Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted

11/18/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. — John Michael St. Clair, of Renton, Wash., has been added to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted list after being charged with insurance fraud.

If you have information that may lead to his arrest, please contact your local law enforcement agency or contact Kreidler's Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

The King County Prosecutor’s Office charged St. Clair with false claims or proof and issued a warrant for his arrest, due to additional warrants and his history of failing to appear for court hearings.

CIU’s…

Kreidler issues $111,000 in fines for violations in October

11/17/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued fines in October totaling $111,000 against insurance companies, agents and brokers who violated state insurance regulations.

Insurance companies

AmGUARD Insurance Company, Wilkes Barre, Penn.; fined $30,000 (order 22-0548).

AmGUARD failed to provide timely payment to a consumer who filed a claim after their apartment building was damaged. The consumer eventually filed suit under the Insurance Fair Claims Act (IFCA) and a judge’s partial summary judgement found AmGUARD to have engaged in unfair trade practices.…