Three people charged with insurance fraud-related crimes in Yakima County

02/04/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Three people were charged in Yakima County Superior Court with multiple crimes after two investigations by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

In the first case, Joseph Calvert was charged with two counts of false claims or proof, two counts of attempted first degree theft, and one count of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant. The charges were made in connection with a home insurance claim in April 2020 and an auto insurance claim in May 2020.

According to the investigation, Calvert filed claims…

Kreidler adopts rule temporarily banning credit scoring, proposes rule to increase transparency

02/01/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has adopted his rule temporarily banning insurers from using credit information to set auto, homeowner and renter insurance, effective March 4. In addition, he’s proposing a new transparency rule requiring insurers to provide policyholders with a written explanation for any premium change.  

“I’m taking this action against insurers’ use of credit scoring in response to the economic harm many people have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic—harm that has significantly impacted people who are already financially…

Kreidler extends emergency order on coronavirus testing and surprise billing to Feb. 27

01/25/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended two emergency orders. His order requiring health insurers to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and his order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 are both extended until Feb. 27.

Kreidler's order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans and short-term, limited-duration medical plans. The order on…

Spokane man added to Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted

01/21/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Michael T. Kerwin, of Spokane, has been added to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted after he failed to appear in Spokane County Superior Court to face two felony charges related to an auto insurance fraud investigation. A bench warrant for his arrest was issued on Dec. 22, 2021, and bail is set for $5,000.    

Kerwin was charged in November 2021 with filing a false insurance claim and first-degree theft after an investigation by Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). According…