Kreidler names Mark Dietzler as new chief deputy commissioner

10/20/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler today announced that Mark Dietzler will serve as the agency’s new chief deputy commissioner. 

Dietzler joins the office after serving as a managing attorney at Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. While there, he was responsible for an active caseload of 1,250 litigated files and a $6 million budget. He also brings significant jury trial and management experience to the agency.

“Mark’s knowledge will serve the consumers in our state well,” Kreidler said. “Mark also brings strong leadership experience that will be an asset in…

Kreidler pursues January date for rule to ban use of credit scores

10/19/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will seek an effective date of Jan. 1, 2022, for a permanent rule to temporarily ban the use of credit scores for insurance policies for three years. 

A public hearing on the proposed rule is scheduled for Nov. 23. Kreidler rejected a recent call from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies to abandon his commitment.

The lobbying groups made the request after a Thurston County Superior Court on Oct. 8 issued a narrow ruling against an emergency…

‘Lost’ Rolex watch turns up at jewelry shop, owner faces fraud charge

10/15/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Christopher Michalke, of Seattle, was charged in King County Superior Court with one felony count of filing a false insurance claim for a $14,753 Rolex watch after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). Michalke is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 25 for a hearing.

According to the investigation, Michalke bought a “valuable personal property” insurance rider from USAA in August 2019 to cover his Rolex Submariner watch that he bought in 2018 for $14,753. On…

Former insurance agent pleads guilty to $2.8 million theft

10/13/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Edward J. Chadwick, of Yakima, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft in Spokane County Superior Court involving 24 insurance premium finance loans. Chadwick was ordered by the court to report to the Spokane County Jail by Oct. 1 to serve 30 days of confinement. He must also pay $600 in court fees and $847,795 in restitution to a Spokane premium finance company.

Charges against Chadwick were brought after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).  

Chadwick was an insurance producer and owned an…