Kreidler urges insurers to consider refunds of auto premiums to Washington drivers

04/07/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler today urged all insurers doing business in Washington to consider refunding auto insurance premiums to their policyholders since most are driving less.

Kreidler said people are driving less in Washington because of Gov. Jay Inslee's Stay Home, Stay Healthy order issued in late March and extended statewide through May 4. The governor said recently that traffic on the state’s roads and highways is down as much as 50% over the last month.

Such a decline reduces the risk of accidents, associated injuries and…

Kreidler issues emergency order on dental insurance and clarifying grace period payments

04/03/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued an emergency order (PDF, 229KB) requiring a grace period of at least 60 days for all stand-alone dental plans certified by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange as qualified dental plans.

His order also clarifies that during grace period for dental plans and the earlier order he issued for many health insurance plans, the dental and health insurers are responsible for paying claims for all covered services during the first 30 days. 

This order is in effect until May 23, 2020.

“These are…

Kreidler’s office on alert for insurance scams during pandemic

04/03/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is warning people in Washington state to beware of coronavirus scams and attempts to defraud them. 

Kreidler’s office is working with state and federal agencies to warn people about scam attempts and is keeping a close eye on the insurance landscape. 

“Our investigators are working just as hard, if not harder, on monitoring insurance fraud and the industry,” Kreidler said. 

Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU), which investigates criminal insurance fraud, got a boost in the…

Kreidler orders OneShare Health LLC to stop selling illegal insurance in Washington state

04/01/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler ordered OneShare Health LLC to stop selling insurance illegally in Washington state, effective immediately. 

OneShare Health markets itself as a health care sharing ministry but fails to meet the legal definition under state law. It has nearly 1,100 members in the state who paid $1.2 million in premiums. Four members complained to Kreidler’s office about unpaid claims and attempts to cancel coverage. 

“This is another sham health care sharing ministry that is preying on people who think they are buying health…