All Insurance

Life Insurance: Choosing A Policy To Your Needs

2014-11-09T07:05:00.001-08:00

Lots of people who still do not understand the importance of life insurance. So it was just an agency that just using their money only. Many frequently asked questions in general. The first question you should ask yourself about life insurance is whether or not you really need it. The purpose of life insurance is to provide a source of income, in case of your death, for your spouse,

Can OIC recommend insurance agents to consumers?

2014-11-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

Consumers call our hotline daily to ask us questions about insurance. Sometimes, consumers ask us to refer them to insurance sales agents who might be able to sell them the type of coverage they are looking for. While we do regulate the insurance industry, we do not refer consumers to specific agents or brokers. However, we encourage consumers to check the licensing status of agents,

Online services are running slowly due to network issue

2014-11-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

OIC's online services are running very slowly at this time due to network issues at the state level. Users may experience difficulty trying to access our online services while technicians work to resolve the issue. Thank you for your patience.

Seattle area warned about landslide risk

2014-10-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

Today, the Seattle Times published a warning about the risk of landslides due to recent heavy rains: Heavy rains bring increased risk of landslides, SPU warns. "With rain late Thursday and Friday morning, Seattle exceeded the official U.S. Geological Survey’s landslide threshold." In addition to taking the steps outlined in the article, homeowners should take a look at the insurance policies.

Road trip! Know the laws where you drive

2014-10-29T04:13:00.000-07:00

Before you head out on your road trip, consider your itinerary. Traffic laws and enforcement in states that you visit may differ from the state where you live. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a website with a map detailing state distracted driving laws. Click on the state to see restrictions on cell phone and texting use by age, in school zones or construction zones.

Insurance tips for consumers affected by Longview tornado

2014-10-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, people in the Longview area experienced a tornado, a rare occurrence in Washington state. Luckily, there are no reports of injuries but there was some property damage to buildings and vehicles, according to news reports. Read more about the tornado in The Columbian newspaper. Photo courtesy KING5.com Standard homeowner and commercial property policies typically cover damage

Insurers largely unprepared for climate change

2014-10-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

A report issued today found only 9 percent of insurers are well prepared to face the risks posed by a changing climate. Only two of those insurers are headquartered in the United States. Ceres today released its 2014 climate preparedness scorecard, which ranks the nation's 330 largest insurance companies on what they are saying and doing to respond to escalating climate risks.

Consumer alert: Trade marketers banned from selling health care products

2014-10-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

The federal government this week banned a trade association from selling health care-related products to consumers. The OIC issued a cease-and-desist order against the same group in 2012 for selling discount health plans in Washington without a license. The Federal Trade Commission banned the Independent Association of Businesses (IAB) from selling any products that could be construed as health

Change your Medicare enrollment now through Dec. 7

2014-10-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Medicare’s open enrollment period for prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage plans starts today and runs through Dec. 7. Our Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) provide help in your community. SHIBA offers free help to people with Medicare questions, including what changes are happening this year. “Our unbiased volunteers in your community can answer

Web-based applications, email are down

2014-10-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

A state-level technical glitch is causing OIC's web-based applications to be down for the time being. OIC staff email and Internet access are also down, so please be patient if you are trying to reach us electronically. We do not yet have an estimate of when our services will be restored and we appreciate our users' patience.

Even if you think you know what your policy covers, read it again

2014-10-13T15:03:00.000-07:00

We've said this before and we will keep saying this ... you must read your policies, the sooner after you purchase them the better. We receive calls daily from frustrated and often distraught consumers because they are having a problem with their coverage, premiums or outcomes of their claims because they thought they had a certain type of coverage that they did not actually have. We

Why "Spending 15 Minutes or Less" Can Hurt You

2014-10-08T03:46:00.000-07:00

Buying insurance is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Who you buy it from can be the difference between devastation and recovery when disaster strikes.We are grateful that you chose to buy through an independent insurance agent.Today’s TV and media ads bombard you with the message that purchasing insurance is as simple as grocery shopping. In truth, it’s not. You can’t pick a

OIC orders Fife RV & Auto Center to stop selling warranties

2014-10-06T12:02:00.000-07:00

OIC has ordered Fife RV & Auto Center to stop selling vehicle protection product warranties effective immediately. The company has been selling a warranty to repair any surface damage on the interior and exterior of vehicles. Since 2012, the company has sold 236 warranties to Washington consumers without being authorized to do so. Warranties are considered insurance

Consumers ask, why is my repair taking so long?

2014-10-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Our consumer advocates receive many calls from consumers wondering why repair work gets delayed, whether it be an auto repair or home repair that is being covered by insurance. Generally, if you are using the insurer’s recommended auto repair shop, building contractor, cleaning service, or any other vendor, you should expect the insurer will monitor the progress of the repair and and that

Scientists predict another St. Helens eruption; make sure you are covered!

2014-10-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

Mount St. Helens, Washington’s most active volcano, is showing signs of reawakening, according to scientists, who say it’s only a matter of time until it erupts again. An eruption started 10 years ago that lasted until 2008, outlined in The Columbian newspaper. The lava dome has since rebuilt and the U.S. Geological Survey is seeing signs of magma activity under the volcano, according to the

Seattle insurance producer loses license

2014-09-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

The OIC revoked the license of Christopher S. Gloria, 39, of Seattle effect Sept. 26. Gloria was licensed as a Washington state insurance producer and was initially licensed in July 2012. We revoked his license for misrepresentation and fraudulent activity in his dealings with a Washington couple. In March 2013, the couple met with Gloria to find out if they could find equal or better whole

Visit OIC at the Small Business Fair in Renton this Saturday

2014-09-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner will be available to answer your insurance questions at the Washington Small Business Fair this Saturday in Renton. We can answer your questions about: How to get health insurance, either as an individual or as a small business.Benefits that health plans must cover under the Affordable Care Act. Options for small businesses that want to

Insurance Information Institute: Only 37 percent of renters have insurance

2014-09-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

The number of people who rent a place to live instead of buying continues to rise, especially in high-cost urban areas. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), only 37 percent of renters have insurance on their belongings, compared to 95 percent of homeowners who have a homeowners policy. Read the full report.“Renters insurance provides a very important financial safety net when

Be in the know with electronic updates from OIC

2014-09-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner recently launched a new digital communication service to help consumers, media, partners and insurance professionals stay informed about Washington insurance news. Features include:Electronic notification: Receive alerts by email or text message—no password is required.Subscription management: Manage your profile online,

Washington businesses refunded more than $1 million in overcharged commercial insurance rates

2014-09-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

This month, Zurich North America insurance group completed reimbursing Washington businesses $1.02 million and more than $123,000 in interest on 568 commercial auto policies that had been overcharged.In October 2013, the OIC took action against a handful of Zurich North America’s companies for overcharging Washington businesses for commercial auto insurance policies. The companies are American

OIC orders unlicensed golf tournament insurer to stop doing business in Washington

2014-09-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the OIC ordered L & B Enterprises Inc., also called Tournament Pros, to immediately stop selling insurance in Washington state. Tournament Pros, based out of Maryland, has sold at least 18 insurance contracts for golf tournaments in our state since 2012 without being authorized to do so. Golf tournaments often buy insurance to pay hole-in-one prizes or prizes for chipping or

OIC is looking for health care network, consumer advocacy professionals

2014-09-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

OIC opened two new jobs this week, both working in our Tumwater headquarters. The first job will help us ensure that health insurance plans have adequate networks of medical providers across the state. The position is a Functional Program Analyst 3 in our Rates and Forms Division. The person in this position will review network access reports and provider agreements that health insurance

How to Avoid Contractor Fraud

2014-09-11T04:52:00.000-07:00

Starting a house project? Read these helpful tips before you hire a contractor. -Get a list of reputable contractors from your insurance company, the Better Business Bureau or a specialized consumer organization like Angie’s List. &

Can my age be used as a rating factor in auto insurance?

2014-09-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

While it may sound like age discrimination, the answer to this question is "yes." A person’s age can be and usually is used as a factor in determining auto insurance rates. Age is connected to risk and is linked to accident frequency, accident severity, and claim costs, so insurers are allowed to factor it into rates. There are other rating factors typically used by

Seattle Children’s Hospital officially withdraws legal complaint

2014-09-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

Seattle Children’s Hospital officially withdrew its legal challenge with the OIC on Sept. 5 after it reached an agreement with Regence Blue Shield to include some services in Regence’s health provider networks for 2014 plans. Seattle Children’s Hospital initiated legal proceedings about a year ago when Premera, Regence Blue Shield and Coordinated Care decided against including the hospital and