Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts

Wellness tools for Apple Health (Medicaid) subscribers

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Bellevue-based Limeade®, working with the state Health Care Authority (HCA), announced Friday, April 24, that free online wellness tools are being extended to more than 200,000 Apple Health (Medicaid) clients through 2020. 

This is another resource for Apple Health clients during the COVID-19 pandemic and includes tools to address emotional, physical and financial well-being. 

This is the first time the Limeade Well-Being solution has been made available to Apple Health clients. More than 1.8 million Washington residents are enrolled in Apple Health; HCA and Limeade selected the clients who would be eligible for this free service based on geography and if they have an active email address on file. Eligible individuals are Apple Health clients ages 19 to 64 and pregnant women in King, Snohomish, Pierce and Spokane counties.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is causing many Washingtonians to experience new levels of stress or anxiety, and is also causing many of us to pay more attention to our physical health,” Governor Jay Inslee said. 
“We’ve offered this tool from Limeade to our state employees for the past several years to help keep our state employees healthy, and now I hope these tools can help more people—mentally and physically—during this difficult time.”

Making this tool to Apple Health clients is one of several strategies HCA is employing to ensure access to health care services—including behavioral health care—during the pandemic.

HCA has purchased and distributed hundreds of Zoom Telehealth licenses to providers to support continuity of care through virtual appointments, and is distributing laptops and cell phones to key providers and clients to facilitate care.

In addition, HCA last week announced changes to Apple Health managed care to ensure provider sustainability and client access to care during and beyond the pandemic.



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Watch out for Coronavirus scams

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Watch out for scams! 


Unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of this uncertain and stressful time to scam vulnerable citizens. 

Report scams and price gouging HERE with the Attorney General's Office

Medicare Scams

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Medicare enrollees need to stay vigilant against possible scams, including perpetrators emailing or calling seniors and offering coronavirus vaccines.

“Currently, there’s no FDA-approved coronavirus vaccine,” said Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Beware of anyone who tries to scare you into giving up your Medicare number or bank account information. If you get one of these calls or emails, hang up or delete the email.”

Kreidler’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program is also Washington state's Senior Medicare Patrol project financed through a federal grant. SHIBA staff and volunteers help people prevent, detect and report Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse.

If people on Medicare have questions, concerns or complaints about potential fraud and abuse, they can contact SHIBA online or call 1-800-562-6900 and ask to speak with SHIBA.



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Some auto insurance companies giving refunds - in spite of recent accidents...

Sunday, April 19, 2020

So this is what happened right after Kreidler called for auto insurance
premium rebates. Note: when fire or police say that lanes are
blocked they really mean it
Photo courtesy Shoreline Police


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

During Gov. Jay Inslee's Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, issued in late March and extended statewide through May 4, traffic on the state’s roads and highways is down as much as 50%.

Companies that have announced refunds or temporary discounts to policyholders:

  • Allstate.
  • American Family Insurance.
  • Liberty Mutual.
  • USAA.
  • Farmers.
  • GEICO.
  • Mapfre.
  • Progressive.
  • State Farm.


My auto insurance is through Safeco. They notified me that I would get a 15% refund on my premiums.

If you haven't heard from your auto insurer or aren't sure if you get a refund or discount, Kreidler suggests that you contact your insurer.

Driver crawled out and ran from the scene
but was captured by deputies
Photo courtesy Shoreline Police


It's ironic that as soon as this announcement was made, my Twitter feed lit up with notices from Shoreline Fire and Police that they were responding to auto accidents.

04/07/20, Shoreline Police responded to a two-vehicle collision at N 155 St/Aurora Ave N. A vehicle crashed into another car and the suspect driver ran from the scene but was located and arrested by officers. Only minor injuries to the victim of the other vehicle.

April 7 - rollover collision on Aurora at 155th - causing driver crawled out and ran

Only minor injuries to driver of car that was hit on Apr 7
Photo courtesy Shoreline Police


April 7 - two vehicle collision on NE 205th between 1st and 5th NE (minor but blocked lanes)
April 8 - low speed vehicle vs pedestrian at Aurora Village Transit Center.

There were a couple of incidents worth noting March 16-19

Mar 16 - two vehicle collision at 175th and Densmore - one person taken to hospital by aid car
Mar 19 - vehicle vs pedestrian at northbound 185th and Aurora - a reader asked about all the sirens - pedestrian refused treatment

Hope the companies processed the refunds before the actuaries got onto these.

--Diane Hettrick



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COVID-19 and insurance

Monday, April 13, 2020

Insurance Commissioner
Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a second emergency order (PDF, 282KB) on March 24, 2020 directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Editor's Note: this does not apply to self-funded insurance plans which are owned by employers, although they often follow the state's lead. Check with your employer. You cannot tell from your insurance card or any materials you may have been given about your medical insurance.

His order is in effect for 60 days from March 24, 2020 and requires health insurers to:

  • Expand coverage to additional methods (www.hhs.gov) for providing telehealth including telephone and video chat tools such as FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangout video, Skype and GoToMeeting.
  • Cover all medically-necessary diagnostic testing for flu and certain other viral respiratory illnesses billed during a provider visit for COVID-19 with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.
  • Treat drive-up testing sites for COVID-19 as provider visit with no copay, coinsurance or deductible.


To help free up hospital beds, Kreidler is directing health insurers to waive or expedite prior authorization requirements for home health care or long-term care facility services. This will speed up patient discharges for those who are ready to leave.

People who receive a subsidy through Washington’s Health Benefit Exchange have a 90-day grace period for paying premium under the Affordable Care Act.

Kreidler’s order creates a minimum 60-day premium grace period for unsubsidized enrollees in exchange individual health plans and for people enrolled in individual health plans sold outside of the exchange or in small and large employer health plans.

Insurers may choose to extend the grace period beyond 60 days, but if they do so the extension must apply to all enrollees.

“These are critical times for all Washingtonians and we need to provide safe and flexible access to care,” Kreidler said. "I want people to know we’re watching out for them and are all working together to make sure insurance coverage is one thing they don’t need to worry about.”

Learn about coronavirus and insurance



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Enrollment period extended for medical insurance

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Access to affordable health care has never been more important. Many Washingtonians may lose their employer-based health plans.
In response to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in Washington state, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) today announced it is extending the current special enrollment period to May 8 for individuals who are uninsured.
WA Healthplanfinder can help anyone without insurance get covered. Enrollment is open through May 8th. 

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Seattle Times: Scams related to Medicare and the virus

Sunday, March 29, 2020

From The Seattle Times

Sadly, scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis to ramp up identity theft and Medicare fraud schemes. The Associated Press reported that scammers were using telemarketing, social media, email and door-to-door visits to market phony tests for the coronavirus and “Senior Care Packages” with hand sanitizer, or even touting nonexistent vaccines.

The government cautions that you should give your Medicare number only to participating Medicare pharmacists, doctors or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf. 

The agency will not call you to ask for your Medicare number or to check on it.

Medicare’s website offers tips for protecting yourself against fraud; the Federal Trade Commission’s website has a page of tips on COVID-19 and scams.

The national network of federally funded Senior Medicare Patrols also can help.

In addition:
The article Medicare is updating coverage to help in the coronavirus crisis is very helpful in explaining the most recent actions for Medicare insurance.



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Insurance company pays $1.5 million fine to Washington state for violations of laws and rules

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Health Plan Intermediaries Holdings, LLC, doing business in Washington state as Health Insurance Innovations (HII), has paid a $1.5 million fine for more than 50,000 violations of Washington state insurance laws and rules. 

It’s the largest single penalty against an insurance producer in the state’s history.

The record fine follows a lengthy investigation by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.

“This was an egregious case of flouting state laws around what types of companies are allowed to sell insurance and what products are legal to sell here,” said Kreidler. “HII had the highest number of law violations we’ve ever seen from an insurance producer in the history of our state.”

HII describes itself as a “market leading cloud-based technology platform and distributor of innovative health insurance products that are affordable and meet the consumer's needs.” The company has been the subject of investigations in other states for allowing deceptive sales practices.

HII sold 34,351 health insurance-related products to Washington consumers from Jan. 1, 2016 through Oct. 1, 2018, collecting $24.5 million in premiums.

Kreidler’s office found violations in the following areas:
  • HII sold unauthorized products in Washington state, including a dental plan and several discount programs that were included with various memberships.
  • HII sold products on behalf of two life insurers without being properly appointed by the companies, Unified Life Insurance Co. and Gerber Life Insurance Co.
  • HII allowed 434 unaffiliated insurance producers to sell 75% of its Washington state sales, a total of nearly 26,000 transactions. Washington state requires insurance producers to be affiliated with an insurance agency in order to represent the agency.
  • HII failed to register one of its “doing business as” (DBA) names, MyBenefitsKeeper, with Kreidler’s office.

HII indicated in the order that it voluntarily suspended business in Washington state in April 2019.

Kreidler also took action against six individual insurance producers who worked for HII and ultimately surrendered their licenses. He also fined Ameritas Life Insurance Co. for allowing HII to sell illegal products.

In 2018, HII settled a multistate examination into its sales, marketing and administrative practices by agreeing to pay $3.4 million and monitor its sales practices more closely. The examination was led by Indiana’s insurance commissioner and included 42 other states. Washington state opted out of the settlement.

Kreidler’s office oversees Washington’s insurance industry to ensure that companies, agents and brokers follow state laws. Since 2001, Kreidler has assessed more than $28 million in fines, which are deposited in the state's general fund to pay for state services.

The office publishes disciplinary orders against companies, agents and brokers. You can search by name or the year they took effect.

For an insurance question or complaint, contact Kreidler’s consumer advocates online or by phone at 800-562-6900.



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Medicare enrollment periods: Jan. 1 through March 31 - SHIBA can help

Thursday, December 26, 2019

If you need help with Medicare enrollment, call the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program at 1-800-562-6900 and ask for your local SHIBA office.

SHIBA is composed of retired insurance professionals, volunteering through the office of the state Insurance Commissioner, to help Washington citizens with insurance, for free.

General Enrollment Period for Medicare

If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part A (if you have to buy it) and/or Part B (for which you must pay premiums) during your Initial Enrollment Period, and you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the annual General Enrollment Period, Jan. 1 through March 31. Your coverage won’t start until July 1, and you may have to pay a higher Part A and/or Part B premium due to late enrollment.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period

If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, your Open Enrollment Period runs Jan. 1 through March 31. It gives you a chance to switch back to Original Medicare or change to a different Medicare Advantage plan, depending on which coverage works better for you.

For more information on both these enrollment periods, read our webpage: 
When can I sign up for Medicare Parts A and B?

If you need help, call our Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program at 1-800-562-6900 and ask for your local SHIBA office.



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AG Ferguson warns consumers of scam health insurance websites

Monday, November 25, 2019

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange has received dozens of complaints from Washingtonians coming across websites posing as the official health insurance marketplace

Some websites are tricking Washingtonians to get their personal information. 

Others provide services, but charge for things that should be free.

“My office works to protect all Washingtonians’ health care rights,” Ferguson said. “That includes warning individuals about fake health care websites before someone gets scammed. 
We’ve included some simple tips to spot websites posing as the office health insurance marketplace. If you come across one of them, please contact my office.”

Enrollment for the purchase of health insurance is now open and runs through December 15, 2019. 

During this time, Washington residents can find, compare and enroll in new health plans through the state’s official health insurance marketplace at wahealthplanfinder.org. On the website, Washingtonians can find out whether they qualify for free or low-cost coverage.

However, some scammers have created websites posing as the official marketplace to steal Washingtonian’s private information. Providing the information needed to sign up for insurance on the marketplace, such as social security numbers or birth dates, to a fake website would expose Washington residents to fraud and identity theft.

Also, consumers who use websites that are providing services will not get full information about their insurance options, including subsidies or access to Apple Health. 

The official marketplace for Washingtonians is the only place individuals can access tax credits and other federal assistance. 

The insurance plans offered by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange are the only plans to have guaranteed consumer protections and coverage, which plans purchased outside the marketplace may not.

To avoid getting scammed, follow these tips while shopping for health insurance:

  • Verify the web address of the exchange: The only official web address for the online marketplace is www.wahealthplanfinder.org. Any other site with a variation on the name or with an address that ends in “.net” or “.com” is not the state’s official marketplace. If you are unsure whether you have found the official website, call Washington Healthplanfinder toll-free at 1-855-WAFINDER.
  • Don’t pay for free stuff: The official marketplace for the state of Washington is the only place where you can receive tax credits, subsidies or access to free coverage through Medicaid or Washington Apple Health. Washingtonians never have to pay to sign up for free or low-cost health coverage in the marketplace.
  • Reach out to free, legitimate help
    • Only individuals who are certified by Washington Healthplanfinder or Medicaid to assist you with the enrollment process should request personal information to complete your application during a scheduled visit. 
    • This help is always free. 
    • If you don’t know whether someone is certified to assist you, call the Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Center at 1-855-WAFINDER. 
    • Community volunteers trained by Medicaid can be verified by calling 1-800-562-3022 or emailing AskMedicaid@hca.wa.gov.

Dozens of individuals have complained that they reached the incorrect website as they were attempting to sign up for health insurance through the state website. 

Some reported entering their private information to sign up for health insurance, not realizing they were providing that information to someone outside of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. 

These individuals often received unexpected calls from a company or individual not associated with the state marketplace after signing up through these websites.

To report a website posing as the health benefits exchange, file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office.



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UnitedHealthcare of Washington fined $30,000 by Insurance Commissioner

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined UnitedHealthcare of Washington, Seattle, $30,000, order 19-0360 for law violations during calendar year 2017, including:
 
  • Failure to maintain an adequate log of consumer complaints and claims appeals to determine if the company is handling them correctly.
  • Mishandled certain prescription claims that had prior authorization for coverage based on the medical condition they were treating.

Kreidler’s office oversees Washington’s insurance industry to ensure that companies, agents and brokers follow state laws. Since 2001, Kreidler has assessed more than $28 million in fines, which are deposited in the state's general fund to pay for state services.

The office publishes disciplinary orders against companies, agents and brokers. You can search by name or the year they took effect.

For an insurance question or complaint, contact Kreidler’s consumer advocates online or by phone at 800-562-6900.



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SHIBA celebrates 40 years of free, unbiased help with Medicare

Thursday, November 14, 2019

From the WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) in Washington state. Also known as SHIBA, it’s a network of more than 400 volunteers and 20 nonprofit sponsors who help Washington’s 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries with their health care choices.

Skagit County volunteers celebrate incorporating with
the Office of the Insurance Commissioner circa 1978.

SHIBA, operated by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, was the first program of its kind in 1979.

It was started in 1976 by a grassroots group of volunteers in Skagit County who wanted to help people understand Medicare and related policies, and funded by the local Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Three years later, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner launched the group as a statewide program called SHIBA, based on its success in Skagit County. I

n 1979, SHIBA had 25 locations and 250 volunteers statewide.

Washington state’s SHIBA program inspired the federal government to create a national model, called State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP). In 1990, funding was authorized to create similar programs in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Guam, Washington DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2018, SHIBA volunteers helped:

  • 94,000 people with Medicare and other health care choices
  • 108,000 people at more than 3,200 education and outreach events
Medicare open enrollment ends on December 7, 2019. Find free, unbiased Medicare counseling near you or call us at 800–562–6900.



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Insurance Commissioner fines USCCA $100,000 for illegal insurance sales, policies

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Mike Kreidler
Insurance Commissioner
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fined United States Concealed Carry Association, Inc., (USCCA) for violating Washington state laws by selling unauthorized insurance that illegally covers defense costs for criminal shootings. 

“We made two things very clear to USCCA,” Kreidler said. “Insurers must be authorized to sell in our state, and policies can’t cover illegal activity. These law violations are fixable, if the company wishes to do business in Washington state.”

USCCA agreed to pay a $100,000 fine and $5,457 in unpaid premium taxes, penalties and interest and to continue not selling the insurance in Washington state. Fines assessed by Kreidler are deposited in the state's general fund to pay for state services.

USCCA sold insurance to 1,675 Washington state consumers from Dec. 1, 2018 through Jan. 30, 2019, collecting $241,000. USCCA has paid no claims in Washington state.

USCCA bundled the insurance product, called a protection plan, with membership in its association. The protection plan provides payments for criminal defense costs if a member is charged with a crime related to the intentional use of a firearm or other weapon. 

Washington state law doesn’t allow a person to buy insurance for their own intentional criminal activity.

USCCA no longer sells insurance in Washington state.



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Medicare open enrollment October 15 to December 7

Saturday, October 12, 2019


Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period has arrived for the more than 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries in Washington.

From October 15 to December 7, 2019 people on Medicare can:
  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan or vice versa.
  • Join, drop or switch a Part D prescription drug plan if they are on Original Medicare.
  • Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan if they are already on one.

The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program, which is part of the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, is ready to help with all of these decisions.

They will be at the Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center on Friday, October 18, (see article)

Celebrating its 40th year of helping people in Washington state, SHIBA provides free, unbiased and confidential help with Medicare and other health care options to people of all ages and backgrounds.

“I’m very proud of the work our SHIBA volunteers and staff continue to provide to consumers,” said state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. 
“Our volunteer advisors can help you compare plans and other information to help you make an informed decision about what Medicare plans work best for you. And if you qualify, they can even help you apply for any programs that'll save you money on Medicare costs.”

Medicare is not one-size-fits-all. Each person’s needs, situation and benefits are different – and that includes spouses, who may have their own Medicare plan.

Consider these tips for 2020:
  • Plan costs and coverage can change every year, so review and keep all letters and notices your current plan sends you.
  • List all of the prescription drugs you take, the doses, and how often you take them. Then, use Medicare's Plan Finder to compare Part D plans.
  • Review the 2020 Medicare & You handbook. You should receive it in the mail by mid-October.
  • If you have questions, call SHIBA at 800-562-6900 before you sign up. 
Find a SHIBA workshop near you.
  • You can schedule a one-on-one counseling appointment with a SHIBA volunteer, Monday through Friday: Call our Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900 and ask to speak with a SHIBA volunteer in your local area.
  • Find the phone number for your local SHIBA office.
  • Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center on the 3rd Friday - October 18. (see article)


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SHIBA volunteers at the Senior Center will help with Medicare and health care choices

SHIBA is composed of retired insurance
professionals who volunteer for the Office
of the Insurance Commissioner
The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program provides free, unbiased, and confidential assistance with Medicare and health care choices. 

A SHIBA volunteer will review with you the options available within the state of Washington.

The SHIBA volunteer will be on hand each 3rd Friday of the month, from 10am – 12pm. The next date is Friday, October 18, 2019.

Call the center at 206-365-1536 to schedule your FREE help.

The senior center is located at 18560 1stAve NE, Shoreline 98155 in the southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus. Free parking in south lot 

This service is in partnership with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.



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Record low average rate decrease for Washington’s 2020 individual health insurance market

Friday, October 11, 2019

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has approved a record low average rate decrease of -3.25% for Washington’s 2020 individual health insurance market. Two new health insurers - PacificSource Health Plans and Providence Health Plan - are also entering the market. 

“Despite the Trump administration’s effort over the last two years to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, the record average rate decrease and interest by insurers is evidence that our market is stabilizing,” said Kreidler. 
“We have more work to do to lower the cost of health care and to help lower out-of-pocket costs, but more choice and lower premiums are welcome news.”

Open enrollment for the individual market runs Nov. 1 - Dec. 15. Consumers can shop for plans in Washington's Exchange. 

Approximately 248,000 people who don’t get coverage from their employer must buy their own health insurance through the individual market, with most shopping on the Exchange. 

In Washington, 65% of people who buy plans on the Exchange qualify for subsidies that help lower their monthly premiums.



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Homeowners on both sides of state should be ready for wildfire

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Washington wildfire
Photo courtesy State of Washington

WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

So far in 2019, 851 wildfires have burned 13,613 acres of public lands, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. In 2018, 1,743 fires in Washington burned 438,834 acres.

It’s August and we are in the thick of Washington state’s wildfire season.

The fire risk is low in only one county for the entire state — Grays Harbor. The rest of the state is at moderate, high or extreme risk of wildfire.

Minimizing the risk posed by wildfires is a reality for all homeowners in Washington state. It’s no longer an issue only for those who live in Eastern Washington. Here are some tips for all Washington homeowners.

Insurance coverage
  • Review your policy. Does it have adequate replacement coverage if you suffer a loss?
  • Buy special coverage to protect specific valuables, such as jewelry, fine art, and other items that may have limited coverage under your homeowner policy.
  • Prepare a household inventory. If you lose the contents of your home, an inventory makes the claim easier and faster.
  • What you should know about insurance claims after a fire.
Protect your property

There are many resources available to homeowners about how to physically protect their property from a fire. Common tips include:
  • Keep debris out of your gutters and off your roof.
  • Replace or repair missing or broken shingles on your roof to prevent embers from taking hold.
  • Replace or repair broken screens and use wire screens to box in areas below patios and decks to keep flammable materials from accumulating.
  • Create a fire break by removing any flammable material away from the exterior walls of your house — mulch, plants, firewood, leaves and needles. Here’s some information about fire-resistant plants.
  • Health hazards
  • Wildfire smoke is dangerous for everyone. Refrain from outdoor exercise when the air is smoky. If you have asthma or any other health condition, the state Department of Health has information about face masks.
  • Keep your health insurance information and any medications you use ready in case you need to evacuate. The state Emergency Management Division has information about disaster preparedness.
More information



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Should you have earthquake insurance?

Monday, July 29, 2019

Maple Valley road 1965
Photo from King County Archives
We had a small rattler a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't The Big One, but it should have been a wake up call that we need to take some precautions for when a bigger one comes.

One of the things to consider is earthquake insurance.

For most people, their home is their greatest financial asset. Mortgagers require that you have homeowner's insurance but earthquake insurance is optional.

Earthquake damage is not covered under homeowner's insurance.

Earthquake insurance is an added endorsement to your existing homeowner or renter’s policy, or a separate earthquake policy you buy.

It provides coverage if your home is destroyed by an earthquake.

It's a separate endorsement you must buy and add to your homeowner or renter policy.
  • You can also buy a stand-alone policy separate from your homeowner policy.
  • It's usually sold with deductibles equaling 10 to 25 percent of the structure’s policy limit.
  • It only pays for damages that exceed the deductible.
  • There may be a separate deductible for contents, structure and unattached structures like garages, sheds, driveways, or retaining walls.
Generally, this coverage isn't available to buy for a period of time after an earthquake.

What it covers
  • Repairs to your home
  • Your personal property due to earthquake damage
  • The cost to remove debris
  • Extra living expense you might have while your home is repaired or rebuilt
What it might cover
  • Increased costs to meet current building codes and costs to stabilize the land under your home
  • Other structures not attached to your house
What it doesn't cover
  • Fire
  • Land
  • Vehicles
  • Pre-existing damage
  • External water damage
  • Damage due to:
  • Landslides
  • Settlements
  • Mudflows
  • Earth rising, sinking and contracting
What it might not cover
  • Floods
  • Tidal waves or tsunamis - even when caused by an earthquake
To see if you're covered or not for these types of damages listed above, talk to your agent or broker and be sure to read your policy.

What to expect from insurers
Some earthquake insurers may require an inspection of your property before they'll issue you a policy. They may even have different coverage requirements, such as:
  • The location of your home
  • Your home must be bolted to its foundation
  • The location and bracing of your home's interior walls
  • You must have strapping guards to secure fixtures, such as hot-water heaters
The last four are good advice, even if you choose not to purchase earthquake insurance. Bolting your home to its foundation and strapping guards for fixtures are relatively low cost compared to the cost of repairing damage caused by the lack of these precautions.

Talk to an agent and see what your options are.



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Correction to headline about Insurance Commissioner

Thursday, July 25, 2019

A couple of letters make a huge difference in a sentence, let alone a headline!

The correct headline on yesterday's story should have read: Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler disciplines and issues fines to insurance companies totaling $724,000

The insurance commissioner is a person of high integrity and his office is a diligent watchdog for Washington citizens.

Here's the story again: HERE


DKH


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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler disciplines and issues fines to insurance companies totaling $724,000

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler disciplined and issued fines in July totaling $724,000 against insurance companies, agents and brokers who violated state insurance regulations.
Insurance companies.

The office of the insurance commissioner issues fines every month for everything from improper paperwork to large and small-scale insurance fraud, from companies and individuals.

Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc., Seattle; fined $600,000, order 19-0240

The health insurance company committed a number of violations involving provider networks, claims handling, consumer appeals and responding to Kreidler’s office. Kreidler suspended $200,000 of the fine as long as the company completes a compliance plan to correct the violations.

Preferred Contractors Insurance Risk Retention Group LLC, Billings, Mont.; fined $35,000, order 19-0270

The company accepted policy applications from an unlicensed producer and an unlicensed entity.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., Bloomington, Ill.; fined $20,000, order 19-0239

The company failed to attach a required endorsement to its commercial farm and ranch policies.

National Casualty Co., Columbus, Ohio; fined $20,000, order 19-0212

The company failed to use its correct legal name on more than half of its forms. Kreidler suspended $10,000 of the fine as long as the company reports that it has corrected all of its forms.

Employers Mutual Casualty Co., Des Moines, Iowa; fined $4,000, order 19-0243

The company failed to properly appoint producers and agencies and allowed unlicensed producers to process insurance transactions.



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Motorcycle drivers need liability insurance by July 28

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

State law requires liability insurance for
motorcycle drivers after July 28
A new state law takes effect on July 28 that requires all motorcycle drivers to carry liability coverage and to provide proof of insurance.

This is a change to the state’s mandatory liability insurance law that previously exempted motorcycle drivers. 

The new law requires anyone who drives a motor vehicle or motorcycle in Washington state to:

Carry liability insurance with liability limits of at least:
  • $25,000 for injuries or death to another person
  • $50,000 for injuries or death to all other people
  • $10,000 for damage to another person’s property

Apply for a certificate of deposit to pay for your liability insurance with the Department of Licensing 

Have a liability bond of at least $60,000 filed by a surety bond company that’s authorized to do business in Washington.

Self-insure if you have 26 or more vehicles. For more information or to see if you qualify for this option, contact the Department of Licensing.

Motorcycle drivers must also be prepared to show proof that they have liability insurance. Your insurance company will send you a paper card, or have an electronic version of the card online or in an app. If you cannot prove to a law enforcement officer that you have insurance, you can get a ticket.

Find more information about the law change on the state insurance commissioner website.

If you don’t yet have the coverage you need, talk to your agent or broker. You can find licensed agents and brokers and see the status of their license on the insurance commissioner website.



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