The Office of the Insurance Commissioner is recruiting to fill a Functional Program Analyst 3 position in the Consumer Protection Division at our Tumwater headquarters. This position supports our mission by advocating on behalf of consumers to ensure fair treatment by insurance companies and by educating the public on insurance matters.
The position researches and resolves consumer complaints involving health, life, annuity & disability (L&D) insurance and licensed carriers and responds to consumer inquiries regarding L&D insurance issues, including questions involving federal health care reform. This position staffs our consumer hotline four hours per day and spends the remaining time researching and resolving consumer complaints and then following up with consumers. Our consumer protection staff work with consumers and insurance professionals and also work heavily in our database, with some website content responsibilities.
In 2013, we received more than 5,000 consumer complaints and recovered more than $8 million related to insurance billings, refunds and various claim-handling issues.
Read more about this position or apply. This job closes on April 6.
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Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Q: "My homeowners insurer sent an inspector to look at my home. Can they do this?"
It is not unusual for home insurers to periodically inspect the homes they insure.
Generally an inspection might be done after years of providing insurance when an insurer may ask if it's still insuring the same risk that it started out with.
The company might ask your agent to do a site inspection, or might hire an independent company to do site inspections and write reports about what they see, such as maintenance, property/landscape care, and any dangerous conditions that might increase the chance of a loss or injury at your home or on your premises.
There are no insurance laws that prohibit site inspections. Of course you’ll want to set up an appointment so you can be there when the site inspection is made. If a site inspection is made on a ‘drive by’ basis, there is a chance that a report may not be accurate, as you won’t be there to answer questions about any issues that could cause an inspector to be concerned, maybe unnecessarily. If you have questions about the process, we recommend that discuss the issue with your agent.
Generally an inspection might be done after years of providing insurance when an insurer may ask if it's still insuring the same risk that it started out with.
The company might ask your agent to do a site inspection, or might hire an independent company to do site inspections and write reports about what they see, such as maintenance, property/landscape care, and any dangerous conditions that might increase the chance of a loss or injury at your home or on your premises.
There are no insurance laws that prohibit site inspections. Of course you’ll want to set up an appointment so you can be there when the site inspection is made. If a site inspection is made on a ‘drive by’ basis, there is a chance that a report may not be accurate, as you won’t be there to answer questions about any issues that could cause an inspector to be concerned, maybe unnecessarily. If you have questions about the process, we recommend that discuss the issue with your agent.
Cost Accounting
Never let a simple thing like the cost of enforcement get in the way of a government give away
program.
Private industry would go bankrupt with this kind of business plan.
The conservative American Action Forum (AAF), which is often critical of the Obama administration,released a study Monday that estimates the regulatory costs have totaled $27.2 billion since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law in 2010.
On average, the regulatory costs add up to $6.8 billion each year, while the benefits account for $2.6 billion annually.The Hill
Private industry would go bankrupt with this kind of business plan.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Insurance News - Monday, March 24, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Monday, March 24, 2014:
- Foreshadowing a clash between auto makers and a prominent auto insurance company, a bill is being debated in California aimed at loosening car manufacturers' grip on data generated by vehicles.
- To ensure safety and reliability self-driving cars are going to have to consume and process enormous amounts of information.
- If cars could drive themselves, how many would we actually need? Will self-driving cars revolutionize car ownership?
- Drivers for ride-sharing services are being accused of fraud. Following an accident some are claiming their car was being used for personal use.
- About 3,400 people die each year in frontal crashes with no airbag deployment in their vehicle according to U.S. data.
Shecantbesious vs Hobby Lobby
A simple, factual accounting of tomorrow's SCOTUS hearing on Ms Kathy vs Hobby Lobby:
"Quite simply, if you read a newspaper to find out about the contraception mandate cases, you will read lies. Here are the top six."
Read the whole thing.
"Quite simply, if you read a newspaper to find out about the contraception mandate cases, you will read lies. Here are the top six."
Read the whole thing.
Important information about landslide insurance
Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency in Snohomish County after a large landslide hit the town of Oso on March 22. Tragically, at least eight lives were lost and several people were injured. Searches underway for more than 100 people who are still missing. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s thoughts are with the families, emergency responders and communities affected by the landslide.
In addition to the human toll, the slide destroyed at least 30 homes and 20 other structures, and caused a backup in the Stillaguamish River, sparking concerns about flooding. The landslide destroyed an area of at least one square mile, including Highway 230 and parts of neighboring Darrington. FEMA announced today it will assist with the landslide response.
People who lost or suffered damage to property as a result of the landslide can contact the Insurance Commissioner’s consumer advocates with questions about their options at 800-562-6900 or online.
In general, homeowner policies do not cover landslides or land movements caused by rain runoff. That type of coverage would be covered by a separate policy. If you think you purchased such a policy—or you would like to–contact your insurance agent or broker.
Read more information about homeowner insurance and landslides.
Gov. Inslee has a webpage with information about the landslide and the state Emergency Management Division has a page with updates and resources.
In addition to the human toll, the slide destroyed at least 30 homes and 20 other structures, and caused a backup in the Stillaguamish River, sparking concerns about flooding. The landslide destroyed an area of at least one square mile, including Highway 230 and parts of neighboring Darrington. FEMA announced today it will assist with the landslide response.
People who lost or suffered damage to property as a result of the landslide can contact the Insurance Commissioner’s consumer advocates with questions about their options at 800-562-6900 or online.
In general, homeowner policies do not cover landslides or land movements caused by rain runoff. That type of coverage would be covered by a separate policy. If you think you purchased such a policy—or you would like to–contact your insurance agent or broker.
Read more information about homeowner insurance and landslides.
Gov. Inslee has a webpage with information about the landslide and the state Emergency Management Division has a page with updates and resources.
The Morally Bankrupt MVNHS©
[Content warning - this is NOT for the squeamish. To access this post, click on the "Read More" button. But I'm serious, this is a VERY disturbing article. HGS]
"The remains of more than 15,000 babies were incinerated as 'clinical waste' by hospitals in Britain with some used in 'waste to energy' plants"