Q: Am I covered if my son breaks a neighbor's window while he's hitting rocks with his baseball bat or mowing our lawn?
A: Generally yes -- if it's an accident. Your homeowners policy will typically cover this type of accident at home or even away from home. But if it was a deliberate act, the damage may not be covered.
Also, consider your deductible. If the estimate to repair the window is small, it may be worth it to pay the damages out of pocket.
Note: This is one of a series of common -- or in some cases, particularly unusual -- questions received by our consumer advocacy staff, who answer questions from consumers.
Got a question or insurance problem of your own? If you live in Washington, feel free to give us a call, toll-free at 1-800-562-6900. We'll do our best to help. (And if you live in another state or territory, here's a handy map that lists the contact info for your local insurance regulatory office.)
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Thursday, May 21, 2015
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Insurance News - Monday, May 20, 2013
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Monday, May 20, 2013:
- A huge New York crime cartel that tried to steal $400 million in false no-fault injury claims is being dismantled.
- 26 people are arrested in South Florida for staging accidents and auto insurance fraud involving over $20 million.
- A Massachusetts insurance foundation plans on subsidizing the purchase of a device that blocks texting while driving to curb multi-tasking behind the wheel.
- The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists has developed a new set of resources for older drivers.
- A 19-year old student has developed self-driving car technology at a fraction of the cost of the technology used by the Google car. Needless to say he won the science fair grand prize.
- Will driverless cars be vulnerable to being hacked like other computers?
- Below is a TV ad made by a chiropractor that will make you cringe.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Insurance News - Sunday, May 18, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Sunday, May 18, 2014:
- Google did a parking-lot test with 100 cyclists driving around a self-driving car. It was able to see all of them and track their movement.
- Originally heralded as the death knell for independent agents and brokers, online auto insurance comparison sites now seem not only to be relatively toothless, but actually on their way out.
- Rhode Island regulators recently issued a bulletin notifying the state’s auto insurers of their filing requirements and deadlines for the Rhode Island Insurance Verification System (RIIVS) to track uninsured motorists.
- Actuaries are adapting to the telematics revolution. They have also found that telematics more or less affirms the old rating factors.
- Actuaries will also have to adapt to driverless cars.
- A little-noticed amendment to the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic agreed last month would let drivers take their hands off the wheel of self-driving cars. It was pushed by Germany, Italy and France, whose high-end car-makers say they are ready to zoom past American tech pioneers and bring the first "autonomous vehicles" to market.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
The proposed health insurance rates for 2014: Where to find them and what they say
A lot of people are wondering how health care reform will affect premiums for health insurance, including those plans that will be sold through the new Washington Healthplanfinder, our state's health insurance exchange.
The insurers selling plans inside and outside the Exchange have filed their proposed rates with our office. These rates include those for small businesses and for individuals buying insurance coverage on their own.
Our actuaries are reviewing the proposed rates, which we've posted on our website.
From what we've seen so far, we're pleasantly surprised. Many people will see rates similar to what they're paying now, or in some cases, lower -- and with substantially better benefits. While we have a lot of work to do in reviewing these proposals, and the final rates could change, we're definitely not seeing the huge rate increases that some insurers had predicted.
In most cases, the benefits are substantially better, particularly for the individual market. Today, most individual health plans don't cover prescription drugs or maternity care. When the Affordable Care Act takes full effect in January, they'll have to cover those things.
Also, in many cases, deductibles in the new plans are much lower than today and the new plans include approximately $500 worth of free preventive services, such as a wellness visit, some immunizations, cancer screenings, etc.
Finally, federal subsidies will help with the costs. If you earn less than $45,960 (or $94,200 for a family of four) you may qualify for a federal subsidy -- in the form of tax credits -- to help you pay your premium. You can get an estimate of that subsidy at the Washington Healthplanfinder site.
The insurers selling plans inside and outside the Exchange have filed their proposed rates with our office. These rates include those for small businesses and for individuals buying insurance coverage on their own.
Our actuaries are reviewing the proposed rates, which we've posted on our website.
From what we've seen so far, we're pleasantly surprised. Many people will see rates similar to what they're paying now, or in some cases, lower -- and with substantially better benefits. While we have a lot of work to do in reviewing these proposals, and the final rates could change, we're definitely not seeing the huge rate increases that some insurers had predicted.
In most cases, the benefits are substantially better, particularly for the individual market. Today, most individual health plans don't cover prescription drugs or maternity care. When the Affordable Care Act takes full effect in January, they'll have to cover those things.
Also, in many cases, deductibles in the new plans are much lower than today and the new plans include approximately $500 worth of free preventive services, such as a wellness visit, some immunizations, cancer screenings, etc.
Finally, federal subsidies will help with the costs. If you earn less than $45,960 (or $94,200 for a family of four) you may qualify for a federal subsidy -- in the form of tax credits -- to help you pay your premium. You can get an estimate of that subsidy at the Washington Healthplanfinder site.
WA to get at least $450,000 in MetLife settlement
From a press release our office issued this morning:
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington stands to receive at least $450,000 as part of a multi-state settlement with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
The $40 million settlement, which was announced in April and now involves at least 28 states, is based on concerns raised by insurance regulators over the extent of MetLife’s efforts to investigate and pay life insurance benefits. MetLife did not admit liability.
Under the terms of the settlement, MetLife agreed to regularly check the Social Security death master file or similar records to determine if its life insurance policyholders, annuity owners or retained asset account holders have died. The company will then make efforts to locate beneficiaries and pay claims.
“From what we’ve seen, I’m happy to report that there don’t appear to be major or widespread problems in Washington state with paying life insurance benefits in a timely manner,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “But it’s important to hold companies accountable when they fail to pay benefits when due.”
Under Washington state law, insurers must pay interest on a life insurance policy from the date of death. Unclaimed policies are turned over to the state’s unclaimed property fund, which holds the money for any future claims.
Washington’s share of the settlement, to be determined in early July, depends on the number of states that sign on to the settlement. The money will go into the state’s general fund.
Job opening: Deputy insurance commissioner for our Company Supervision division
We're recruiting to fill an exempt position for the deputy insurance commissioner in charge of our Company Supervision Division.
The successful applicant will manage a wide variety of situations and influences the course of insurance affairs at the state, national and international levels.
The position is responsible for the financial and market examination and supervision of all Washington-organized insuring entities and all other insuring entities licensed to do business in this state. The position’s mission is to protect insurance consumers, the public generally, and the state’s economy by ensuring the safety and soundness of insuring entities, and to ensure that they comply with applicable law.
In addition, the position has broad statutory discretion and specific statutory authority involving the registration/licensing, operation, supervision, receivership, liquidation, and merger of insuring entities.
For more specifics, duties, salary, and more please see the full job listing.
The successful applicant will manage a wide variety of situations and influences the course of insurance affairs at the state, national and international levels.
The position is responsible for the financial and market examination and supervision of all Washington-organized insuring entities and all other insuring entities licensed to do business in this state. The position’s mission is to protect insurance consumers, the public generally, and the state’s economy by ensuring the safety and soundness of insuring entities, and to ensure that they comply with applicable law.
In addition, the position has broad statutory discretion and specific statutory authority involving the registration/licensing, operation, supervision, receivership, liquidation, and merger of insuring entities.
For more specifics, duties, salary, and more please see the full job listing.
Insurance News - Friday, May 16, 2014
Here are the leading auto insurance headlines from ONTARIO AUTO INSURANCE TOPICS ON TWITTER for Friday, May 16, 2014:
- Although the insurance industry purports to embrace online technology for consumers seeking quotes and other interaction, a new secret shopper study shows that only 44% of online quote requests get both a call and email response from the insurer or agent--and 17% received no response at all.
- A telematics device recently exposed a $91,000 auto insurance fraud case. Information stored on the device revealed that a car accident was not as significant as claimed by those involved in the crash.
- Lawyers launches class action suit against WSIB on behalf of Ontario injured workers for reducing awards for pre-existing conditions.
- Have the Liberals kept their auto insurance rates commitment?
- Latest Ontario seat projections have PCs winning 53 seats (current 37), Liberals winning 35 seats (current 49) and NDP with 19 seats (current 21).