Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·3 days agoEnrolling in Medicare can be confusing. We’re here to help.Feeling a bit frustrated by all the Medicare ads during open enrollment? You’re not alone. It’s easy to feel bombarded and confused, especially with all the ads targeting seniors to buy a Medicare Advantage plan. We’re not saying Medicare Advantage plans are bad, but they may not be right for…3 min read3 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Oct 30How to protect yourself during Medicare open enrollmentMedicare’s annual open enrollment period wraps up on December 7, 2023 and Medicare Advantage’s open enrollment runs from January 1 to March 31, 2024. And along with this annual event comes the deluge of advertisements promising unbelievable savings on health plans and expenses, but only if you call immediately —…3 min read3 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Oct 17What you can expect from your insurance companyIn the aftermath of the 2023 wildfire season, the OIC’s Consumer Advocacy Program representatives have been fielding calls from consumers experiencing issues with their insurance company during the claims process. The state has a set of expectations, monitored by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office, for communications standards between insurance companies…3 min read3 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Sep 18Flood season is on the way — learn more about purchasing flood insuranceClimate change impacts in Washington state have increased the likelihood of extreme weather events. That includes floods, which are more costly in Washington than all other natural disasters. If you live in a flood zone, the fall season is a good time to consider flood insurance. …2 min read2 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Sep 13Climate risks worry home buyers and insurersA piece from Axios this week covered the impact potential climate disasters are having on potential home buyers in the five Pacific states. The story covers a Zillow survey of 4,600 home shoppers from April to July of this year notes that 80% of those people consider at least one…2 min read2 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Sep 1More tips and advice for people impacted by wildfiresA member of our Consumer Advocacy team spent the early part of this week in Spokane volunteering at the Disaster Assistance Center as the community recovers from the Oregon Road and Gray fires. The Disaster Assistance Center opened Friday at Spokane Falls Community College with representatives from agencies and organizations…2 min read2 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Aug 22Myths and facts: What does your homeowners policy cover in a fire?It’s a particularly harrowing wildfire season, and if your home is in danger you’re probably keeping an ear open for any helpful information. And when it comes to a complicated topic — like insurance — you’re likely to hear a lot of half-baked theories and rumors about what’s covered and…2 min read2 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Jul 26July is Vehicle Theft Prevention MonthEach July, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) — the insurance industry’s association dedicated to predicting, preventing, and prosecuting insurance crime — partners with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help deter vehicle thefts as part of Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. According to analysis…2 min read2 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Jul 13DNR asks that drones stay grounded around wildfiresWe’re in the middle of wildfire season in Washington, which has grown in recent years due to climate change. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources provides the most up-to-date information on active wildfires in our state through its Wildfire Intel Dashboard. DNR made a request in early July for…1 min read1 min read
Published inCommissioner’s Eye on Insurance·Jun 5Learning about SHIBA during Medicare Fraud Prevention WeekThere’s a lot of questions about SHIBA. What is it? What does the acronym stand for? What do you mean, the whole thing’s made out of volunteers? SHIBA — which, for the record, stands for Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors — is a program in the Office of the Insurance…3 min read3 min read
