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

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 can't overemphasize the importance of this sentence: When you sign up for coverage of any kind, be sure to check the policy when you receive it! This is your responsibility as a policyholder. Read it, look at the coverage and prices, and ask your agent or insurance company any questions immediately before you have a claim or policy payment issue. It�s much easier to make a correction early in the process rather than after you have a claim and things aren�t correct.

Read more about your insurance on our website. Questions? You can contact our consumer advocates online or at 1-800-562-6900.

OIC orders Fife RV & Auto Center to stop selling warranties

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 under Washington state law and businesses must be authorized to sell them in Washington state.

The company has a right to demand a hearing and it must honor the terms of all warranties it sold to Washington consumers. Read more about warranties and service contracts sold in Washington.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly or have questions about insurance in Washington state, contact our consumer advocates online or by phone at 1-800-562-6900.

Consumers ask, why is my repair taking so long?

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 you will not be responsible for any added expenses due to repair delays. We do, however, expect the insurer will communicate with your repair shop and contractors in a timely manner to be able to come to an agreed price of and timeline for a repair.

If you decide to use your own repair shop, building contractor, cleaning service, or any other vendor that is not one recommended by your insurance, it is your responsibility to monitor the repair progress and monitor the vendor. Delays created by your shop or contractor and any added expenses or inconvenience created by those delays are not the responsibility of the insurer. In those cases, the insurer will expect you to pay for extra car rental days or alternate living arrangements if a delay is caused.

If you are working with an electrician, plumber, elevator mechanic or manufactured home installer, you should protect yourself by verifying they are licensed with the state Department of Labor and Industries.

In any event, it is always a good idea for you to take an active role in the claims process--do not expect that everything will be done automatically by the insurer or the business that is doing the repair work. Being involved in a claim by its very nature is unpleasant, but you can help lessen frustration by asking questions and keeping track of the progress of your repair.
If you have questions, you can contact our consumer advocates online or at 1-800-562-6900.

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

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 Associated Press. 

The good news is that most homeowner and auto policies will cover some degree of damage due to volcanic eruptions, but there are, of course, exceptions. The key is evaluating your home and auto policies and talking to your insurance agent before an eruption occurs.

Read more about volcano coverage for your home and auto. If you have questions or complaints about your insurance, contact our consumer advocates online or by phone at 1-800-562-6900.

Seattle insurance producer loses license

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 life insurance for a lower premium than they had on their existing policy. They told Gloria they didn�t want to give up their existing policy, they simply wanted some comparison quotes. Gloria gave the couple documents to sign, which he said were necessary to obtain a quote, but in fact allowed him to replace their existing policies with new ones, underwritten by a different insurance company. Gloria also requested a voided check, which the couple gave him.  

Once the couple realized that their old policies had been replaced with new ones, they instructed Gloria that they wanted their old policies restored. From March through September 2013, the couple repeatedly contacted Gloria and he repeatedly told them it was in the works, even when the old company told the couple their policies were still not reinstated. 

Gloria is not allowed to sell insurance in Washington state or to Washington consumers. He has 90 days to appeal the revocation of his license. You can read the OIC order revoking his license here. 

If you feel you have been treated unfairly or have questions about insurance in Washington state, contact our consumer advocates online or by phone at 1-800-562-6900.

• Related info: Read the OIC�s consumer�s guide to life insurance. 

 

 

Visit OIC at the Small Business Fair in Renton this Saturday

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 provide health plans for employees.
• Other types of insurance that small businesses may want to consider.

The fair is free, with plenty of free parking and no advance registration necessary.

There will free seminars that cover important, up-to-date topics for all stages of business ownership. Savvy business experts share their knowledge and real-life experiences with you. 

Attendees will be able to connect with 30 federal, state and local government agencies, and business and trade associations.  

Here are the details:

• Saturday, Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Renton Technical College, 3000 NE 4th Street, Renton.
• www.bizfair.org

Insurance Information Institute: Only 37 percent of renters have insurance

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 there is a disaster,� said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and chief communications officer for the I.I.I. in a news release. �And, renters insurance is relatively inexpensive � the average cost of a renter�s policy is only $187 per year, or less than four dollars per week.�

Homeownership has fallen for over the past decade, according to Pew Research. The Northwest Insurance Council reports that up to 45 percent of people in the Puget Sound region rent rather than own their residence. That trend is mirrored in other major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, where renters outnumber homeowners, the U.S. Census Bureau reports.

Landlords typically have insurance to cover the value of the property and structure, but that coverage does not cover the renter�s belongings (contents). A standard renter�s policy covers contents, personal liability, premises medical coverage if someone is injured on the property you rent, and additional living expenses if you have to temporarily relocate from your rental property.

Read more about renter insurance. Need help? Contact our consumer advocates online or at 1-800-562-6900.