tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83015565619156281102024-03-13T04:38:23.717-07:00Insurence TipsT.I.P.S Insurance provides taxi insurance, limousine insurance, bus, car and commercial vehicle insurance in New York, PA, New Jersey, Florida and nationwide. Affordable health insurance plans and quotesbejohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00657944362483652986noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-62924594808262129932012-06-13T18:03:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00Insurance tips: Credit scores and insurance scoresMany insurers use a credit-based "insurance score" as a factor -- a major factor, often -- in setting your rates. It's a quick way of quoting you a price, and insurers maintain that there's a correlation between these credit-based scores and a person's claims history.Washington state limits how insurers can use these scores, and Commissioner Kreidler has repeatedly pushed for legislation to ban Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-15868167091864460722012-06-11T06:19:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00Insurance and vintage or antique carsQ: I'm rebuilding my antique car and my grandfather's one-seater vintage biplane in my garage. Will my homeowners policy cover all the parts if they are stolen?A: Probably not. Most homeowners policies exclude autos, aircraft, other motorized vehicles and their parts. You might have coverage for, say, a riding lawn mower or golf cart, but you'd be wise to talk to your agent and insurer aboutUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-20190298333982752162012-06-08T06:36:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00Coming this fall: Agents and brokers in WA can submit fingerprints electronicallyIn Washington, as in most states, we require insurance agents and brokers to submit their fingerprints for the required background check. For years, this has been done on paper cards, on which a worker rolls the applicant's inked fingers. It's messy, but more importantly, it's difficult to get good, usable prints. In fact, there's a 30 percent rejection rate by the State Patrol, meaning thatUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-53040570094579362252012-06-07T17:12:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00Open letter from Commissioner Kreidler to Premera and LifeWise policyholdersOur office has denied requests from Premera Blue Cross to strip some of the company's health plans of vital prescription drug coverage.Premera filed a request with our office in late April, seeking approval to remove all prescription drug coverage from its small employer plans. These are plans sold to employers with 1-50 employees. Premera subsidiary Lifewise filed a request to remove drugs from Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-62276495512728247472012-06-06T15:14:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00New insurance bills take effect tomorrowFour new insurance-related bills take effect tomorrow. None were insurance commissioner request legislation, but they will impact consumers starting June 7. Whether you'd like to share your car or get evacuated home from a trip, there's something for everyone. Want to know more? Here's the complete list:Usage-based insurance Car sharingAir rescuePEBB ombudsman for retired state employeesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-13471753389495546792012-06-04T06:21:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00Insurance and sleepoversQ: My daughter's having a friend over for a sleepover. If the friend trips and falls or something, would my homeowners policy cover her medical bills?A: Generally yes, since most modern homeowners policies have what's known as "guest medical" coverage. This is designed to pay the medical bills -- up to a specified dollar limit per accident -- for accidental injury to guests. But it doesn't cover Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-21857371923001072372012-06-01T16:37:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00Washington state insurance markets: Our annual reportEach year, we issue an annual report summarizing the insurance markets in Washington state, selected financial statement data, authorized insurers by line of business, top companies, top groups, company changes, etc.Get 'em before they're sold out. (That's a joke. They're online only, and we have no shortage of pixels.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-88295431612037840832012-05-29T13:32:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.515-07:00New report: What repeal of the Affordable Care Act would mean in WAWe've just posted a new report detailing the effects in Washington state of the federal health care reform law. Among them:Numerous consumer protections built into the law have already taken effect. Among these: drug discounts for more than 1 million Washington seniors, tax breaks for small businesses, and parents can now keep their adult children on the parents' health policy until age 26.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-40389522695151139332012-05-22T14:15:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Turning 65 soon?If you or someone you know will be turning age 65 in the next year or so, check out our new Medicare web pages. We launched a series of web pages called “What is Medicare?” to help people who will soon become eligible for Medicare. The information provides a basic overview of Medicare, explaining the different parts and options available to people. For additional help with Medicare choices, Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-83126627585402970462012-05-21T06:25:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Insurance and broken windowsQ: 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, Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-77312322953822013662012-05-16T10:50:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00WA to get at least $450,000 in MetLife settlementFrom 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 andUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-86182407347459867972012-05-15T11:42:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Spokane-area woman convicted of theft in insurance caseA Liberty Lake, Wash. woman pleaded guilty today in Spokane County Superior Court to theft for filing thousands of dollars in false insurance claims.Sarah Shireee Walters was sentenced to 10 days in jail, which was converted to 80 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay more than $4,000 in restitution and fees.Walters and her husband, Jeremy Walters were both employees of Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-86999557145406001852012-05-14T06:56:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Insurance: When a driver admits liabilityQ: I was in a car accident and the other driver admitted that it was his fault. But his insurance company won't pay 100 percent. Why not?A: Determining who is at fault for an accident depends on the facts as discovered during the investigation, not on just one driver's opinion. Even though one driver might be cited by police or admit fault, the issue of liability can only be determined afterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-69655655121179573982012-05-10T06:34:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Insurance company turned down your claim? We may be able to help.Often when consumers call us with insurance problems, we suggest that they file a complaint with our office. And it's not uncommon for people to say something like “Why should I bother? I already called the insurance company, and they gave me their answer.”First off, don't give up. Filing a complaint with our office can still help.Here's why: When we receive complaints, we send the paperworkUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-44795724680430834812012-05-07T06:54:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Prestige Administration ordered to stop selling insurance products in WAAn Arizona company that has sold at least 82 vehicle service contracts illegally in Washington state has been ordered to stop.Our office has issued a cease-and-desist order against Phoenix-based Prestige Administration Inc.Our legal affairs investigators found that the company issued at least 82 motor vehicle service contracts or similar products to Washington consumers. (Under Washington Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-34526047487134040012012-05-04T06:21:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Agent charged with theft and forgeryAn insurance agent in Pierce County has been charged with theft and forgery for allegedly collecting tens of thousands of dollars in payments from clients but not issuing them insurance.Nancy M. Bishop, who did business as the Nancy Bishop Agency in Puyallup, Wash., was charged Thursday in Pierce County Superior Court with one count of first-degree theft and five counts of forgery.In Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-65777407483574050962012-05-03T14:52:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Insurance commissioner's statement on Mackey v. McKennaInsurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler on Thursday issued the following statement about the filing of a private lawsuit against Attorney General Rob McKenna over McKenna’s efforts to overturn federal health care reform:“As this new lawsuit points out, Attorney General McKenna wants to have it both ways. Shortly after federal health reform passed, McKenna rushed to join fellow conservatives in Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-29408877213578977872012-05-03T09:48:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Insurance: Am I covered if I rent an RV?Q: Does my auto insurance cover me if I rent a large RV for my vacation?A: Maybe. Some policies will limit coverage to certain-sized vehicles that you may borrow or rent. So talk with your agent or insurer about your plans before you borrow or rent.This can also be an important consideration if you're moving yourself or otherwise renting a large truck, by the way. Many auto policies Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-5961707762711107932012-05-02T06:00:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.516-07:00Insurance agent's license revoked: Submitted dozens of bogus life insurance applicationsInsurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has revoked the license of a Renton insurance agent who submitted dozens of bogus life insurance policies, apparently to collect the commissions.Angela M. Scott, a former agent for Primerica Life Insurance Co., lost her license, effective April 9."By using fraudulent and dishonest practices and demonstrating incompetence, untrustworthiness and financial Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-9785281551866670482012-05-01T10:55:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.517-07:00With dam repaired, program to help Green River Valley businesses find flood coverage endsTwo years after launching a special program to help business owners in Washington's Green River Valley find flood coverage, we're ending the program. At the time, area businesses said they were having trouble finding insurance due to concerns about slumping in an earthen embankment adjacent to the Howard Hanson Dam. There were serious concerns among local business groups and lawmakers that Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-70680610780686182942012-04-30T06:39:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.517-07:00Insurance, building codes and rebuilding after a disasterQ: Part of my home burned, and I'm repairing the large burned section of the home. County building codes require upgrades from what was originally there. Does my homeowners policy cover this added expense?A: It depends. If your policy has what's called "law and ordinance coverage" -- it's often referred to as "L&O" or "upgrade coverage," then yes, your policy would address the added costs to Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-17979289195912297752012-04-26T06:30:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.517-07:00Insurance and fallen treesQ: Will my insurance pay to repair my neighbor's home if my tree falls on his home?A: It may not have to. Typically, a homeowner's own insurance coverage pays for such damage, unless you were negligent and your negligence caused the tree to fall. Say the tree was obviously diseased or damaged and posed a clear risk to your neighbor's home, for example. In such cases, you could be found negligent Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-1837219766439814762012-04-23T06:06:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.517-07:00Insurance: When a car is burglarizedQ: My clothes, camping gear, camera and guitar were stolen from my car. Will my auto insurance pay for these things?A: Maybe, but there may well be dollar limits for things like clothing, sports equipment, etc. that might be incidental to an outing or vacation. Your auto policy would specify those limits. (We had an odd fraud case a couple of years ago involving a man who kept claiming that Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-55768385004430520912012-04-20T06:21:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.517-07:00Dogs and insuranceQ: Am I covered if my dog bites someone else visiting my home, or when we're at a city park or campground?A: Generally yes. Your homeowners policy will typically cover the incident at home or away from home, but once your insurance company knows that your dog caused an injury, the company may take a second look at you as a risk. The company may not want to continue coverage, or could raise its Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301556561915628110.post-7832321917219190762012-04-19T15:02:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:08:24.517-07:00Job openings: Actuary, financial examiner, analyst, technician, receptionistDue to retirements, a promotion, etc., we have several jobs that we're looking to fill. It's been quite a while since we've had this many openings.The jobs are listed below, along with a few highlights. For the official job listing and specifics, including duties, salaries, required qualifications, etc., please click on each job's link below. Application deadlines vary -- these are listed under Unknownnoreply@blogger.com