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 exclude large trucks or other vehicles. It's a good idea to check first.
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.)
Updated to correct typo in the question about renting a large TV. Whoops. We meant RV.
Insurance agent's license revoked: Submitted dozens of bogus life insurance applications
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 6:00 AM
Insurance 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 irresponsibility, Ms. Scott violated" state insurance law, says Kreidler's order.
From June 1, 2010 to May 2011, Scott submitted 88 term life insurance policies to the insurer. The premiums were to be paid through automatic withdrawals from the applicants' bank accounts.
But of the 88 applications submitted, 76 had invalid bank account numbers. Some 67 had invalid social security numbers. And 52 listed phone numbers that didn't work. When the banks didn't pay the premiums because of the incorrect account numbers, Scott submitted 60 money orders for policies' first payments.
An investigator for Kreidler's office reviewed 15 of the policies and could find no driver's licenses or other information indicating that the applicants were in fact real people. Nor could he find any trace of three people whom Scott claimed had introduced her to those applicants.
Scott has the right to demand a hearing to contest the revocation.
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 irresponsibility, Ms. Scott violated" state insurance law, says Kreidler's order.
From June 1, 2010 to May 2011, Scott submitted 88 term life insurance policies to the insurer. The premiums were to be paid through automatic withdrawals from the applicants' bank accounts.
But of the 88 applications submitted, 76 had invalid bank account numbers. Some 67 had invalid social security numbers. And 52 listed phone numbers that didn't work. When the banks didn't pay the premiums because of the incorrect account numbers, Scott submitted 60 money orders for policies' first payments.
An investigator for Kreidler's office reviewed 15 of the policies and could find no driver's licenses or other information indicating that the applicants were in fact real people. Nor could he find any trace of three people whom Scott claimed had introduced her to those applicants.
Scott has the right to demand a hearing to contest the revocation.
With dam repaired, program to help Green River Valley businesses find flood coverage ends
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Two 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 without flood insurance, businesses in the heavily industrialized valley would start looking for locations elsewhere.
At our request, insurance companies agreed to
Fast forward two years: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has performed repairs on the dam, tested it, and the Corps says it is confident that the dam is again able to operate at full flood capacity. From all indications, businesses seeking flood insurance area again able to get it. That's why we're ending the program, which helped pair businesses seeking coverage with insurers willing to sell it.
Here's a news release we sent out about it, with links to the official letter 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 without flood insurance, businesses in the heavily industrialized valley would start looking for locations elsewhere.
At our request, insurance companies agreed to
Fast forward two years: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has performed repairs on the dam, tested it, and the Corps says it is confident that the dam is again able to operate at full flood capacity. From all indications, businesses seeking flood insurance area again able to get it. That's why we're ending the program, which helped pair businesses seeking coverage with insurers willing to sell it.
Here's a news release we sent out about it, with links to the official letter ending the program.
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