We're rolling out new consumer tools for the new year, including an easy way to look up past violations and complaints against insurers and agents.
The insurance commissioner’s website now includes a “consumer toolkit” that offers:
• Easy-to understand information on different types of insurance.
• Online filing – and tracking – of complaints against an insurance company.
• Online filing of complaints against an insurance agent or broker.
• And a new system to look up contact information, licensing history, past violations and consumer complaints against agents or companies.
The agency also continues to expand its website and its social media presence, including a new page on Facebook.
Kamis, 30 Desember 2010
Selasa, 28 Desember 2010
Job opening: Financial examiner
We're looking for a person to fill a financial examiner 3 position in our company supervision division, which is located in Seattle. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday.
The successful applicant will plan, conduct, and lead in-the-field financial examinations of insurance companies and other entities that our agency regulates. Duties include:
For more details, please see the job announcement.
The successful applicant will plan, conduct, and lead in-the-field financial examinations of insurance companies and other entities that our agency regulates. Duties include:
Examines and analyzes annual financial statements, actuarial opinions, management discussions and analyses, audited financial statements, holding company statements, quarterly financial statements, financial ratios, and other sources of information to discern financial condition, difficulties, trends, statutory compliance, accuracy, and completeness.
For more details, please see the job announcement.
Senin, 27 Desember 2010
Stranded traveler? Here are some things to check
The weather on the East Coast has clearly scrambled plans for a lot of travelers this holiday; here are some tips that might help as you sort out your plans for getting home.
If you're wondering what your rights are, do an online search for the name of your airline and the words "contract of carriage." (Here, for example, is a summary of United's.) This is your contract with the carrier. If you feel they're violating it, you can file a complaint here. The bad news: Travel experts say that airlines generally aren't obligated to provide meals or a hotel if the problem is weather-related.
Also, if you used a credit card to buy the ticket, check with your credit card company. Cards come with a variety of perks, and you may have trip coverage without knowing it. Mastercard, for example, offers many cardholders reimbursement for lost or delayed baggage and trip cancellation insurance, as long as the tickets were paid for with an eligible MasterCard card.
For general information on travel insurance, see our page on this topic, which spells out the types of coverage and what they mean, in plain language. We're not trying to sell you anything; we're the state agency that regulates insurance in Washington state.
Lastly, here's the list of toll-free numbers for airlines.
Good luck.
If you're wondering what your rights are, do an online search for the name of your airline and the words "contract of carriage." (Here, for example, is a summary of United's.) This is your contract with the carrier. If you feel they're violating it, you can file a complaint here. The bad news: Travel experts say that airlines generally aren't obligated to provide meals or a hotel if the problem is weather-related.
Also, if you used a credit card to buy the ticket, check with your credit card company. Cards come with a variety of perks, and you may have trip coverage without knowing it. Mastercard, for example, offers many cardholders reimbursement for lost or delayed baggage and trip cancellation insurance, as long as the tickets were paid for with an eligible MasterCard card.
For general information on travel insurance, see our page on this topic, which spells out the types of coverage and what they mean, in plain language. We're not trying to sell you anything; we're the state agency that regulates insurance in Washington state.
Lastly, here's the list of toll-free numbers for airlines.
Good luck.
Tool to compare insurance companies by the number of complaints
One of the most-used features of our website is our "Complaint Comparison Tool," a free and simple online tool that lets you compare the number of complaints filed by consumers against different insurance companies.
The information's broken down by year and by type of insurance (health, life, homeowners, auto, etc.). It also compares the number of complaints to an insurer's market share, which makes for easy apples-to-apples comparisons with other companies.
Take a look. We've posted 5 years' worth of data, and should be posting more soon.
The information's broken down by year and by type of insurance (health, life, homeowners, auto, etc.). It also compares the number of complaints to an insurer's market share, which makes for easy apples-to-apples comparisons with other companies.
Take a look. We've posted 5 years' worth of data, and should be posting more soon.
Rabu, 22 Desember 2010
Job opening: Chief market analyst
Our office is looking for a chief market analyst to fill an opening at our Tumwater office.
The person will manage staff performing market analysis, and help ensure that companies are acting within the scope of their license and are complying with laws and regulations.
Here's the job listing, which has much more detail about qualifications, salary, etc.
The critical part: Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2010.
Also, here's a handy online tool from careers.wa.gov that can e-mail you information about any job openings at state agencies, universities, etc.
The person will manage staff performing market analysis, and help ensure that companies are acting within the scope of their license and are complying with laws and regulations.
Here's the job listing, which has much more detail about qualifications, salary, etc.
The critical part: Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2010.
Also, here's a handy online tool from careers.wa.gov that can e-mail you information about any job openings at state agencies, universities, etc.
Selasa, 21 Desember 2010
We're expanding our social media presence
As a small agency with a broad consumer-protection mission, one of our hardest jobs is simply getting the word out to consumers that we can help them. Increasingly, we're turning to social media tools to help spread the word.
In the summer of 2009, we launched this blog, which is getting thousands of visitors a month. Shortly thereafter, we set up a Twitter feed, which we believe is now the second-largest among state insurance departments nationwide. From what we can tell, the blog tends to attract consumers Googling around for information. Our Twitter followers tend to be industry folks: agents, brokers and insurers.
Now we've launched an agency Facebook page. We're hardly the first Washington state agency to do so (Here's the list, put together by the good people at access.wa.gov), but surprisingly few insurance departments are using this tool. We'll see how it goes.
In the summer of 2009, we launched this blog, which is getting thousands of visitors a month. Shortly thereafter, we set up a Twitter feed, which we believe is now the second-largest among state insurance departments nationwide. From what we can tell, the blog tends to attract consumers Googling around for information. Our Twitter followers tend to be industry folks: agents, brokers and insurers.
Now we've launched an agency Facebook page. We're hardly the first Washington state agency to do so (Here's the list, put together by the good people at access.wa.gov), but surprisingly few insurance departments are using this tool. We'll see how it goes.
Senin, 20 Desember 2010
Where to look if you can't afford health coverage
We've put together a list of resources, suggestions and alternatives for folks who cannot find affordable health coverage. Our "can't afford health care coverage" page includes links and information about:
- community clinics and local free clinics,
- state-offered health coverage,
- free cancer screenings
- hospital charity care
- dental exams and treatment
- and specific programs for certain diseases or disabilities.
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