Office of the Insurance Commissioner Archives

Legislative Focus Shines on Insurance Reforms in Washington State

April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 Nordstrom

Senate Bill 5419 Aims to Overhaul Fire Loss Data Collection Washington’s Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer has thrown her legislative weight behind Senate Bill 5419, an initiative that proposes shifting the responsibility for collecting fire loss insurance data from the State Fire Marshal to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). The bill, approved by the Washington Senate, represents a calculated move to streamline data collection and improve regulatory oversight of fire-related insurance claims. It now awaits scheduled debate in the House of Representatives. “In its current form, the system is…

Health insurance rates set to go up in Washington

September 9, 2014September 6, 2014 Marc

Washington residents will be paying more for their insurance coverage in 2015 Health insurance in Washington may become more expensive next year. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner expects to see premiums grow by a modest degree in 2015, noting that those with coverage and those seeking coverage will be spending more money on their policies. Rates are expected to see modest growth in comparison to how much they had increased in the years leading up to federal health care reform. Insurance rates expected to increase by an average of…

Out-of-state health insurance companies may be able to sell policies in Washington

February 7, 2014February 5, 2014 Marc

Washington lawmakers mull possibility of out-of-state insurers selling policies within the state For many Washington residents, health insurance plans from last year remain cancelled. These people saw their coverage evaporate at the beginning of the year as provisions of the federal health care reform law took effect. While some insurance providers have opted to continue honoring policies that were meant to be cancelled, per a provision from the Obama Administration, many insurers have opted to keep cancelled policies cancelled. Some state lawmakers believe that action must be taken in order…