WA Supreme Court Rules Coverage Excluded for Washington Bridge Tunnel Delays
Insurance companies don’t have to reimburse Washington state for the two years drivers couldn’t use the new Highway 99 tunnel, as a result of the boring machine Bertha’s breakdown during construction, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled.
September 15, 2022
Litigation
Washington
Judge Strikes Down State Ban on Credit-based Insurance Scores
A Washington state judge has struck down a state rule banning the use of credit-based insurance scores. On Monday, Judge Indu Thomas rendered a final order declaring that Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler exceeded his authority when he issued a permanent rule prohibiting the use of credit-based insurance scores.
August 31, 2022
Auto
Legislation & Regulation
Liability
Property
Washington
Insurers Win, Lose COVID-related Business Interruption Rulings
The Washington Supreme Court became the fifth state supreme court to rule in insurers’ favor Thursday in COVID-related business interruption litigation when it unanimously ruled against a dental practice.
August 29, 2022
Litigation
Property
California
Washington
More Sweeping Cellphone Laws Reduce Crash Rates
It’s common knowledge that texting while driving is illegal in most places. But what about tapping the screen of your cellphone to accept a faster route suggested by Google Maps? What if your phone is mounted on the dashboard? What if you’re stopped at a red light?
August 9, 2022
Auto
Legislation & Regulation
California
Oregon
Washington
Climate And Wildfire Risk: A Conversation With Dr. Craig Clements
‘Climate change has its fingerprints all over’ the increasingly costly wildfire activity we’ve seen in recent years, says Triple-I non-resident scholar Dr. Craig Clements, even though most fires are ignited by people.
July 26, 2022
Catastrophe
Property
California
Oregon
Texas
Washington
Whistleblower From Staff Of Washington Insurance Commissioner Fired
The office of Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has fired a top aide who in February formally complained that Kreidler had bullied him, used crass language and was increasingly ‘antagonizing staff.’
June 20, 2022
Insurance Industry
Washington
Washington Commissioner Again Bans Use Of Credit Scores For Underwriting
Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has again banned the use of credit ratings in insurance pricing.
February 2, 2022
Legislation & Regulation
Washington
Ruling Is Instructive Of Biometric-Related Claims And Insurance
As part of the larger trend of invasion of privacy claims asserted by employees or consumers against businesses, several states have recently passed legislation that sets forth requirements for the collection, storing and dissemination of biometric information such as fingerprints, voice recordings and even keystroke patterns.
December 1, 2021
Liability
Litigation
Illinois
New York
Washington
Pineapple Express Brings Worst Flooding In 31 Years To Whatcom County, Washington
Emergency officials in Whatcom County called it the worst flooding since 1990, and more is still to come.
November 15, 2021
Auto
Property
Washington
GEICO Campaigns To Fill Insurance Company Jobs In Competitive Market
GEICO has been making a concerted effort to attract applicants to fill hundreds of insurance company jobs it is opening and that need workers before the end of the year.
October 12, 2021
Education & Training
Arizona
Washington
Insured Versus Insured Exclusion Does Not Bar Coverage for Claims Brought by Member of Insured LLC
Applying Washington law, a federal district court has held that an insured versus insured exclusion does not bar coverage for claims asserted by a member of an insured limited liability company.
September 10, 2021
Litigation
Washington
Patients Could Get ER Bills as Insurer Moves to Deny Claims it Deems Non-Emergent
Insurance giant UnitedHealthcare is cracking down on unnecessary emergency room visits with a new policy starting July 1 that the American Hospital Association says will jeopardize patients’ health and threaten them with financial penalties.
June 10, 2021
Life & Health
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Hundreds of Covid Insurance Suits Tossed in Washington State
Travelers Casualty Insurance Co. of America and several other major insurers defeated Covid-19 coverage challenges from hundreds of businesses, after a federal judge in Washington state found that the pandemic didn’t cause the physical property damage required for their policies to apply.
June 2, 2021
Litigation
Washington
Former Auto Claims Adjusters Contradict Insurers’ Comments To Washington Lawmakers
Former American Family and GEICO adjusters on Monday described their carriers as focused on cost and indifferent to safety in comments to Washington state lawmakers.
February 16, 2021
Auto
Legislation & Regulation
Washington
Train Cars Carrying Crude Oil Derail And Burn North Of Seattle
Seven train cars carrying crude oil derailed Tuesday and five caught fire, sending a large black plume of smoke into the sky north of Seattle close to the Canadian border, authorities said.
December 23, 2020
Excess & Surplus Lines
Washington
