According to a report recently released by the Washington Insurance Commissioner’s Office, unsatisfactory settlement offers were the top reason Washington residents filed complaints against their insurance companies in 2008. Other top reasons included denial of claims and delays in processing claims. Additionally, the report noted that the Insurance Commissioner’s Office received some 5,341 complaints in [...]

The Governor recently signed ESSB 5531, which will amend the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA). Effective July 26, 2009, the courts will have the discretion to award treble damages up to $25,000 for consumer law violations. In addition, ESSB 5531 modifies the test set forth in Hangman Ridge v. Safeco Title Ins. Co., making it [...]

On December 6, 2007, the Insurance Fair Conduct Act became effective as Washington law. The Insurance Fair Conduct Act provides that a policyholder has a claim against his or her insurance company if the policyholder is “unreasonably denied a claim for coverage or payment of benefits.” RCW 48.30.015. If the policyholder is successful, then they [...]