Around the PIA Western Alliance States

Commissioner Lara ordered the FAIR Plan, California’s homeowners insurance safety net, to implement a more comprehensive policy option in addition to its current fire-only policy. Currently, consumers must purchase a separate “difference in conditions” policy to have protection from liability and other perils typically covered by a homeowners policy.

The judge previously upheld the Commissioner’s authority to protect consumers in July 2021.
 
“California consumers win when they have greater options for insurance coverage. The FAIR Plan, once again, has tried to put up roadblocks and deny consumers choice and, once again, a judge has ruled that they must comply with my order. By reaffirming that the FAIR Plan needs to implement a more comprehensive coverage option for homeowners, Judge Strobel’s decision is another victory for consumers.
 
“The FAIR Plan needs to stop delaying and move forward with giving consumers more choice. My Department of Insurance is ready to work with the FAIR Plan to make that coverage available for consumers as soon as possible, just as we continue to push for increased FAIR Plan coverage for commercial businesses.”

Washington — Implementation of E2SHB 1477 and Consolidated Health Care Rulemaking (R 2021-16) proposed rule posted: We have released updated proposed rule language on R2021-16. The proposed rule implements E2SHB 1477 concerning access to next day appointments required in the legislation. It also consolidates rulemaking to ensure that rules related to recently enacted legislation that also amend WAC 284-170-280 are adopted by the OIC. These rules will facilitate implementation of recent laws by ensuring that all affected health care entities understand their rights and obligations.

We have scheduled a public hearing on the rule:

When:  March 24, 2022 at 10:00AM
Where: Register for the public hearing via zoom
Comments on the proposed rule language are due March 24, 2022; please send them to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.

For more information, including the proposed rule language (Supplemental CR-102), please visit the rule’s webpage.  

Washington — Department of Licensing Hacked: The Washington State Department of Licensing has been hacked and it is possible that millions of licensed professionals may have been exposed.

The agency takes care of 40 categories of businesses and professionals and tracks 257,000 licenses. It learned of the hack in January and temporarily shut down its online platform. All data is stored on a system called POLARIS. Information stored there includes Social Security numbers, birth dates and driver’s licenses.

At this point no one knows how much data was accessed or who has been affected.

Source link: Insurance Journal

Washington — Kreidler names Michael Wood chief deputy insurance commissioner: Insurance Commissioner: Mike Kreidler announced that Michael Wood will serve as the agency’s new chief deputy commissioner.

Wood joined the office in October 2021 after serving as administrator for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Oregon. While there, he oversaw a staff of 200 people who are responsible for workplace safety and health for all workers in Oregon. Before his time in Oregon, Wood worked at the Washington Department of Labor and Industries and the state Legislature. Wood earned a bachelor’s degree in English and political science from Gonzaga University.

“Michael brings an array of experience in strategic planning, regulatory and legislative strategies, management and unemployment insurance,” Kreidler said. “He led the state of Oregon’s occupational safety efforts during the height of the COVID pandemic and has proven to be a strong, steady leader in his short time with our agency.”

Wood replaces former Chief Deputy Commissioner Mark Dietzler, who resigned to return to the private sector as an attorney.