Washington and Montana Elect New Insurance Commissioners

Washington Democrat Patricia Kuderer is the state’s new insurance commissioner. She replaces Mike Kreidler who is retiring after 24 years in the position. Kuderer won 57.2% of the vote over Republican and Washington State Sen. Phil Fortunato.

Kuderer says she’s “deeply honored” for the trust placed in her and promises to put people over profit. Her goals are to do something about growing, and sometimes unaffordable, insurance rates. Kuderer also wants to address insurance competition and look at improving consumer protections.

Another goal is to delve into access to healthcare. Kuderer is known to support universal healthcare and wants legislation to require gun owners to carry insurance.

Montana Republican James Brown has won the state auditor and insurance commissioner race over Democrat John Repke. Brown took 62% of the vote to Repke’s 38%.

He replaces Troy Downing who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In an interview with the Montana Free Press, Brown pledged to address problems with insurance companies pulling out of the state’s urban-wilderness areas and no longer insuring homes in those areas.

“The best way to protect against insurance companies leaving the state is by creating a regulatory environment that makes Montana attractive to do business in,” Brown said. “Additionally, incentives could be offered to property or homeowners who undertake their own mitigation efforts. Insurance agents can also be a tremendous asset in this regard because they are on the most local level and will be most accessible to the consumer.”

Source link: Insurance Business America — https://bit.ly/4fFIIT5

Source link: Montana Free Press — https://bit.ly/3YJj74Y