OIC Answers on Insurance

Latest Episodes:

Wildfire preparation and your home insurance May 19, 2025

Show notes

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. What do wildfires mean for your insurance? Recurring guest David Forte, Senior Property and Casualty Policy Advisor, is on hand to talk about how fire threats impact insurance costs and what we’ve learned from the claims data after the Gray and Oregon Road fires.

Guy Gifford, with the Department of Natural Resources’Community Wildfire Resistance Program, also joins the podcast to talk about how to prepare for fire season and what resources DNR can provide.

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What does climate change mean to the insurance industry? May 15, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of OIC Answers, Commissioner Patty Kuderer kicks off her 2025 Climate Education Series by chatting with Senior Climate Policy Advisor Jay Bruns about his work on climate change, what role the office plays in climate work on the international stage, and how studying climate data is important for effective regulation of the insurance market.

The 2025 Climate Education Series is a set of video presentations covering different aspects of climate and insurance work and highlighting the effort of different individuals and groups to study or mitigate climate change. Follow along at insurance.wa.gov or on our social media channels for updates.

Mental Health Awareness Month and your coverage May 12, 2025

Show notes

It’s May, which means it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. But what rights to do you have when it comes to your health insurance covering mental health treatment? This episode of the OIC Answers podcast includes a member of the OIC’s Consumer Advocacy team to discuss how your treatment has to be covered, what the most common questions are about mental health coverage, and what mental health parity entails.

If you’re having issues with your insurance, you can file a complaint online at insurance.wa.gov or chat with someone virtually or via phone at 800-562-6900.

Sens. Lovick & Slatter on wrapping up the 2025 legislative session Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

The podcast is back at the Capitol to meet with two lawmakers about their role in two pieces of action from the 2025 legislative session and how each one helps insurance consumers in Washington state.

First, Sen. John Lovick from the 44th district chats with Commissioner Patty Kuderer about SB 5419, which changes how insurance companies report data from fire claims.

Then, Sen. Vandana Slatter (48th district) talks about the budget proviso to help fund the SHIBA program and how important it is to help people with their Medicare issues.

Sen. Bob Hasegawa on the credit scoring study bill Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

The OIC Answers podcast is back at the Capitol to talk shop with a lawmaker. This week, Senator Bob Hasegawa — Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus from District 11 — joins Commissioner Kuderer to talk about Senate Bill 5589, which the OIC requested and Hasegawa sponsored.

SB 5589 asks the OIC to conduct a study on how insurance companies use credit history, credit-based insurance scores and other rate factors that may have disparate impacts on Washington residents. The study would also explore alternatives to credit scoring that companies could use in determining premiums.

Commissioner Kuderer and Senator Hasegawa cover why the bill matters, what it entails, where funding for the study comes from, how the insurance industry feels about the bill and where it’s at in the legislative process.

Why did Sen. Adrian Cortes sponsor Senate Bill 5331? Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

OIC Answers has moved to the Capitol for the time being, setting up the mics and mixing board in the Insurance Building for a few legislative session-inspired episodes. In this episode, Senator Adrian Cortes (D-Battle Ground) joins Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to discuss Senate Bill 5331 (“Strengthening consumer protection through increased insurer accountability for violations of the insurance code.”)

Learn more on our website or on our previous episode introducing the bill.

What’s it like to help people with Medicare? Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

“Most people have done their own homework and are just looking for validation that they’re not crazy.”

The OIC Answers podcast sits down with SHIBA volunteer Charlie Sheldon to talk about how he got involved, how people react to getting free Medicare counseling, and the time commitment that comes with training.

Last year, the 200-some advisors in our SHIBA program helped about 40,000 people with one-on-one support. That’s free, unbiased advice, whether it’s about using the Medicare site, giving presentations, reviewing letters beneficiaries got in the mail, checking for potential fraud, or just comparing options and plans during open enrollment.

If you’d like to get involved, visit www.insurance.wa.gov/SHIBA and fill out the web form on that page.

What do you mean it’s not real insurance? Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Over 120 people in Washington state have filed complaints with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner about Quick Health, alleging the sham health insurance company owes them a total of nearly $800,000 in restitution for unpaid claims and premium refunds.

Two members of the OIC’s Investigations team — Jessica Bullington and Ed Steiner — join the podcast to discuss how Quick Health showed up on the OIC’s radar, how the company operated, how many policies the company sold, what action has been taken and how you can make sure you’re buying insurance from a legitimate company.

Can you get me my money back? Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

“It’s our job to protect the consumer and to be their advocate, and this bill is part of doing that.”

Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer returns to OIC Answers to discuss House Bill 1199 & Senate Bill 5331, which grants the Insurance Commissioner the authority to require insurance entities in violation of the law to pay restitution to their victims.

Learn more about the bills here. (www.insurance.wa.gov/news/kuderer-testify-request-bill-ordering-restitution-wronged-policyholders)

Welcoming Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Patty Kuderer was sworn in to office on Wednesday, Jan. 15, to become Washington state’s ninth Insurance Commissioner. In this episode of OIC Answers, Commissioner Kuderer discusses her vision for the next four years, the goal of providing access to quality healthcare to everyone at a price they can afford, changes in the home and auto insurance markets, the insurance commissioner’s role as a consumer advocate and what to serve comedian Eric Idle for dinner.

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