Washblog

Dear Noemie,

Please join me in voting to Approve Referendum 67 this November.

Every year, my office receives thousands of complaints from auto owners, homeowners, property owners, and small business owners about delays and denials of legitimate insurance claims.

That's unacceptable -- and that's why I'm urging all Washington voters to Approve Referendum 67.

Please join me and show your support for Referendum 67 -- invite your friends and family to sign the Approve 67 online petition now!

Consumers just want their insurance companies to honor the commitments they made to them. Referendum 67 will help ensure that insurance companies treat Washington consumers fairly.  It's a common sense ballot measure that's good for the hard-working people of our state.

Unfortunately, the insurance industry is threatening to spend nearly $8 million to try to defeat Referendum 67 with a campaign of misinformation.  So let me help set the record straight:

• Auto and homeowner insurance premiums will not go up because of Referendum 67.  The fact is that if insurance companies treat their own policyholders the way they are required to be treated by law, insurance rates won't change.  The only insurance companies with something to fear are those who make a practice of acting in bad faith with their own customers.
• Health insurance premiums will not go up because of Referendum 67.  The fact is that health insurance plans are specifically excluded from being covered.
• Insurers will not be deluged by frivolous claims because of Referendum 67.  Referendum 67 simply requires insurance companies to pay legitimate claims in a timely fashion and makes it illegal if they don't. Insurance companies playing by the rules will not have any additional requirements under Referendum 67.
• In fact, insurance companies who treat their customers fairly will actually have an advantage in the marketplace because competitors that don't treat policyholders fairly will be subject to court-approved penalties.  What's more, all penalties assessed against an insurance company charged with unfair practices must be court-approved under Referendum 67.

Here's the bottom line:  Referendum 67 simply will make sure that insurance companies treat Washington consumers fairly.  Is that really too much to ask?

I hope you'll join me in supporting Referendum 67 -- invite your friends and family to sign the Approve 67 online petition now!

The insurance industry is spending millions of dollars to defeat this common sense initiative -- but with your support, we can spread the word and Approve 67 this November.

Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,

Mike Kreidler

Washington State Insurance Commissioner

P.S.  Please forward this email to every Washington voter you know so we can get set the record straight about Referendum 67.  It's easy to do -- and it will make a big difference when people start voting by mail in just a few weeks.