Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer has fined two major insurance companies a combined $230,000 for violations in claim handling and regulatory compliance.
The insurance commissioner's office fined USAA Casualty Insurance Co. $140,000 for unfair or deceptive acts or practices in handling auto claims. Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Co. was fined $90,000 for claim handling violations and for failing to follow the state's premium change transparency rule.
"We take our role as a consumer protection agency seriously," Kuderer said. "These orders, and the actions we've taken against insurers for failing to meet their obligations to policyholders when processing their claims, are a testament to that work."
The state has also updated its rules for minimum claim handling standards, which take effect Oct. 18.