What would Referendum 67 do?
Why do we need Referendum 67?
Who supports the Approve 67 campaign?
How does Referendum 67 work for consumers?
Who’s really behind the Reject 67 campaign?
Can’t I just file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner?
Will Referendum 67 increase my insurance premiums?
How can I support the Approve 67 campaign?
What would Referendum 67 do?
Referendum 67 simply requires insurers to pay legitimate claims in a reasonable and timely manner. The measure would help to assure that the insurance industry treat all policyholders fairly and honestly by making it against the law for insurers to knowingly delay or deny claims unless they have a reasonable basis for suspecting a claim is fraudulent.
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Why do we need Referendum 67?
Thousands of consumers in Washington file complaints against insurance companies every year because legitimate claims have been unfairly denied or delayed, according to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Under our current law, there is no real penalty for insurance companies that do not deal honestly with consumers. Unfortunately, some bad companies abuse the system by intentionally denying or delaying payment of legitimate claims.
If an insurance company unfairly denies a legitimate claim, your only recourse is to sue. But if you win, the only thing they have to pay is the amount of the original claim. Referendum 67 creates an incentive to treat legitimate claims fairly by allowing the court to assess penalties if an insurance company illegally denies or delays payment of a legitimate claim.
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Who supports the Approve 67 campaign?
Governor Chris Gregoire, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and more than 100 organizations have joined the Approve 67 campaign, including consumer groups, seniors, firefighters and teachers. Sixteen newspapers from around the state also endorse an approve vote on Referendum 67. For a full list of endorsers, click here.
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How does Referendum 67 work for consumers?
Referendum 67 creates incentives for the insurance industry to treat consumers with legitimate claims fairly by allowing the court to assess penalties if an insurance company illegally denies or delays payment of a legitimate claim. You would get these penalties, not your attorney.
Thousands of citizens suffer lost wages and can’t pay their mortgages or hospital bills while the insurance industry delays or denies claims. Meanwhile, consumers default on mortgages, miss life-saving treatments for injuries or suffer major credit problems as unpaid bills go to collection agencies.
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Who’s really behind the Reject 67 campaign?
The insurance industry has raised more than $11.7 million to launch a campaign to deceive consumers. They have created phony consumer websites and have created a million-dollar television advertising campaign with the hopes of defeating the Approve 67 campaign on Nov. 6 – Election Day.
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Can’t I just file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner?
Consumers can file a complaint with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner if they believe an insurance company is treating them unfairly. However, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner does not have the legal authority to represent individuals in their disputes with insurance companies and cannot require an insurance company to pay individual claims.
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Will Referendum 67 increase my insurance premiums?
No. Referendum 67 does not address insurance premiums in any way. Insurance premiums in Washington have consistently risen and fallen with the market. In fact, the insurance industry continues to be one of the most profitable industries in the state and nation, as profits have skyrocketed to record highs in the last two years.
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How can I support the Approve 67 campaign?
The Approve 67 campaign needs your vote on Nov. 6 - Election Day. Make sure you are registered to vote: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx
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