This week, Washington insurance companies must inform customers of the reasons behind any rate hikes for their auto and home insurance policies. The new transparency measures – implemented in response to increased complaints due to skyrocketing rates –will be rolled out in two stages. The rule’s first phase, starting Saturday, mandates that renewal notices or billing statements include a disclaimer about requesting more details on premium increases. Insurers must provide a clear, written explanation in response to such requests. The second phase, beginning June 1, 2027, requires insurers to notify customers 20 days before any rate hike of 10% or more, detailing the primary factors for the increase.

Factors can include claims history, demographic information, and specific elements related to auto and home insurance – interestingly enough, the new transparency measure fails to mention factors related to Democrats’ burdensome policies and failed laws. For example, while certainly not the only leftist idea causing rate hikes, the legalization of marijuana has likely caused automobile insurance to increase. A 2018 article from The Society of Actuaries notes the following:

“The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently published a paper on marijuana use and driving titled, ‘Marijuana use and Driving in Washington State: Opinions and Behaviors Before and After Implementation of Retail Sales.’ The most interesting finding in the report was that the ‘prevalence of daytime THC-positive drivers increased substantially a few months after retail sales of marijuana were legal.’”

The article then goes on to note:

“In 2017, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) produced a report on ‘Recreational Marijuana and Collision Claim Frequencies.’ The states of Colorado, Washington and Oregon permitted sales of legalized recreational marijuana in 2014/2015. In its report, the HLDI examined collision claim frequencies in these states relative to nearby states. This comparison showed frequencies 4.5 percent to 13.9 percent higher in the states with legalized recreational marijuana. The HLDI report then examined these three states against states where the claim frequencies were highly correlated before the legalization of recreational marijuana. The report noted that ‘The legalization of retail sales was associated with a 2.7 percent increase in collision claim frequencies.’”

And, finally, the article concludes:

“Automobile insurers should pay close attention to claim trends in areas with accessible legalized marijuana. It is likely that these areas will show increasing claim costs (relative to other areas) and rates should be revised to reflect it. This will mean policyholders in these areas will likely pay more for their automobile insurance.”

Of course, the legalization of marijuana is just one of Democrats many failed policies that have – inadvertently or not – placed a higher cost burden on working families across our state. So, perhaps one of the “factors” that insurance companies should list for why customers’ insurance rates are increasing is years of Democrats’ failed leadership.

Surprise, surprise – the so-called WA Cares program is proving insufficient to cover long-term care costs, with recent data showing a significant rise in care expenses. As the Washington Policy Center points out, home care costs increased by 14.2% last year, and Genworth Financial reports continued upward trends across various long-term care services. Currently, a part-time home health aide costs $42,848 annually, while WA Cares only offers a $36,500 lifetime benefit. Turns out, the benefit amount has failed to keep up with inflation, remaining stagnant since the program’s inception in 2019. The program’s first cost-of-living adjustment isn’t expected until 2027, by which time the benefit will be significantly behind actual costs. As with so many of Democrats’ polices, the long term care tax provides false hope, with many workers not qualifying despite paying into the system. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

Washington is set to receive about $1.6 billion in settlement funds from companies implicated in the opioid epidemic. This includes approximately $373 million for local governments from a national settlement and $645 million from various state settlements until 2038. A significant portion of the nationwide settlement, over $4.3 billion, has already been distributed, with Washington cities and counties receiving approximately $57 million by late February.

So how are our state’s largest counties spending their allocated settlement funds?

Projects in Spokane County, supported by $7.2 million in approved funds, aim to expand crisis stabilization services and provide support for families affected by addiction.

Snohomish County plans to introduce a mobile treatment van, funded entirely by settlement dollars, to provide crucial medications for patients with opioid-use disorder.

Pierce County is in the process of developing robust plans for its settlement funds, which may include initiatives such as mobile health treatment vans and behavioral health hubs.

In Clark County, funds are being administered by Carelon Behavioral Health, with grants awarded to community organizations for prevention, treatment programs, and recovery services. These efforts include increasing access to medication for opioid-use disorder among incarcerated individuals and supporting naloxone distribution networks.

Finally, in King County, an average of $3.4 million annually from 2022 to 2038 is earmarked for addressing “disparities” resulting from the opioid crisis, with 75% allocated to community organizations. The community organizations have yet to be picked – but, if the county’s track record is considered, one can assume that the money will be wasted. And, for those in need, that’s a tragedy. Read more at the Washington State Standard.

It’s never wise to use Seattle as an example for anything…

Bob Ferguson just can’t help it… he’s a hypocrite. 

Rep. Pramila Jayapal delivers yet another lesson in political cowardice…

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