I've reached a point where I just had to vent my annoyance at the insurance industry commercials on initiative 67. Do they think if they mention the words "frivolous lawsuits" and "money in trial lawyers' pockets" enough times, people won't care what the initiative is actually about and just go along and vote "yes"?
Here is some insight into the issue: The Washington Senate, the House and the Governor have signed the Fair Conduct Act into law. This act would make it possible for consumers to sue their insurance companies for up to triple damages and for their attorneys' fees if the insurance companies deliberately deny legitimate insurance claims. The insurance companies, who make millions of dollars on delaying and denying legitimate claims, immediately crafted this initiative to stop the new law before it even takes effect. They scare the voters with the claim that frivolous lawsuits will make the insurance rates go up; and, for good measure, throw in how trial lawyers will benefit if this law was to take effect.
There was a definite need for this law, because up until now, insurance companies could deny a claim, and it was up to the consumer to take them to court. Often the consumer who files a claim has other priorities and many simply won't file. The ones that actually fight for their claims may be stuck in the courts for years, racking up attorney bills, and if they win their case will only get a claim paid that was due to them from the beginning. The insurance companies have nothing to loose and much to gain from this tactic. The new law will allow for treble damages. If the claim was shown to have been legitimate and the insurance deliberately denied it, they will have to pay up to three times the claim amount. Companies that operate in good faith will have nothing to fear from this law.
The insurance company lobby spent 8 million dollars on this ad campaign. This clearly shows how much is at stake for them. The way to protect consumer rights is to vote "NO" on initiative 67.
Here is a CNN news segment on the issue that is worth to be watched from beginning to end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPW087RiJ8
Sandy Nelson
Realtor for Olympia Area Real Estate
www.sandynelsonrealestate.com
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Yes, I am tired of hearing the insurance industry threatening me. That has been their whole campaign. They have even told us how much higher our rates will go - I hate insurance companies, really I do!!