Dave Bogdon’s letter (“Insurance change is fair for all,” Our Readers’ Views, Nov. 13) is a little short on details regarding Mike Kreidler’s actions to remove good credit score insurance discounts.
First of all, Washington is only the fifth state to move in this direction. There are 45 other states that don’t think it’s such a good idea. Our insurance commissioner knew of the pending damage to senior citizens, but proceeded anyway. These increases are not 4 or 5 percent but more like a staggering 30 to 50 percent increase in both auto and homeowner policies depending on your credit score (this was done during a period of high inflation).
I am glad Bogdon is able to absorb these punitive increases and feels obligated to do so, but most low-income seniors are not. These are overnight, devastating increases with no prior warning. Kreidler completely avoided the Legislature where the issue could have been debated and a better resolution attained by more input from all parties. Unfortunately Kreidler chose to ignore those actions to proceed entirely on his own. Yes, Bogdon, Kreidler is totally to blame and not the insurance companies.
