The lowdown on R-67
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It's a battle of the big bucks. Trial lawyers and insurance companies are spending millions to get your vote on Referendum 67.
Have you been the victim of a fire? Or been in a traffic accident? The insurance commissioner says insurance companies may low ball your loss. That why he backs Referendum 67:
"This is another tool for consumers," said State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler. "It gives consumers a chance to have some real standing when they deal with their insurance company if there's a challenge on a claim."
Insurance companies say a new state law to allow triple damages for rejected or low balled claims will just hurt you.
"You can't have this expansion of liability and not have us pick up the tab for it," said Dana Childers of Reject R-67. "So, it's about $205 that the average household will pay."
Childers claims $205 is what you'll pay in higher premiums.
The measure doesn't cover health insurance, but the ads bring up health issues.
A Yes on R-67 ad has a firefighter's daughter talking about her dad and leukemia:
"My father would have given his life in the line of duty," the commercial said. "Turns out the insurance company took it instead."
But a No on R-67 ad countered: " It's wrong to lie, but that's what trial lawyers are doing with this commercial. A tragic story that has nothing to do with insurance companies or R-67."
Firefighters insist the leukemia was job related, and for that reason should have been covered.
By why raise health issues on a measure that's got more to do with fires, floods and car accidents? Kreidler believes the ad wars symbolize something not on the ballot. He says the insurance companies worry about what trial lawyers will try next.
"That explains to me why you would spend up to $10 million from the big insurance companies to fight an issue here in the State of Washington. It doesn't fit otherwise."
Childers countered, "This is just the first step. Expansion of liability from here will only get bigger and the cost for you and I will only become greater."
It comes down to whom do you trust, insurance companies or trial lawyers? It's your decision November 6th.
Have you been the victim of a fire? Or been in a traffic accident? The insurance commissioner says insurance companies may low ball your loss. That why he backs Referendum 67:
"This is another tool for consumers," said State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler. "It gives consumers a chance to have some real standing when they deal with their insurance company if there's a challenge on a claim."
Insurance companies say a new state law to allow triple damages for rejected or low balled claims will just hurt you.
"You can't have this expansion of liability and not have us pick up the tab for it," said Dana Childers of Reject R-67. "So, it's about $205 that the average household will pay."
Childers claims $205 is what you'll pay in higher premiums.
The measure doesn't cover health insurance, but the ads bring up health issues.
A Yes on R-67 ad has a firefighter's daughter talking about her dad and leukemia:
"My father would have given his life in the line of duty," the commercial said. "Turns out the insurance company took it instead."
But a No on R-67 ad countered: " It's wrong to lie, but that's what trial lawyers are doing with this commercial. A tragic story that has nothing to do with insurance companies or R-67."
Firefighters insist the leukemia was job related, and for that reason should have been covered.
By why raise health issues on a measure that's got more to do with fires, floods and car accidents? Kreidler believes the ad wars symbolize something not on the ballot. He says the insurance companies worry about what trial lawyers will try next.
"That explains to me why you would spend up to $10 million from the big insurance companies to fight an issue here in the State of Washington. It doesn't fit otherwise."
Childers countered, "This is just the first step. Expansion of liability from here will only get bigger and the cost for you and I will only become greater."
It comes down to whom do you trust, insurance companies or trial lawyers? It's your decision November 6th.
