Auto insurance companies fined, customers refunded

SEATTLE -- The state’s insurance commissioner is getting tough with companies guilty of overcharging policy holders.

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler recently fined four companies a total of $100,000 for charging too much for car insurance.

According to Kreidler’s office, Hartford Accident and Indemnity Co., Hartford Casualty Insurance Co., Hartford Insurance Co. of the Midwest and Trumbull Insurance Co. erroneously charged higher premiums to nearly 4,800 customers between 2009 and 2013.

Those companies reported the error to Kreidler’s office, as required by law. They’ve agreed to pay the fine and have already refund policy holders more than $1 million in excess charges plus interest.