Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued more than $2 million in fines against insurers, agents and brokers last year.

Violations resulting in fines included charging customers for coverage they had not agreed to or using unapproved rates, having unlicensed employees sell policies and failing to register with the state, according to a news release.

The total for 2012 was more than the previous year's $1.4 million.

Fines collected by the insurance commissioner's office are deposited in the state's general fund to pay for other state services.

"Ideally, we'd have full compliance and no fines," Kreidler said.

"But the reality is that sometimes it takes a fine to get a company to address problems. And in many cases, these fines were accompanied by compliance plans aimed at making sure the problems don't recur."