title: RCW 48.18.292

text:
(1) Each insurer shall be required to renew any contract of insurance subject to RCW 48.18.291 unless one of the following situations exists:
(a) The insurer gives the named insured at least twenty days' notice in writing as provided for in RCW 48.18.291(1), that it proposes to refuse to renew the insurance contract upon its expiration date; and sets forth therein the actual reason for refusing to renew; or
(b) At least twenty days prior to its expiration date, the insurer has communicated its willingness to renew in writing to the named insured, and has included therein a statement of the amount of the premium or portion thereof required to be paid by the insured to renew the policy, including the amount by which the premium or deductibles have changed from the previous policy period, and the date by which such payment must be made, and the insured fails to discharge when due his or her obligation in connection with the payment of such premium or portion thereof; or
(c) The insured's insurance producer has procured other coverage acceptable to the insured prior to the expiration of the policy period.
(2) Renewal of a policy shall not constitute a waiver or estoppel with respect to grounds for cancellation which existed before the effective date of such renewal.
(3) "Renewal" or "to renew" means the issuance and delivery by an insurer of a contract of insurance replacing at the end of the contract period a contract of insurance previously issued and delivered by the same insurer, or the issuance and delivery of a certificate or notice extending the term of a contract beyond its policy period or term: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That any contract of insurance with a policy period or term of six months or less whether or not made continuous for successive terms upon the payment of additional premiums shall for the purpose of RCW 48.18.291 through 48.18.297 be considered as if written for a policy period or term of six months: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That any policy written for a term longer than one year or any policy with no fixed expiration date, shall, for the purpose of RCW 48.18.291 through 48.18.297, be considered as if written for successive policy periods or terms of one year.
(4) On and after January 1, 1980, no policy of insurance subject to RCW 48.18.291 shall be issued for a policy period or term of less than six months.
(5) No insurer shall refuse to renew the liability and/or collision coverage of an automobile insurance policy on the basis that an insured covered by the policy of the insurer has submitted one or more claims under the comprehensive, road service, or towing coverage of the policy. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the nonrenewal of comprehensive, road service, or towing coverage on the basis of one or more claims submitted by an insured.
[ 2008 c 217 s 17; 1985 c 264 s 19; 1981 c 339 s 17; 1979 ex.s. c 199 s 7; 1973 1st ex.s. c 152 s 3; 1969 ex.s. c 241 s 20.]
Notes:
Severability—Effective date—2008 c 217: See notes following RCW 48.03.020.
Application—1985 c 264 ss 17-22: See note following RCW 48.18.290.
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 152: See note following RCW 48.05.140.
Construction—1969 ex.s. c 241 ss 19-25: See note following RCW 48.18.291.

catchline: Refusal to renew private automobile insurance by insurer—Change in amount of premium or deductibles.


doc_type: statute

jurisdiction: wa

title: RCW 48.18.293

text:
(1) There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against, the insurance commissioner, his or her agents, or members of his or her staff, or against any insurer, its authorized representative, its agents, its employees, or any firm, person or corporation furnishing to the insurer information as to reasons for cancellation or refusal to renew, for any statement made by any of them in any written notice of cancellation or refusal to renew, or in any other communications, oral or written, specifying the reasons for cancellation or refusal to renew or the providing of information pertaining thereto, or for statements made or evidence submitted in any hearing conducted in connection therewith.
(2) Proof of mailing of notice of cancellation or refusal to renew or of reasons for cancellation, to the named insured, at the latest address filed with the insurer by or on behalf of the named insured shall be sufficient proof of notice.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7070; 1969 ex.s. c 241 s 21.]
Notes:
Construction—1969 ex.s. c 241 ss 19-25: See note following RCW 48.18.291.

license: public-domain-government-work

rule_set: Revised Code of Washington

catchline: Nonliability of commissioner, agents, insurer for information giving reasons for cancellation or refusal to renew—Proof of mailing of notice.

code: rcw

unit: section

court: Washington State Legislature


title: RCW 48.18.295

text:
Nothing in RCW 48.18.290 through 48.18.297 shall be construed to prevent the cancellation or nonrenewal of any such insurance where:
(1) Such cancellation or nonrenewal is ordered by the commissioner under a statutory delinquency proceeding commenced under the provisions of chapter 48.31 RCW, or
(2) Permission for such cancellation or nonrenewal has been given by the commissioner on a showing that the continuation of such coverage can reasonably be expected to create a condition in the company hazardous to its policyholder, or to its creditors, or to its members, subscribers, or stockholders, or to the public.
[ 1985 c 264 s 21; 1969 ex.s. c 241 s 22; 1967 ex.s. c 95 s 2.]
Notes:
Application—1985 c 264 ss 17-22: See note following RCW 48.18.290.
Construction—1969 ex.s. c 241 ss 19-25: See note following RCW 48.18.291.
Severability—1967 ex.s. c 95: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons and circumstances is not affected." [ 1967 ex.s. c 95 s 16.]

catchline: RCW 48.18.290 through 48.18.297 not to prevent cancellation or nonrenewal, when.


title: RCW 48.18.296

text:
The provisions of RCW 48.18.291 through 48.18.297 shall not apply to:
(1) Contracts of insurance issued under the assigned risk plan;
(2) Any policy covering garage, automobile sales agency, repair shop, service station, or public parking place operation hazards; and
(3) Contracts of insurance procured under the provisions of chapter 48.15 RCW.
[ 1986 c 287 s 3; 1985 c 264 s 22; 1983 1st ex.s. c 32 s 6; 1969 ex.s. c 241 s 23.]
Notes:
Application—1985 c 264 ss 17-22: See note following RCW 48.18.290.
Construction—1969 ex.s. c 241 ss 19-25: See note following RCW 48.18.291.

catchline: Contracts to which RCW 48.18.291 through 48.18.297 inapplicable.


title: RCW 48.18.297

text:
A private passenger automobile as used in RCW 48.18.291 through 48.18.297 shall mean:
(1) An individually owned motor vehicle of the private passenger or station wagon type that is not used as a public or livery conveyance for passengers, nor rented to others.
(2) Any other individually owned four-wheel motor vehicle with a load capacity of fifteen hundred pounds or less which is not used in the occupation, profession, or business of the insured.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 241 s 24.]
Notes:
Construction—1969 ex.s. c 241 ss 19-25: See note following RCW 48.18.291.

catchline: Private passenger automobile defined.


title: RCW 48.18.298

text:
No insurer shall refuse to renew any policy of individual disability insurance issued after July 1, 1973 because of a change in the physical or mental condition or health of any person covered thereunder: PROVIDED, That after approval of the insurance commissioner, an insurer may discharge its obligation to renew the contract by obtaining for the insured coverage with another insurer which is comparable in terms of premiums and benefits.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 188 s 1.]
Notes:
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 188: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1973 1st ex.s. c 188 s 5.]

catchline: Disability insurance—Refusal to renew by insurer.


title: RCW 48.18.299

text:
No contract of insurance enumerated in RCW 48.18.298 shall be terminated by cancellation by the insurer during the period of contract except for nonpayment of premium. This section shall not be deemed to affect the right of the insurer to rescind the policy as limited and defined in RCW 48.18.090.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 188 s 2.]
Notes:
Severability—1973 1st ex.s. c 188: See note following RCW 48.18.298.

catchline: Disability insurance—Cancellation by insurer.


title: RCW 48.18.300

text:
(1) Cancellation by the insured of any policy which by its terms is cancellable at the insured's option or of any binder based on such policy may be effected by written notice thereof to the insurer or surrender of the policy or binder for cancellation prior to or on the effective date of such cancellation. In [the] event the policy or binder has been lost or destroyed and cannot be so surrendered, the insurer may in lieu of such surrender accept and in good faith rely upon the insured's written statement setting forth the fact of such loss or destruction.
(2) As soon as possible, and no later than thirty days after the receipt of the notice of cancellation from the policyholder for homeowners', dwelling fire, and private passenger auto insurance, the insurer shall pay to the insured or to the person entitled thereto as shown by the insurer's records, any unearned portion of any premium paid on the policy as computed on the customary short rate or as otherwise specified in the policy: PROVIDED, That the refund of any unearned portion of any premium paid on a contract of dwelling fire insurance, homeowners' insurance, or insurance predicated upon the use of a private passenger automobile (as defined in RCW 48.18.297 and excluding contracts of insurance and policies enumerated in RCW 48.18.296) shall be computed on a pro rata basis and the insurer shall refund not less than ninety percent of any unearned portion not exceeding one hundred dollars, plus ninety-five percent of any unearned portion over one hundred dollars but not exceeding five hundred dollars, and not less than ninety-seven percent of the amount of any unearned portion in excess of five hundred dollars. If the amount of any refund is less than two dollars, no refund need be made. If no premium has been paid on the policy, the insured shall be liable to the insurer for premium for the period during which the policy was in force.
(3) The surrender of a policy to the insurer for any cause by any person named therein as having an interest insured thereunder shall create a presumption that such surrender is concurred in by all persons so named.
(4) This section shall not apply to life insurance policies or to annuity contracts.
[ 1980 c 102 s 8; 1979 ex.s. c 199 s 8; 1955 c 303 s 16; 1947 c 79 s .18.30; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.30.]

catchline: Cancellation by insured.


title: RCW 48.18.310

text:
The commissioner may order the immediate cancellation of any policy the procuring or effectuation of which was accomplished through or accompanied by a violation of this code, except in cases where the policy by its terms is not cancellable by the insurer and the insured did not knowingly participate in any such violation.
[1947 c 79 s .18.31; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.31.]

catchline: Cancellation by commissioner.


title: RCW 48.18.320

text:
No insurance contract insuring against loss or damage through legal liability for the bodily injury or death by accident of any individual, or for damage to the property of any person, shall be retroactively annulled by any agreement between the insurer and insured after the occurrence of any such injury, death, or damage for which the insured may be liable, and any such annulment attempted shall be void.
[1947 c 79 s .18.32; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.32.]

catchline: Annulment of liability policies.


title: RCW 48.18.340

text:
(1) Every insurer issuing participating policies, shall pay dividends, unused premium refunds or savings distributed on account of any such policy, only to the real party in interest entitled thereto as shown by the insurer's records, or to any person to whom the right thereto has been assigned in writing of record with the insurer, or given in the policy by such real party in interest.
(2) Any person who is shown by the insurer's records to have paid for his or her own account, or to have been ultimately charged for, the premium for insurance provided by a policy in which another person is the nominal insured, shall be deemed such real party in interest proportionate to premium so paid or so charged. This subsection shall not apply as to any such dividend, refund, or distribution which would amount to less than one dollar.
(3) This section shall not apply to contracts of group life insurance, group annuities, or group disability insurance.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7071; 1947 c 79 s .18.34; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.34.]

catchline: Dividends payable to real party in interest.


title: RCW 48.18.350

text:
If any breach of a warranty or condition in any insurance contract occurs prior to a loss under the contract, such breach shall not avoid the contract nor avail the insurer to avoid liability, unless the breach exists at the time of the loss.
[1947 c 79 s .18.35; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.35.]

catchline: Breach of warranty prior to loss—Effect.


title: RCW 48.18.360

text:
Subject to the terms of the policy relating to its assignment, life insurance policies, other than industrial or group life insurance policies, and disability policies providing benefits for accidental death, whether such policies were heretofore or are hereafter issued, and under the terms of which the beneficiary may be changed upon the sole request of the insured, may be assigned either by pledge or transfer of title, by an assignment executed by the insured alone and delivered to the insurer, whether or not the pledgee or assignee is the insurer. Industrial life insurance policies may be made assignable only to a bank or trust company. Any such assignment shall entitle the insurer to deal with the assignee as the owner or pledgee of the policy in accordance with the terms of the assignment, until the insurer has received at its home office written notice of termination of the assignment or pledge, or written notice by or on behalf of some other person claiming some interest in the policy in conflict with the assignment.
[1947 c 79 s .18.36; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.36.]

catchline: Assignment of policies—Life and disability.


title: RCW 48.18.370

text:
Whenever the proceeds of, or payments under a life or disability insurance policy, heretofore or hereafter issued, become payable and the insurer makes payment thereof in accordance with the terms of the policy, or in accordance with any written assignment thereof pursuant to RCW 48.18.360, the person then designated in the policy or by such assignment as being entitled thereto, shall be entitled to receive such proceeds or payments and to give full acquittance therefor, and such payment shall fully discharge the insurer from all claims under the policy unless, before payment is made, the insurer has received at its home office, written notice by or on behalf of some other person that such other person claims to be entitled to such payment or some interest in the policy.
[1947 c 79 s .18.37; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.37.]

catchline: Payment discharges insurer—Life and disability.


title: RCW 48.18.375

text:
A person whose life is insured under a group insurance policy may, subject and pursuant to the terms of the policy, or pursuant to an arrangement between the insured, the group policyholder and the insurer, assign to any or all his or her spouse, children, parents, or a trust for the benefit of any or all of them, all or any part of his or her incidents of ownership, rights, title, and interests, both present and future, under such policy including specifically, but not by way of limitation, the right to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries thereunder and the right to have an individual policy issued to him in case of termination of employment or of said group insurance policy. Such an assignment by the insured, made either before or after July 16, 1973, is valid for the purpose of vesting in the assignee, in accordance with any provisions included therein as to the time at which it is to be effective, all of such incidents of ownership, rights, title, and interests so assigned, but without prejudice to the insurer on account of any payment it may make or individual policy it may issue prior to receipt of notice of the assignment. This section acknowledges, declares, and codifies the existing right of assignment of interests under group insurance policies.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7072; 1973 1st ex.s. c 163 s 3.]

catchline: Assignment of interests under group insurance policy.


title: RCW 48.18.390

text:
Where the individual insured and the beneficiary designated in a life insurance policy or policy insuring against accidental death have died and there is not sufficient evidence that they have died otherwise than simultaneously, the proceeds of the policy shall be distributed as if the insured had survived the beneficiary, unless otherwise expressly provided in the policy.
[1947 c 79 s .18.39; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.39.]
Notes:
Simultaneous death, uniform act: Chapter 11.05A RCW.

catchline: Simultaneous deaths—Payment of proceeds—Life insurance.


title: RCW 48.18.400

text:
The proceeds or avails of all contracts of disability insurance and of provisions providing benefits on account of the insured's disability which are supplemental to life insurance or annuity contracts heretofore or hereafter effected shall be exempt from all liability for any debt of the insured, and from any debt of the beneficiary existing at the time the proceeds are made available for his or her use.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7073; 1947 c 79 s .18.40; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.40.]

catchline: Exemption of proceeds—Disability.


title: RCW 48.18.410

text:
(1) The lawful beneficiary, assignee, or payee of a life insurance policy, other than an annuity, heretofore or hereafter effected by any person on his or her own life, or on the life of another, in favor of a person other than himself or herself, shall be entitled to the proceeds and avails of the policy against the creditors and representatives of the insured and of the person effecting the insurance, and such proceeds and avails shall also be exempt from all liability for any debt of such beneficiary, existing at the time the proceeds or avails are made available for his or her own use.
(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall apply
(a) whether or not the right to change the beneficiary is reserved or permitted in the policy; or
(b) whether or not the policy is made payable to the person whose life is insured or to his or her estate if the beneficiary, assignee or payee shall predecease such person; except, that this subsection shall not be construed so as to defeat any policy provision which provides for disposition of proceeds in the event the beneficiary shall predecease the insured.
(3) The exemptions provided by subsection (1) of this section, subject to the statute of limitations, shall not apply
(a) to any claim to or interest in such proceeds or avails by or on behalf of the insured, or the person so effecting the insurance, or their administrators or executors, in whatever capacity such claim is made or such interest is asserted; or
(b) to any claim to or interest in such proceeds or avails by or on behalf of any person to whom rights thereto have been transferred with intent to defraud creditors; but an insurer shall be liable to all such creditors only as to amounts aggregating not to exceed the amount of such proceeds or avails remaining in the insurer's possession at the time the insurer receives at its home office written notice by or on behalf of such creditors, of claims to recover for such transfer, with specification of the amounts claimed; or
(c) to so much of such proceeds or avails as equals the amount of any premiums or portion thereof paid for the insurance with intent to defraud creditors, with interest thereon, and if prior to the payment of such proceeds or avails the insurer has received at its home office written notice by or on behalf of the creditor, of a claim to recover for premiums paid with intent to defraud creditors, with specification of the amount claimed.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section a policy shall also be deemed to be payable to a person other than the insured if and to the extent that a facility-of-payment clause or similar clause in the policy permits the insurer to discharge its obligation after the death of the individual insured by paying the death benefits to a person as permitted by such clause.
(5) No person shall be compelled to exercise any rights, powers, options or privileges under any such policy.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7074; 1947 c 79 s .18.41; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.41.]

catchline: Exemption of proceeds—Life.


title: RCW 48.18.420

text:
(1) A policy of group life insurance or the proceeds thereof payable to the individual insured or to the beneficiary thereunder, shall not be liable, either before or after payment, to be applied to any legal or equitable process to pay any liability of any person having a right under the policy. The proceeds thereof, when not made payable to a named beneficiary or to a third person pursuant to a facility-of-payment clause, shall not constitute a part of the estate of the individual insured for the payment of his or her debts.
(2) This section shall not apply to group life insurance policies issued under RCW 48.24.040 (debtor groups) to the extent that such proceeds are applied to payment of the obligation for the purpose of which the insurance was so issued.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7075; 1947 c 79 s .18.42; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.42.]

catchline: Exemption of proceeds—Group life.


title: RCW 48.18.430

text:
(1) The benefits, rights, privileges, and options under any annuity contract that are due the annuitant who paid the consideration for the annuity contract are not subject to execution and the annuitant may not be compelled to exercise those rights, powers, or options, and creditors are not allowed to interfere with or terminate the contract, except:
(a) As to amounts paid for or as premium on an annuity with intent to defraud creditors, with interest thereon, and of which the creditor has given the insurer written notice at its home office prior to making the payments to the annuitant out of which the creditor seeks to recover. The notice must specify the amount claimed or the facts that will enable the insurer to determine the amount, and must set forth the facts that will enable the insurer to determine the insurance or annuity contract, the person insured or annuitant and the payments sought to be avoided on the basis of fraud.
(b) The total exemption of benefits presently due and payable to an annuitant periodically or at stated times under all annuity contracts may not at any time exceed three thousand dollars per month for the length of time represented by the installments, and a periodic payment in excess of three thousand dollars per month is subject to garnishee execution to the same extent as are wages and salaries.
(c) If the total benefits presently due and payable to an annuitant under all annuity contracts at any time exceeds payment at the rate of three thousand dollars per month, then the court may order the annuitant to pay to a judgment creditor or apply on the judgment, in installments, the portion of the excess benefits that the court determines to be just and proper, after due regard for the reasonable requirements of the judgment debtor and the judgment debtor's dependent family, as well as any payments required to be made by the annuitant to other creditors under prior court orders.
(2) The benefits, rights, privileges, or options accruing under an annuity contract to a beneficiary or assignee are not transferable or subject to commutation, and if the benefits are payable periodically or at stated times, the same exemptions and exceptions contained in this section for the annuitant apply to the beneficiary or assignee.
(3) An annuity contract within the meaning of this section is any obligation to pay certain sums at stated times, during life or lives, or for a specified term or terms, issued for a valuable consideration, regardless of whether or not the sums are payable to one or more persons, jointly or otherwise, but does not include payments under life insurance contracts at stated times during life or lives, or for a specified term or terms.
[ 2011 c 162 s 4; 2005 c 223 s 10; 1949 c 190 s 25; 1947 c 79 s .18.43; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.18.43.]

catchline: Exemption of proceeds, commutation—Annuities.


title: RCW 48.18.440

text:
(1) Every life insurance policy heretofore or hereafter made payable to or for the benefit of the spouse of the insured, and every life insurance policy heretofore or hereafter assigned, transferred, or in any way made payable to a spouse or to a trustee for the benefit of a spouse, regardless of how such assignment or transfer is procured, shall, unless contrary to the terms of the policy, inure to the separate use and benefit of such spouse: PROVIDED, That the beneficial interest of a spouse in a policy upon the life of a child of the spouses, however such interest is created, shall be deemed to be a community interest and not a separate interest, unless expressly otherwise provided by the policy.
(2) In any life insurance policy heretofore or hereafter issued upon the life of a spouse the designation heretofore or hereafter made by such spouse of a beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the policy, shall create a presumption that such beneficiary was so designated with the consent of the other spouse, but only as to any beneficiary who is the child, parent, brother, or sister of either of the spouses. The insurer may in good faith rely upon the representations made by the insured as to the relationship to him or her of any such beneficiary.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7076; 1947 c 79 s .18.44; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.44.]

catchline: Spouse's rights in life insurance policy.


title: RCW 48.18.450

text:
Life insurance may be made payable to a trustee to be named as beneficiary in the policy and the proceeds of such insurance paid to such trustee shall be held and disposed of by the trustee as provided in a trust agreement or declaration of trust made by the insured during his or her lifetime. It shall not be necessary to the validity of any such trust agreement or declaration of trust that it have a trust corpus other than the right of the trustee to receive such insurance proceeds as beneficiary, and any such trustee may also receive assets, other than insurance proceeds, by testamentary disposition and administer them according to the terms of the trust agreement or declaration of trust as they exist at the death of the testator.
[ 2009 c 549 s 7077; 1963 c 227 s 1.]

catchline: Life insurance payable to trustee named as beneficiary in the policy.


title: RCW 48.18.452

text:
A policy of life insurance may designate as beneficiary a trustee or trustees named or to be named by will, if the designation is made in accordance with the provisions of the policy and the requirements of the insurance company. Immediately after the proving of the will the proceeds of such insurance shall be paid to the trustee or trustees named therein to be held and disposed of under the terms of the will as they exist at the death of the testator, but if no qualified trustee makes claim to the proceeds from the insurance company within one year after the death of the insured, or if satisfactory evidence is furnished the insurance company within such one-year period showing that no trustee can qualify to receive the proceeds, payment shall be made by the insurance company to those thereafter entitled. The proceeds of the insurance as collected by the trustee or trustees shall not be subject to debts of the insured and inheritance tax to any greater extent than if such proceeds were payable to any other named beneficiary other than the estate of the insured. Enactment of this section shall not invalidate previous life insurance policy beneficiary designations naming trustees of trusts established by will.
[ 1963 c 227 s 2.]

catchline: Life insurance designating as beneficiary a trustee named by will.


title: RCW 48.18.460

text:
An insurer shall furnish, upon request of any person claiming to have a loss under any insurance contract, forms of proof of loss for completion by such person. But such insurer shall not, by reason of the requirement so to furnish forms, have any responsibility for or with reference to the completion of such proof or the manner of any such completion or attempted completion. If a person makes a claim under a policy of insurance, the insurer may require that the person be examined under an oath administered by a person authorized by state or federal law to administer oaths.
[ 1995 c 285 s 17; 1949 c 190 s 26; 1947 c 79 s .18.46; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.18.46.]
Notes:
Effective date—1995 c 285: See RCW 48.30A.900.

catchline: Proof of loss—Furnishing forms—May require oath.


title: RCW 48.18.470

text:
None of the following acts by or on behalf of an insurer shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any provision of a policy or of any defense of the insurer thereunder:
(a) Acknowledgment of the receipt of notice of loss or of claim under the policy.
(b) Furnishing forms for reporting a loss or claim, for giving information relative thereto, or for making proof of loss, or receiving or acknowledging receipt of any such forms or proofs completed or uncompleted.
(c) Investigating any loss or claim under any policy or engaging in negotiations looking toward a possible settlement of any such loss or claim.
[1947 c 79 s .18.47; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.47.]

catchline: Claims administration—Not waiver.


title: RCW 48.18.480

text:
No insurer shall make or permit any unfair discrimination between insureds or subjects of insurance having substantially like insuring, risk, and exposure factors, and expense elements, in the terms or conditions of any insurance contract, or in the rate or amount of premium charged therefor, or in the benefits payable or in any other rights or privileges accruing thereunder. This provision shall not prohibit fair discrimination by a life insurer as between individuals having unequal expectation of life.
[ 1957 c 193 s 12; 1947 c 79 s .18.48; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.480.]

catchline: Discrimination prohibited.


title: RCW 48.18.510

text:
Any insurance policy, rider, or endorsement hereafter issued and otherwise valid, which contains any condition or provision not in compliance with the requirements of this code, shall not be rendered invalid thereby, but shall be construed and applied in accordance with such conditions and provisions as would have applied had such policy, rider, or endorsement been in full compliance with this code.
[1947 c 79 s .18.51; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.51.]

catchline: Validity of noncomplying forms.


title: RCW 48.18.520

text:
Every insurance contract shall be construed according to the entirety of its terms and conditions as set forth in the policy, and as amplified, extended, or modified by any rider, endorsement, or application attached to and made a part of the policy.
[1947 c 79 s .18.52; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.18.52.]

catchline: Construction of policies.


title: RCW 48.18.540

text:
Every insurer upon canceling, denying, or refusing to renew any disability policy, shall, upon written request, directly notify in writing the applicant or insured, as the case may be, of the reasons for the action by the insurer and to any person covered under a group contract. Any benefits, terms, rates, or conditions of such a contract that are restricted, excluded, modified, increased, or reduced shall, upon written request, be set forth in writing and supplied to the insured and to any person covered under a group contract. The written communications required by this section shall be phrased in simple language that is readily understandable to a person of average intelligence, education, and reading ability.
[ 1993 c 492 s 281.]
Notes:
Findings—Intent—1993 c 492: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.
Short title—Savings—Reservation of legislative power—Effective dates—1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.

catchline: Cancellations, denials, refusals to renew—Written notification.


title: RCW 48.18.543

text:
(1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Licensee" means every insurance producer licensed under chapter 48.17 RCW.
(b) "Residential mortgage loan" means any loan primarily for personal, family, or household use secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on residential real estate upon which is constructed or intended to be constructed a single-family dwelling or multiple-family dwelling of four or less units.
(c) "Single premium credit insurance" means credit insurance purchased with a single premium payment at inception of coverage.
(2) An insurer or licensee may not issue or sell any single premium credit insurance product in connection with a residential mortgage loan unless:
(a) The term of the single premium credit insurance policy is the same as the term of the loan;
(b) The debtor is given the option to buy credit insurance paid with monthly premiums; and
(c) The single premium credit insurance policy provides for a full refund of premiums to the debtor if the credit insurance is canceled within sixty days of the date of the loan.
(3) This section does not apply to residential mortgage loans if:
(a) The loan amount does not exceed ten thousand dollars, exclusive of fees;
(b) The repayment term of the loan does not exceed five years; and
(c) The term of the single premium credit insurance does not exceed the repayment term of the loan.
[ 2008 c 217 s 18; 2003 c 116 s 1.]
Notes:
Severability—Effective date—2008 c 217: See notes following RCW 48.03.020.

catchline: Single premium credit insurance—Residential mortgage loan—Restrictions—Definitions.


title: RCW 48.18.545

text:
(1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Adverse action" has the same meaning as defined in the fair credit reporting act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq. Adverse actions include, but are not limited to:
(i) Cancellation, denial, or nonrenewal of personal insurance coverage;
(ii) Charging a higher insurance premium for personal insurance than would have been offered if the credit history or insurance score had been more favorable, whether the charge is by:
(A) Application of a rating rule;
(B) Assignment to a rating tier that does not have the lowest available rates; or
(C) Placement with an affiliate company that does not offer the lowest rates available to the consumer within the affiliate group of insurance companies; or
(iii) Any reduction, adverse, or unfavorable change in the terms of coverage or amount of any personal insurance due to a consumer's credit history or insurance score. A reduction, adverse, or unfavorable change in the terms of coverage occurs when:
(A) Coverage provided to the consumer is not as broad in scope as coverage requested by the consumer but available to other insureds of the insurer or any affiliate; or
(B) The consumer is not eligible for benefits such as dividends that are available through affiliate insurers.
(b) "Affiliate" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.31B.005(1).
(c) "Consumer" means an individual policyholder or applicant for insurance.
(d) "Consumer report" has the same meaning as defined in the fair credit reporting act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.
(e) "Credit history" means any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumer's creditworthiness, credit standing, or credit capacity that is used or expected to be used, or collected in whole or in part, for the purpose of serving as a factor in determining personal insurance premiums or eligibility for coverage.
(f) "Insurance score" means a number or rating that is derived from an algorithm, computer application, model, or other process that is based in whole or in part on credit history.
(g) "Personal insurance" means:
(i) Private passenger automobile coverage;
(ii) Homeowner's coverage, including mobile homeowners, manufactured homeowners, condominium owners, and renter's coverage;
(iii) Dwelling property coverage;
(iv) Earthquake coverage for a residence or personal property;
(v) Personal liability and theft coverage;
(vi) Personal inland marine coverage; and
(vii) Mechanical breakdown coverage for personal auto or home appliances.
(h) "Tier" means a category within a single insurer into which insureds with substantially like insuring, risk or exposure factors, and expense elements are placed for purposes of determining rate or premium.
(2) An insurer that takes adverse action against a consumer based in whole or in part on credit history or insurance score shall provide written notice to the applicant or named insured. The notice must state the significant factors of the credit history or insurance score that resulted in the adverse action. The insurer shall also inform the consumer that the consumer is entitled to a free copy of their consumer report under the fair credit reporting act.
(3) An insurer shall not cancel or nonrenew personal insurance based in whole or in part on a consumer's credit history or insurance score. An offer of placement with an affiliate insurer does not constitute cancellation or nonrenewal under this section.
(4) An insurer may use credit history to deny personal insurance only in combination with other substantive underwriting factors. For the purposes of this subsection:
(a) "Deny" means an insurer refuses to offer insurance coverage to a consumer;
(b) An offer of placement with an affiliate insurer does not constitute denial of coverage; and
(c) An insurer may reject an application when coverage is not bound or cancel an insurance contract within the first sixty days after the effective date of the contract.
(5) Insurers shall not deny personal insurance coverage based on:
(a) The absence of credit history or the inability to determine the consumer's credit history, if the insurer has received accurate and complete information from the consumer;
(b) The number of credit inquiries;
(c) Credit history or an insurance score based on collection accounts identified with a medical industry code;
(d) The initial purchase or finance of a vehicle or house that adds a new loan to the consumer's existing credit history, if evident from the consumer report; however, an insurer may consider the bill payment history of any loan, the total number of loans, or both;
(e) The consumer's use of a particular type of credit card, charge card, or debit card; or
(f) The consumer's total available line of credit; however, an insurer may consider the total amount of outstanding debt in relation to the total available line of credit.
(6)(a) If disputed credit history is used to determine eligibility for coverage and a consumer is placed with an affiliate that charges higher premiums or offers less favorable policy terms:
(i) The insurer shall reissue or rerate the policy retroactive to the effective date of the current policy term; and
(ii) The policy, as reissued or rerated, shall provide premiums and policy terms the consumer would have been eligible for if accurate credit history had been used to determine eligibility.
(b) This subsection only applies if the consumer resolves the dispute under the process set forth in the fair credit reporting act and notifies the insurer in writing that the dispute has been resolved.
(7) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section.
(8) This section applies to all personal insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2003.
[ 2002 c 360 s 1.]
Notes:
Captions not law—2002 c 360: "Captions used in this act are not any part of the law." [ 2002 c 360 s 3.]

catchline: Underwriting restrictions that apply to personal insurance—Credit history or insurance score—Rules.


title: RCW 48.18.547

text:
(1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Affiliate" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.31B.005(1).
(b) "Claim" means a demand for monetary damages by a claimant.
(c) "Claimant" means a person, including a decedent's estate, who is seeking or has sought monetary damages for injury or death caused by medical malpractice.
(d) "Tier" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.18.545(1)(h).
(e) "Underwrite" or "underwriting" means the process of selecting, rejecting, or pricing a risk, and includes each of these activities:
(i) Evaluation, selection, and classification of risk, including placing a risk with an affiliate insurer that has higher rates and/or rating plan components that will result in higher premiums;
(ii) Application of classification plans, rates, rating rules, and rating tiers to an insured risk; and
(iii) Determining eligibility for:
(A) Insurance coverage provisions;
(B) Higher policy limits; or
(C) Premium payment plans.
(2) During each underwriting process, an insurer may consider the following factors only in combination with other substantive underwriting factors:
(a) An insured has inquired about the nature or scope of coverage under a medical malpractice insurance policy;
(b) An insured has notified their insurer about an incident that may be covered under the terms of their medical malpractice insurance policy, and that incident does not result in a claim; or
(c) A claim made against an insured was closed by the insurer without payment. An insurer may consider the effect of multiple claims if they have a significant effect on the insured's risk profile.
(3) If any underwriting activity related to the insured's risk profile results in higher premiums as described under subsection (1)(e)(i) and (ii) of this section or reduced coverage as described under subsection (1)(e)(iii) of this section, the insurer must provide written notice to the insured, in clear and simple language, that describes the significant risk factors which led to the underwriting action. The commissioner must adopt rules that define the components of a risk profile that require notice under this subsection.
[ 2006 c 8 s 211.]
Notes:
Application—2006 c 8 ss 211-213: "Sections 211, 212, and 213 of this act apply to insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2007." [ 2006 c 8 s 403.]
Findings—Intent—Part headings and subheadings not law—Severability—2006 c 8: See notes following RCW 5.64.010.

catchline: Underwriting restrictions that apply to medical malpractice insurance—Rules.


title: RCW 48.18.550

text:
(1) No insurer shall deny or refuse to accept an application for insurance, refuse to insure, refuse to renew, cancel, restrict, or otherwise terminate a policy of insurance, or charge a different rate for the same coverage on the basis that the applicant or insured person is, has been, or may be a victim of domestic abuse.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent an insurer from taking any of the actions set forth in subsection (1) of this section on the basis of loss history or medical condition or for any other reason not otherwise prohibited by this section, any other law, regulation, or rule.
(3) Any form filed or filed after June 11, 1998, subject to RCW 48.18.120(1) or subject to a rule adopted under RCW 48.18.120(1) may exclude coverage for losses caused by intentional or fraudulent acts of any insured. Such an exclusion, however, shall not apply to deny an insured's otherwise-covered property loss if the property loss is caused by an act of domestic abuse by another insured under the policy, the insured claiming property loss files a police report and cooperates with any law enforcement investigation relating to the act of domestic abuse, and the insured claiming property loss did not cooperate in, or contribute to, the creation of the property loss. Payment by the insurer to an insured may be limited to the person's insurable interest in the property less payments made to a mortgagee or other party with a legal secured interest in the property. An insurer making payment to an insured under this section has all rights of subrogation to recover against the perpetrator of the act that caused the loss.
(4) Nothing in this section prohibits an insurer from investigating a claim and complying with chapter 48.30A RCW.
(5) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Domestic abuse" means: (i) Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault between family or household members or intimate partners; (ii) sexual assault of one family or household member by another or of one intimate partner by another; (iii) stalking as defined in RCW 9A.46.110 of one family or household member by another or of one intimate partner by another; or (iv) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing damage to property so as to intimidate or attempt to control the behavior of another family or household member or of another intimate partner.
(b) "Family or household member" has the same meaning as in RCW 10.99.020.
(c) "Intimate partner" has the same meaning as in RCW 10.99.020.
[ 2021 c 215 s 151; 2020 c 29 s 15; 1998 c 301 s 1.]
Notes:
Effective date—2022 c 268; 2021 c 215: See note following RCW 7.105.900.
Effective date—2020 c 29: See note following RCW 7.77.060.

catchline: Victims of domestic abuse—Prohibition on certain cancellations, denials, refusals to renew, and different rates—Domestic abuse defined.


title: RCW 48.18.553

text:
(1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Insured" means a current policyholder or a person or entity that is covered under the insurance policy.
(b) "Hate crime offense" has the same meaning as RCW 9A.36.080. Under this section, the perpetrator does not have to be identified for a hate crime offense to have occurred.
(c) "Underwriting action" means an insurer:
(i) Cancels or refuses to renew an insurance policy; or
(ii) Changes the terms or benefits in an insurance policy.
(2) This section applies to property insurance policies if the insured is:
(a) An individual;
(b) A religious organization;
(c) An educational organization; or
(d) Any other nonprofit organization that is organized and operated for religious, charitable, or educational purposes.
(3) An insurer may not take an underwriting action on a policy described in subsection (2) of this section because an insured has made one or more insurance claims for any loss that occurred during the preceding sixty months that is the result of a hate crime offense. An insurer may take an underwriting action due to other factors that are not prohibited by this subsection.
(4) If an insured sustains a loss that is the result of a hate crime offense, the insured must file a report with the police or other law enforcement authority within thirty days of discovery of the incident, and a law enforcement authority must determine that a crime has occurred. The report must contain sufficient information to provide an insurer with reasonable notice that the loss was the result of a hate crime offense. The insured has a duty to cooperate with any law enforcement official or insurer investigation.
(5) Annually, each insurer must report underwriting actions to the commissioner if the insurer has taken an underwriting action against any insured who has filed a claim during the preceding sixty months that was the result of a hate crime offense. The report must include the policy number, name of the insured, location of the property, and the reason for the underwriting action.
[ 2019 c 271 s 11; 2003 c 117 s 1.]

catchline: Victims of hate crime offenses—Restrictions of underwriting actions—Definitions.


title: RCW 48.18.555

text:
(1) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Arson" has the same meaning as in chapter 9A.48 RCW.
(b) "Health care facility" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.005.
(c) "Health care provider" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.005.
(d) "Insured" means a current policyholder or a person or entity that is covered under the insurance policy.
(e) A perpetrator does not have to be identified for an act of arson or malicious mischief to have occurred.
(f) "Malicious mischief" has the same meaning as in chapter 9A.48 RCW.
(g) "Underwriting action" means an insurer:
(i) Cancels or refuses to renew an insurance policy; or
(ii) Changes the terms or benefits in an insurance policy.
(2) This section applies to property insurance policies if the insured is:
(a) A health care facility;
(b) A health care provider; or
(c) A religious organization.
(3) An insurer may not take an underwriting action on a policy described in subsection (2) of this section because an insured has made one or more insurance claims for any loss that occurred during the preceding sixty months that is the result of arson or malicious mischief. An insurer may take an underwriting action due to other factors that are not prohibited by this subsection.
(4) If an insured sustains a loss that is the result of arson or malicious mischief, the insured must file a report with the police or other law enforcement authority within thirty days of discovery of the incident, and a law enforcement authority must determine that a crime has occurred. The report must contain sufficient information to provide an insurer with reasonable notice that the loss was the result of arson or malicious mischief. The insured has a duty to cooperate with any law enforcement official or insurer investigation.
(5) Annually, each insurer must report underwriting actions to the commissioner if the insurer has taken an underwriting action against any insured who has filed a claim during the preceding sixty months that was the result of arson or malicious mischief. The report must include the policy number, name of the insured, location of the property, and the reason for the underwriting action.
[ 2006 c 145 s 2.]
Notes:
Finding—Intent—2006 c 145: "The legislature finds that access to insurance can be imperiled by the response of insurers to criminal acts. Rather than allow criminals to achieve their objectives, it is the intent of the legislature that criminals, through criminal acts, should not dictate insurance underwriting decisions. It is the intent of the legislature that courts should use restitution from perpetrators of intentional property crimes to make property owners and insurers whole." [ 2006 c 145 s 1.]

catchline: Property insurance—Actions resulting from arson or malicious mischief—Definitions.


title: RCW 48.18.558

text:
(1) With the prior approval of the commissioner, a property insurer may include the following either goods or services, or both, intended to reduce either the probability of loss, or the extent of loss, or both, from a covered event as part of a policy of property insurance:
(a) Goods, including a water monitor;
(b) Foundation strapping to mitigate losses due to earthquake;
(c) Ongoing services, including home safety monitoring or brush clearing to mitigate losses due to wildfire; and
(d) Other either goods or services, or both, as the commissioner may identify by rule.
(2) Any goods provided are owned by the insured, even if the insurance is subsequently canceled.
(3) The value of goods and services to be provided is limited to $7,500 or ten percent of the annual policy premium, whichever is greater, in value in the aggregate in any 12-month period.
(4) In order to receive prior approval of the commissioner, and except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, the property insurer must include the following in its rate filing:
(a) A description of either the specific goods or services, or both, to be offered;
(b) A description of the method of delivering either the specific goods or services, or both, being offered; and
(c) The selection criteria for insureds receiving either the specific goods or services, or both, being offered.
(5) This section does not require the commissioner to approve any particular proposed benefit. The commissioner may disapprove any proposed noninsurance benefit that the commissioner determines may tend to promote or facilitate the violation of any other section of this title. However, if the commissioner approves the inclusion of either the goods or services, or both, in a policy of property insurance it does not constitute a violation of RCW 48.30.140 or 48.30.150.
(6)(a) A property insurer may conduct a pilot program as either a risk mitigation or prevention, or both, strategy through which the insurer offers or provides risk mitigation and/or prevention goods and/or services identified in subsection (1) of this section in connection with an insurance policy covering property risks in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner.
(b) A property insurer offering or providing risk mitigation and/or prevention goods and/or services through a pilot program under this subsection is exempt from including information about the risk mitigation and/or prevention goods and/or services in its rate filing as is otherwise required under subsection (4) of this section and RCW 48.19.530.
(c) A property insurer's pilot program may last no longer than two years.
(7) This section does not apply to disaster or emergency response activities of a property insurer.
[ 2023 c 446 s 1; 2018 c 239 s 2.]
Notes:
Findings—2018 c 239: "The legislature finds that allowing property insurers to assist their insureds with risk mitigation and/or prevention goods and/or services could help prevent, or reduce the severity of claims and losses. The legislature further finds that property insurers engage in supporting insureds through disaster or emergency response activities when there is an imminent threat of damage to insured property, such as wildfire prevention defense efforts that provide fire retardants to homes in a wildfire area or send crews to combat wildfires to protect insureds' homes. The legislature further finds that assisting insureds with risk mitigation and prevention and providing disaster or emergency response activities are both useful in preventing economic loss, and should be exempt from the prohibition against inducements under RCW 48.30.140 and 48.30.150." [ 2018 c 239 s 1.]

catchline: Property insurers—Assistance to prevent or reduce severity of claims or losses—Prior approval of commissioner—Pilot program permitted.


title: RCW 48.18.559

text:
The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement RCW 48.18.558 and 48.19.530, including but not limited to:
(1) Rules requiring a notice to insureds or potential insureds regarding their ability to opt out of receiving any risk mitigation and/or prevention goods and/or services;
(2) Rules establishing requirements for pilot programs authorized under RCW 48.18.558(6); and
(3) Rules identifying which insurer disaster or emergency response activities are exempt from RCW 48.18.558 and 48.19.530 and RCW 48.30.140 and 48.30.150.
[ 2023 c 446 s 2; 2018 c 239 s 4.]
Notes:
Findings—2018 c 239: See note following RCW 48.18.558.

catchline: Property insurers—Rules addressing assistance to prevent or reduce severity of claims or losses.


title: RCW 48.18.565

text:
An insurer licensed to write homeowner's insurance in this state shall not deny an application for a homeowner's insurance policy, or cancel, refuse to renew, or modify an existing homeowner's insurance policy for the principal reason that the applicant or insured is a foster parent licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW.
[ 2004 c 84 s 1.]

catchline: Homeowner's insurance—Foster parent.


title: RCW 48.18.570

text:
(1) No life insurer may deny or refuse to accept an application for insurance, or refuse to insure, refuse to renew, cancel, restrict, or otherwise terminate a policy of insurance, or charge a different rate for the same coverage, based upon the applicant's or insured person's past or future lawful travel destinations.
(2) Nothing in this section prohibits a life insurer from excluding or limiting coverage of specific lawful travel, or charging a differential rate for such coverage, when bona fide statistical differences in risk or exposure have been substantiated.
[ 2005 c 441 s 1.]

catchline: Life insurance—Lawful travel destinations.


title: RCW 48.18.580

text:
(1) "Employer-owned life insurance policy" as used in this section and RCW 48.18.583 means an insurance policy purchased by an employer on the life of an employee, for the benefit of a person other than the employee or the employee's personal representative.
(2) An employer-owned life insurance policy may not be made or take effect unless at the time the contract is made the individual insured consents to the contract in writing.
(3) An employer may not retaliate in any manner against an employee for providing written notice that he or she does not want to be insured under an employer-owned life insurance policy.
(4) No later than thirty days after the date on which an employer purchases an employer-owned life insurance policy on the life of an employee, the employer must provide to the employee a written notice that contains the following information:
(a) A statement that the employer carries an employer-owned life insurance policy on the life of the employee;
(b) The identity of the insurance carrier of the policy;
(c) The maximum face amount of the policy at issue; and
(d) The identity of the beneficiary of the policy.
[ 2005 c 337 s 4.]
Notes:
Finding—Intent—2005 c 337: See note following RCW 48.18.030.


title: RCW 48.18.583

text:
With respect to employer-owned life insurance policies, chapter 337, Laws of 2005 shall apply only to policies issued and delivered after July 24, 2005.
[ 2005 c 337 s 6.]
Notes:
Finding—Intent—2005 c 337: See note following RCW 48.18.030.

catchline: Employer-owned life insurance—Application to policies.


title: RCW 48.18.586

text:
The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement RCW 48.18.010, 48.18.030, 48.18.060, 48.18.580, and 48.18.583.
[ 2005 c 337 s 7.]
Notes:
Finding—Intent—2005 c 337: See note following RCW 48.18.030.

catchline: Employer-owned life insurance—Rules.


title: RCW 48.18.600

text:
(1) For the purposes of this section, "usage-based insurance" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.19.040.
(2) Location data may not be collected without:
(a) Disclosure to the insured that such information is being collected as required by RCW 46.35.020; and
(b) The insured's consent.
(3) Individually identifiable usage information retrieved from a recording device may only be used and/or retained:
(a) For purposes of determining premiums; or
(b) As allowed by law in RCW 46.35.030.
(4) Individually identifiable usage information retrieved from a recording device may not be disclosed to any third party except as allowed by RCW 46.35.030.
[ 2012 c 222 s 3.]

catchline: Usage-based insurance—Restrictions on information collected.


title: RCW 48.18.610

text:
(1) An insurer may include contractual benefits based on customer satisfaction as part of an insurance policy. The insurer must file the policy or endorsement for approval as required by RCW 48.18.100. The contractual benefits may include sums of money provided or credited to a policyholder if the policyholder is dissatisfied with the service provided by their insurer. A sum that is provided to or credited to a policyholder as part of an approved contractual benefit based on customer satisfaction is not "premium" for the purposes of RCW 48.18.170. A policy premium reduced by such a credit will be taxed on the full cost of the premium before application of the customer satisfaction credit.
(2) This section applies only to personal insurance as defined in RCW 48.18.545(1)(g).
[ 2016 c 121 s 1.]

catchline: Customer satisfaction benefits.


title: RCW 48.18.620

text:
(1) Every automobile insurance policy that includes first-party coverage for physical damage issued or renewed effective on or after January 1, 2026, must include a provision for the right to an appraisal to resolve disputes between the insurer and the insured regarding the actual cash value and amount of loss on the damaged automobile. The appraisal clause must include the following language, or corresponding language that the insurer certifies is at least as favorable to the insured:
"If . . . (the insurance company) . . . and . . . (the policyholder) . . . are unable to agree as to the amount of loss, either party may make a written demand for an appraisal, and within 10 days each party shall select a competent and disinterested appraiser and notify the other party of its selection.
The appraisers shall then each appraise the actual cash value and the amount of loss, make separate findings regarding the amount of loss for each element of loss, and exchange their completed appraisals. If the appraisers are unable to agree on the losses, the selected appraisers shall appoint a competent and disinterested umpire and submit their differences to the umpire. If the appraisers do not appoint a competent and disinterested umpire within 15 days, either appraiser may notify the commissioner, and the commissioner shall identify a registered competent and disinterested umpire that will be used according to the process that the commissioner specifies by rule.
The appraisers must make their appraisals within 30 calendar days of selection. If an appraiser needs more than 30 days, the appraiser shall provide a reasonable basis to the other appraiser before 25 days has passed. The appraiser must document the reason or reasons for the extension in their file.
The amount of loss must be determined either by agreement of the appraisers or by agreement of one appraiser and the umpire. An agreement of any two is binding.
Each party is responsible for their appraisal expenses, and each party is equally responsible for the cost of the umpire."
(2) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Appraiser" means a person selected by the insurer or the insured to place a value on or estimate the amount of loss under an appraisal clause in an insurance contract;
(b) "Competent" means the person has subject matter expertise, relevant training, and experience to make decisions and valuations relating to the amount of loss;
(c) "Disinterested" means the person does not have a direct financial interest in the outcome of the appraisal process; and
(d) "Umpire" means a person selected by the appraisers representing the insurer and the insured, or, if the appraisers cannot agree, by the commissioner, who is charged with resolving issues that the appraisers are unable to agree upon during the course of an appraisal.
(3) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
[ 2025 c 394 s 1.]

catchline: Automobile insurance policies—Appraisal clause.


title: RCW 48.18.900

text:
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[ 2009 c 521 s 114.]

catchline: Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.


title: RCW 48.180.005

text:
This chapter is intended to provide authority for two or more nonprofit corporations to participate in a joint self-insurance program covering property or liability risks. This chapter provides nonprofit corporations with the authority to jointly self-insure property and liability risks, jointly purchase insurance or reinsurance, and contract for risk management, claims, and administrative services with other nonprofit corporations. This chapter must be liberally construed to grant nonprofit corporations maximum flexibility in jointly self-insuring to the extent the self-insurance programs are operated in a safe and sound manner. This chapter is intended to require prior approval for the establishment of every joint self-insurance program. In addition, this chapter is intended to require every joint self-insurance program for nonprofit corporations established under this chapter to notify the state of the existence of the program and to comply with the regulatory and statutory standards governing the management and operation of the programs as provided in this chapter. This chapter is not intended to authorize or regulate self-insurance of unemployment compensation under chapter 50.44 RCW or industrial insurance under chapter 51.14 RCW.
[ 2015 c 109 s 5.]

catchline: Intent—Liberal construction.


title: RCW 48.180.010

text:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Nonprofit corporation" or "corporation" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 24.03A.010.
(2) "Property and liability risks" includes the risk of property damage or loss sustained by a nonprofit corporation and the risk of claims arising from the tortious or negligent conduct or any error or omission of the entity, its officers, employees, agents, or volunteers as a result of a claim that may be made against the entity.
(3) "Self-insurance" means a formal program of advance funding and management of entity financial exposure to a risk of loss that is not transferred through the purchase of an insurance policy or contract.
(4) "State risk manager" means the risk manager of the office of risk management within the department of enterprise services.
[ 2021 c 176 s 5230; 2015 c 109 s 6.]
Notes:
Effective date—2021 c 176: See note following RCW 24.03A.005.

catchline: Definitions.


title: RCW 48.180.015

text:
(1) The governing body of a nonprofit corporation may join or form a self-insurance program together with one or more other nonprofit corporations, and may jointly purchase insurance or reinsurance with one or more other nonprofit corporations for property and liability risks only as permitted under this chapter. Nonprofit corporations may contract for or hire personnel to provide risk management, claims, and administrative services in accordance with this chapter.
(2) The agreement to form a joint self-insurance program may include the organization of a separate legal or administrative entity with powers delegated to the entity. The entity may include or create a nonprofit corporation as defined in RCW 48.62.021.
(3) If provided for in the organizational documents, a joint self-insurance program may, in conformance with this chapter:
(a) Contract or otherwise provide for risk management and loss control services;
(b) Contract or otherwise provide legal counsel for the defense of claims and other legal services;
(c) Consult with the state insurance commissioner and the state risk manager;
(d) Jointly purchase insurance and reinsurance coverage in a form and amount as provided for in the organizational documents;
(e) Obligate the program's participants to pledge funds or revenues to secure the obligations or pay the expenses of the program, including the establishment of a reserve fund for coverage, including an additional assessment if the reserve fund or the program's revenue or assets are insufficient to cover the program's liabilities; and
(f) Possess any other powers and perform all other functions reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(4) Every joint self-insurance program governed by this chapter must appoint the state risk manager as its attorney to receive service of, and upon whom must be served, all legal process issued against the program in this state upon causes of action arising in this state.
(a) Service upon the state risk manager as attorney constitutes service upon the program. Service upon joint self-insurance programs subject to this chapter may only occur by service upon the state risk manager. At the time of service, the plaintiff shall pay to the state risk manager a fee to be set by the state risk manager, taxable as costs in the action.
(b) With the initial filing for approval with the state risk manager, each joint self-insurance program must designate by name and address the person to whom the state risk manager must forward legal process that is served upon him or her. The joint self-insurance program may change this person by filing a new designation.
(c) The appointment of the state risk manager as attorney is irrevocable, binds any successor in interest or to the assets or liabilities of the joint self-insurance program, and remains in effect as long as there is in force in this state any contract made by the joint self-insurance program or liabilities or duties arising from the contract.
(d) The state risk manager shall keep a record of the day and hour of service upon him or her of all legal process. A copy of the process, by registered mail with return receipt requested, must be sent by the state risk manager to the person designated to receive legal process by the joint self-insurance program in its most recent designation filed with the state risk manager. Proceedings may not commence against the joint self-insurance program, and the program is not required to appear, plead, or answer, until the expiration of forty days after the date of service upon the state risk manager.
(e) For any legal process issued against the program for causes of action arising outside of this state, the program shall provide the state risk manager a copy of such claim.
(5) A nonprofit joint self-insurance program previously established under chapter 48.62 RCW may continue its operations without interruption. All previously approved operating documents under chapter 48.62 RCW including, but not limited to, applications, state-granted authorities, approvals to operate, certificates of incorporation, articles of incorporation, membership documents, executed contracts, and other applicable items or authorities remain in effect without reapproval.
(6) A nonprofit joint self-insurance program previously established under and governed by chapter 48.62 RCW is not required to reapply for authority to operate as previously approved by the state risk manager in its original application.
[ 2015 c 109 s 7.]

catchline: Agreement to form joint self-insurance program—Authorized activities—State risk manager as attorney for receipt of service.


title: RCW 48.180.020

text:
This chapter does not apply to a nonprofit corporation that:
(1) Individually self-insures for property and liability risks;
(2) Participates in a risk pooling arrangement, including a risk retention group or a risk purchasing group, regulated under chapter 48.92 RCW, or is a captive insurer authorized in its state of domicile;
(3) Comprises only units of local government or is a group that comprises local governments joined by an interlocal agreement authorized by chapter 39.34 RCW; or
(4) Is a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, or an entity owned, operated, controlled by, or affiliated with such a hospital that participates in a self-insurance risk pool or other risk pooling arrangement.
[ 2015 c 109 s 8.]

catchline: When chapter does not apply.


title: RCW 48.180.025

text:
The state risk manager shall adopt rules governing the management and operation of joint self-insurance programs for nonprofit corporations that cover property or liability risks. All rules must be appropriate for the type of program and class of risk covered. The state risk manager's rules must include:
(1) Standards for the management, operation, and solvency of joint self-insurance programs, including the necessity and frequency of actuarial analyses and claims audits;
(2) Standards for claims management procedures;
(3) Standards for contracts between joint self-insurance programs and private businesses, including standards for contracts between third-party administrators and programs; and
(4) Standards requiring pool verification of each member's nonprofit status in their state of domicile.
[ 2015 c 109 s 9.]

catchline: Rules by state risk manager—Requirements.


title: RCW 48.180.030

text:
Before the establishment of a joint self-insurance program covering property or liability risks by nonprofit corporations, the entities must obtain the approval of the state risk manager. The entities proposing the creation of a joint self-insurance program requiring prior approval shall submit a plan of management and operation to the state risk manager that provides at least the following information:
(1) The risk or risks to be covered, including any coverage definitions, terms, conditions, and limitations;
(2) The amount and method of funding the covered risks, including the initial capital and proposed rates and projected premiums;
(3) The proposed claim reserving practices;
(4) The proposed purchase and maintenance of insurance or reinsurance in excess of the amounts retained by the joint self-insurance program;
(5) The legal form of the program including, but not limited to, any articles of incorporation, bylaws, charter, or trust agreement or other agreement among the participating entities;
(6) The agreements with participants in the program defining the responsibilities and benefits of each participant and management;
(7) The proposed accounting, depositing, and investment practices of the program;
(8) The proposed time when actuarial analysis will be first conducted and the frequency of future actuarial analysis;
(9) A designation of the individual to whom service of process must be forwarded by the state risk manager on behalf of the program;
(10) All contracts between the program and private persons providing risk management, claims, or other administrative services;
(11) A professional analysis of the feasibility of the creation and maintenance of the program;
(12) A legal analysis or an internal revenue service opinion on the federal income tax exposure or liability of the program; and
(13) Any other information required by rule of the state risk manager that is necessary to determine the probable financial and management success of the program or that is necessary to determine compliance with this chapter.
[ 2015 c 109 s 10.]

catchline: Program approval required from state risk manager—Management and operations plan—Contents of plan.


title: RCW 48.180.035

text:
A nonprofit corporation may participate in a joint self-insurance program covering property or liability risks with similar nonprofit corporations from other states if the program satisfies the following requirements:
(1) An ownership interest in the program is limited to some or all of the nonprofit corporations of this state and nonprofit corporations of other states that are provided insurance by the program;
(2) The nonprofit corporations of this state and other states shall elect a board of directors to manage the program, all of whom must be affiliated with one or more of the participating nonprofit corporations;
(3) The program must provide coverage through the delivery to each participating nonprofit corporation of one or more written policies affecting insurance of covered risks;
(4) The program must be financed, including the payment of premiums and the contribution of initial capital, in accordance with the plan of management and operation submitted to the state risk manager in accordance with this chapter;
(5) The financial statements of the program must be audited by a certified public accountant, and these audited financial statements must be delivered to the state risk manager not more than one hundred twenty days after the end of each fiscal year of the program;
(6) The investments of the program must be initiated only with financial institutions or broker-dealers, or both, doing business in those states in which participating nonprofit corporations are located, and these investments must be audited annually by the certified public accountants for the program;
(7) The treasurer of a multistate joint self-insurance program must be designated by resolution of the program and the treasurer must be located in the state of one of the participating entities; and
(8) The program must obtain approval from the state risk manager in accordance with this chapter and must remain in compliance with this chapter, unless exempt from application for reapproval, as granted under RCW 48.180.015.
[ 2015 c 109 s 11.]

catchline: Participation by nonprofit corporations from other states—Requirements.


title: RCW 48.180.040

text:
(1) Within one hundred twenty days of receipt of a plan of management and operation, the state risk manager shall either approve or disapprove of the formation of the joint self-insurance program after reviewing the plan to determine whether the proposed program complies with this chapter and all rules adopted in accordance with this chapter.
(2) If the state risk manager denies a request for approval, the state risk manager shall specify in detail the reasons for denial and the manner in which the program fails to meet the requirements of this chapter or any rules adopted in accordance with this chapter.
(3) If the state risk manager determines that a joint self-insurance program covering property or liability risks is in violation of this chapter or is operating in an unsafe financial condition, the state risk manager may issue and serve upon the program an order to cease and desist from the violation or practice.
(a) The state risk manager shall deliver the order to the appropriate entity or entities directly or mail it to the appropriate entity or entities by certified mail with return receipt requested.
(b) If the program violates the order or has not taken steps to comply with the order after the expiration of twenty days after the cease and desist order has been received by the program, the program is deemed to be operating in violation of this chapter, and the state risk manager shall notify the attorney general of the violation.
(c) After hearing, or with the consent of a program governed under this chapter, and in addition to or in lieu of a continuation of the cease and desist order, the state risk manager may levy a fine upon the program in an amount not less than three hundred dollars and not more than ten thousand dollars. The order levying the fine must specify the period within which the fine must be fully paid. The period within which the fines must be paid must be not less than fifteen and not more than thirty days from the date of the order. Upon failure to pay the fine when due, the state risk manager shall request the attorney general to bring a civil action on the state risk manager's behalf to collect the fine. The state risk manager shall pay any fine collected to the state treasurer for deposit into the general fund.
(4) Each joint self-insurance program approved by the state risk manager shall annually file a report with the state risk manager providing:
(a) Details of any changes in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, charter, trust agreement, or other agreement among the participating nonprofit corporations;
(b) Copies of all the insurance coverage documents;
(c) A description of the program structure, including participants' retention, program retention, and excess insurance limits and attachment point;
(d) An actuarial analysis;
(e) A list of contractors and service providers;
(f) The financial and loss experience of the program; and
(g) Other information as required by rule of the state risk manager.
(5) A joint self-insurance program requiring the state risk manager's approval may not engage in an act or practice that in any respect significantly differs from the management and operation plan that formed the basis for the state risk manager's approval of the program unless the program first notifies the state risk manager in writing and obtains the state risk manager's approval. The state risk manager shall approve or disapprove the proposed change within sixty days of receipt of the notice. If the state risk manager denies a requested change, the state risk manager shall specify in detail the reasons for the denial and the manner in which the program would fail to meet the requirements of this chapter or any rules adopted in accordance with this chapter.
[ 2015 c 109 s 12.]

catchline: Approval or disapproval by state risk manager—Within one hundred twenty days—Risk manager's powers and duties—Program's obligations.


title: RCW 48.180.045

text:
(1) A joint self-insurance program may by resolution of the program designate a person having experience with investments or financial matters as treasurer of the program. The program must require a bond obtained from a surety company in an amount and under the terms and conditions that the program finds will protect against loss arising from mismanagement or malfeasance in investing and managing program funds. The program may pay the premium on the bond.
(2) All interest and earnings collected on joint self-insurance program funds belong to the program and must be deposited to the program's credit in the proper program account.
[ 2015 c 109 s 13.]

catchline: Treasurer may be designated by resolution—Bond—Program's interest and earnings.


title: RCW 48.180.050

text:
(1) An employee or official of a participating nonprofit corporation in a joint self-insurance program may not directly or indirectly receive anything of value for services rendered in connection with the operation and management of a self-insurance program other than the salary and benefits provided by his or her employer or the reimbursement of expenses reasonably incurred in furtherance of the operation or management of the program. An employee or official of a participating nonprofit corporation in a joint self-insurance program may not accept or solicit anything of value for personal benefit or for the benefit of others under circumstances in which it can be reasonably inferred that the employee's or official's independence of judgment is impaired with respect to the management and operation of the program.
(2) RCW 48.30.140, 48.30.150, and 48.30.157 apply to the use of insurance producers and surplus line brokers by a joint self-insurance program.
[ 2015 c 109 s 14.]

catchline: Prohibition on receiving anything of value for services rendered.


title: RCW 48.180.055

text:
A joint self-insurance program approved in accordance with this chapter is exempt from insurance premium taxes, fees assessed under chapters 48.02, 48.32, and 48.32A RCW, business and occupation taxes imposed under chapter 82.04 RCW, and any assigned risk plan or joint underwriting association otherwise required by law. This section does not apply to or provide exemptions for insurance companies issuing policies to cover program risks and third-party administrators or insurance producers serving the joint self-insurance program.
[ 2015 c 109 s 15.]

catchline: Program exempt from certain taxes and fees.


title: RCW 48.180.060

text:
(1) The state risk manager shall establish and charge an investigation fee in an amount necessary to cover the costs for the initial review and approval of a joint self-insurance program. The fee must accompany the initial submission of the plan of operation and management.
(2) The costs of subsequent reviews and investigations must be charged to the joint self-insurance program being reviewed or investigated in accordance with the actual time and expenses incurred in the review or investigation.
(3) Any program failing to remit its assessment when due is subject to denial of permission to operate or to a cease and desist order until the assessment is paid.
[ 2015 c 109 s 16.]

catchline: Investigation fee—Use—Failure to pay.


title: RCW 48.180.065

text:
(1) Any person who files, reports, or furnishes other information required under this title, required by the state risk manager under the authority granted under this title, or which is useful to the state risk manager in the administration of this title is immune from liability in any civil action or suit arising from the filing of any such report or furnishing such information to the state risk manager, unless actual malice, fraud, or bad faith is shown.
(2) The state risk manager and his or her agents and employees are immune from liability in any civil action or suit arising from the publication of any report or bulletin or from dissemination of information related to the official activities of the state risk manager unless actual malice, fraud, or bad faith is shown.
(3) The immunity granted under this section is in addition to any common law or statutory privilege or immunity enjoyed by such person. This section is not intended to abrogate or modify in any way such common law or statutory privilege or immunity.
[ 2015 c 109 s 17.]

catchline: Immunity from liability—Person who files, reports, or furnishes information—State risk manager and agents or employees.


title: RCW 48.185.005

text:
The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1)(a)(i) "Delivered by electronic means" includes:
(A) Delivery to an electronic mail address at which a party has consented to receive notices or documents; or
(B) Posting on an electronic network or site accessible via the internet, mobile application, computer, mobile device, tablet, or any other electronic device, together with separate notice of the posting which shall be provided by electronic mail to the address at which the party has consented to receive notice or by any other delivery method that has been consented to by the party.
(ii) "Delivered by electronic means" does not include any communication between an insurer and an insurance producer relating to RCW 48.17.591 and 48.17.595.
(b) "Party" means any recipient of any notice or document required as part of an insurance transaction, including but not limited to an applicant, an insured, a policyholder, or an annuity contract holder.
(2) Subject to the requirements of this section, any notice to a party or any other document required under applicable law in an insurance transaction or that is to serve as evidence of insurance coverage may be delivered, stored, and presented by electronic means.
(3) Delivery of a notice or document in accordance with this section is the equivalent to any delivery method required under applicable law, including delivery by first-class mail; first-class mail, postage prepaid; certified mail; or registered mail.
(4) A notice or document may be delivered by an insurer to a party by electronic means under this section only if:
(a) The party has affirmatively consented to that method of delivery and has not withdrawn the consent;
(b) The party, before giving consent, has been provided with a clear and conspicuous statement informing the party of:
(i) The right the party has to withdraw consent to have a notice or document delivered by electronic means at any time, and any conditions or consequences imposed in the event consent is withdrawn;
(ii) The types of notices and documents to which the party's consent would apply;
(iii) The right of a party to have a notice or document in paper form; and
(iv) The procedures a party must follow to withdraw consent to have a notice or document delivered by electronic means and to update the party's electronic mail address;
(c) The party:
(i) Before giving consent, has been provided with a statement of the hardware and software requirements for access to and retention of notices or documents delivered by electronic means; and
(ii) Consents electronically, or confirms consent electronically, in a manner that reasonably demonstrates that the party can access information in the electronic form that will be used for notices or documents delivered by electronic means as to which the party has given consent; and
(d) After consent of the party is given, the insurer, in the event a change in the hardware or software requirements needed to access or retain a notice or document delivered by electronic means creates a material risk that the party will not be able to access or retain a subsequent notice or document to which the consent applies:
(i) Shall provide the party with a statement that describes:
(A) The revised hardware and software requirements for access to and retention of a notice or document delivered by electronic means; and
(B) The right of the party to withdraw consent without the imposition of any fee, condition, or consequence that was not disclosed at the time of initial consent; and
(ii) Complies with (b) of this subsection.
(5) This section does not affect requirements related to content or timing of any notice or document required under applicable law.
(6) If this title or applicable law requiring a notice or document to be provided to a party expressly requires verification or acknowledgment of receipt of the notice or document, the notice or document may be delivered by electronic means only if the method used provides for verification or acknowledgment of receipt.
(7) The legal effectiveness, validity, or enforceability of any contract or policy of insurance executed by a party may not be denied solely because of the failure to obtain electronic consent or confirmation of consent of the party in accordance with subsection (4)(c)(ii) of this section.
(8)(a) A withdrawal of consent by a party does not affect the legal effectiveness, validity, or enforceability of a notice or document delivered by electronic means to the party before the withdrawal of consent is effective.
(b) A withdrawal of consent by a party is effective within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed thirty days, after receipt of the withdrawal by the insurer.
(c) Failure by an insurer to comply with subsections (4)(d) and (10) of this section may be treated, at the election of the party, as a withdrawal of consent for purposes of this section.
(9) This section does not apply to a notice or document delivered by an insurer in an electronic form before July 24, 2015, to a party who, before that date, has consented to receive a notice or document in an electronic form otherwise allowed by law.
(10) If the consent of a party to receive certain notices or documents in an electronic form is on file with an insurer before July 24, 2015, and pursuant to this section, an insurer intends to deliver additional notices or documents to such party in an electronic form, then prior to delivering such additional notices or documents electronically, the insurer shall:
(a) Provide the party with a statement that describes:
(i) The notices or documents that shall be delivered by electronic means under this section that were not previously delivered electronically; and
(ii) The party's right to withdraw consent to have notices or documents delivered by electronic means, without the imposition of any condition or consequence that was not disclosed at the time of initial consent; and
(b) Comply with subsection (4)(b) of this section.
(11) An insurer shall deliver a notice or document by any other delivery method permitted by law other than electronic means if:
(a) The insurer attempts to deliver the notice or document by electronic means and has a reasonable basis for believing that the notice or document has not been received by the party; or
(b) The insurer becomes aware that the electronic mail address provided by the party is no longer valid.
(12) A producer shall not be subject to civil liability for any harm or injury that occurs as a result of a party's election to receive any notice or document by electronic means or by an insurer's failure to deliver a notice or document by electronic means.
(13) This section does not modify, limit, or supersede the provisions of the federal electronic signatures in global and national commerce act (E-SIGN), P.L. 106-229, as amended.
[ 2019 c 132 s 5; 2017 c 307 s 1; 2015 c 263 s 1.]

catchline: Delivery by electronic means authorized—Insurer requirements—Party consent—Definitions.


title: RCW 48.185.010

text:
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, standard property and casualty insurance policy forms and endorsements that do not contain personally identifiable information may be mailed, delivered, or posted on the insurer's website. If the insurer elects to post insurance policy forms and endorsements on its website in lieu of mailing or delivering them to the insured, it must comply with all of the following conditions:
(a) The policy forms and endorsements must be accessible to the insured and the producer of record and remain that way for as long as the policy is in force;
(b) After the expiration of the policy, the insurer must archive its expired policy forms and endorsements for a period of six years or other period required by law, and make them available upon request;
(c) The policy forms and endorsements must be posted in a manner that enables the insured and producer of record to print and save the policy form and endorsements using programs or applications that are widely available on the internet and free to use;
(d) The insurer must provide the following information in, or simultaneous with, each declarations page provided at the time of issuance of the initial policy and any renewals of that policy:
(i) A description of the exact policy and endorsement forms purchased by the insured;
(ii) A description of the insured's right to receive, upon request and without charge, a paper copy of the policy and endorsements by mail;
(iii) The internet address where their policy and endorsements are posted;
(iv) The insurer, upon request and without charge, mails a paper copy of the insured's policy and endorsements to the insured; and
(v) Notice, in the manner in which the insurer customarily communicates with the insured, of any changes to the forms or endorsements, the insured's right to obtain, upon request and without charge, a paper copy of such forms or endorsements, and the internet address where such forms or endorsements are posted.
(2) Nothing in this section affects the timing or content of any disclosure or other document required to be provided or made available to any insured under applicable law.
[ 2015 c 263 s 2.]

catchline: Certain property and casualty insurance information—May be mailed, delivered, or posted on website—Requirements to post on website.


title: RCW 48.18A.010

text:
This chapter shall be known as the "Variable Contract Act" and is intended to authorize the sale of both individual and group variable contracts.
[ 1969 c 104 s 1.]

catchline: Short title—Intent.