Around the PIA Western Alliance States – Week of July 13, 2026

California — Commissioner Lara takes action to maintain stable workers’ compensation market amid rising costs: Taking action to preserve businesses’ access to insurance, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara adopted a new workers’ compensation insurance average advisory pure premium rate of $1.65 per $100 of payroll, a 6.6% increase from the 2025 approved rate. This is in line with the analysis and recommendation of Department of Insurance actuaries but below the 10.4% requested rate increase of the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB). An actuary representing public members of the WCIRB board also recommended an increase in rates.

The adopted rate is advisory, meaning that insurance companies are not bound by it and are free to set their own rates. The new rate will be effective on September 1, 2026.

“Last year, we alerted policymakers to early warning signs of increasing costs in California’s workers’ compensation system, and those trends require continued attention,” said Commissioner Lara. “Our actions must be guided by data and focused on maintaining a workers’ compensation system that protects injured workers, supports California businesses, and promotes a stable and competitive insurance marketplace. This adopted rate reflects our thorough review of increasing cost pressures, and we will continue working with stakeholders on solutions that keep California’s workers’ compensation system strong.”

Commissioner Lara issued a letter to state leaders in 2025 alerting them to growing costs in the California workers’ compensation system, which can impact California’s businesses. In the letter, Commissioner Lara noted that because “higher insurance rates can affect businesses’ ability to hire and sustain financial growth, it is important to be aware of early warning signs and respond appropriately.”

Higher medical treatment and medical-legal costs, a greater number of projected cumulative trauma claims, and escalating costs associated with adjusting claims have all resulted in deteriorating accident year combined ratios. At the same time, the rates charged by insurers have remained low. Wage increases from a growing economy have partially offset some of the higher costs.

Washington — New Wildfire Preparedness Guide helps Washington homeowners better protect their homes: As wildfire season continues across Washington, homeowners have a new resource to help them better understand wildfire risk and take practical steps to protect their homes and communities.

The Washington Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, a program of the Washington RCD (WRCD) has released the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Resource Guide, a resource designed to help homeowners reduce wildfire risk through research and locally informed mitigation strategies. The guide highlights practical actions that can make homes more resilient to wildfire and provides information about the relationship between home hardening, defensible space and insurance through the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home certification, a program recently green-lighted for use in Washington.

Developed in collaboration with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and Office of Insurance Commissioner (OIC), the guide is intended to help homeowners make informed decisions before wildfire threatens their neighborhoods.

"Wildfire is a fact of life for many Washington communities, but there are practical steps homeowners can take to better protect their property," said Kenton Brine, president of the NW Insurance Council. "The IBHS Wildfire Prepared Resource Guide helps homeowners understand what those steps are and why they matter. It's an excellent resource for anyone who wants to reduce risk before the next wildfire threatens their community."

The guide covers topics including:

• Understanding wildfire risk

• Creating and maintaining defensible space

• Home hardening improvements that reduce wildfire vulnerability

• Preparing for wildfire season

• Insurance considerations for homeowners

• Additional wildfire preparedness resources

Homeowners can access the guide through the Washington Fire

Adapted Communities Learning Network at: https://bit.ly/3T0HMmd

The guide can also be downloaded directly at: https://bit.ly/4yhwme9

The NW Insurance Council encourages homeowners to prepare for wildfire season by understanding their property's wildfire risk, reviewing their insurance coverage annually, documenting their belongings with a home inventory, and taking steps to reduce the likelihood that a wildfire could damage their home.

For more information about property and casualty insurance, contact NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942.

Washington — E-Bike Law Changes: On June 11th new laws regarding E-Bikes were put into effect. The law specially separates E-Bikes from electric motorcycles.

An E-Bike must have pedals and rely somewhat on the power of the rider. The motors cannot exceed 750 watts. That gives speeds up to 28mph. Anything faster, or more powerful will be classified as an E-Motorcycle.

They will require a license and a motorcycle endorsement. No one under age 16 will be allowed to ride one on public streets.

Source link: KIRO TV — https://bit.ly/3T3JyTB

Washington — Premium Change Transparency (R 2024-07): We adopted the premium change transparency rule on July 2, 2026, and the rule takes effect on August 2, 2026. The original 2023 premium change transparency rule, adopted in Chapter 284-30A WAC, required greater insurer transparency around premium increases at renewal on insurance policies like residential property and private passenger auto. The Insurance Commissioner is now adopting rules to create a new phase two with additional insurer requirements and to delay the implementation date of the original phase two, proposed as the new phase three, until 2029.

For more information, including the adopted rule (CR-103) and the concise explanatory statement, please visit the rule's webpage.