Around the PIA Western Alliance States – Week of June 23

Washington — Registering and identifying umpires in auto appraisals (R 2025-04): We are starting rulemaking R2025-04 to implement Engrossed Substitute Bill 5721. The new law requires the Insurance Commissioner to register competent and disinterested umpires who will be identified to appraisers if they are unable to agree on an umpire to resolve their loss dispute.

The comment period for this rule began on June 18, 2025 and will close on August 1, 2025. Please send comments to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.

For more information, including the notice to start rulemaking (CR-101), please visit the registering and identifying umpires in auto appraisals (R 2025-04) webpage — https://bit.ly/4eoJbtA

Washington — Clarifying and updating the minimum standards for claims handling (R 2025-05): We are starting rulemaking R 2025-05, Clarifying and updating the minimum standards for claim handling, to address a changing claim environment. The Commissioner is considering conduct that may be unfair or deceptive to clarify and update the minimum standards that first-party and third-party insurers must comply with during any claim investigation and adjustment. Claim process disputes can occur when the insurance company fails to fairly and fully investigate the loss, and at times forces the consumer to complete the insurance company’s investigative duties. With a changing technological and workforce environment, rulemaking may update and clarify requirements to maintain a fair claim environment for consumers that will provide transparency into the decisions that affect their financial recovery.

The comment period for this rule began on June 18, 2025 and will close on August 1, 2025. Please send comments to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.

For more information, including the notice to start rulemaking (CR-101), please visit the clarifying and updating the minimum standards for claims handling (R 2025-05) webpage — https://bit.ly/4l2Qw4y

Washington — Implementation of SSB 5419, Fire loss reporting (R 2025-03): We are starting rulemaking R 2025-03 on fire loss reporting to implement passed legislation. This rule will implement Substitute Senate Bill 5419, which requires insurers to report fire losses to the OIC. The Commissioner is considering rulemaking to assist insurance companies with fire loss data reporting requirements.

The comment period for this rule began on June 18, 2025 and will close on August 1, 2025. Please send comments to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.

For more information, including the notice to start rulemaking (CR-101), please visit the implementation of SSB 5419, Fire loss reporting (R 2025-03) webpage — https://bit.ly/4eoDOuq

Washington — Health carrier rate development components (R 2025-02): We are considering rulemaking (R 2025-02) to preserve health insurance affordability for consumers, ensure that affected entities understand rate development requirements, and make uniform rate development standards that preserve a level playing field among carriers and foster transparency and healthy competition in the market. These changes would apply to plan years beginning in 2027. OIC may amend Chapter 284-43 WAC to accomplish this goal.

The comment period for this rule began on June 18, 2025, and will close on July 17, 2025. Please send comments to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.

For more information, including the notice to start rulemaking (CR-101), please visit the health carrier rate development components (R 2025-02) webpage — https://bit.ly/44b1Ioh