Washington OIC Moves to Implement Travel Insurance Law Passed in 2026

Washington — Implementing travel insurance regulation (R 2026-05): We are considering a proposed rule to implement Substitute Senate Bill 6248, which establishes a framework for selling travel insurance in Washington.

Substitute Senate Bill 6248 passed during the 2026 legislative session. The bill was largely modeled after the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Travel Insurance Model Act. This rulemaking will facilitate implementation of the new law, which creates a new travel insurance chapter in the insurance code and would outline a framework within which travel insurance may be sold in Washington state.

Rulemaking may be necessary to address certain changes in law, including new definitions, producer licensing requirements, rate and form filing requirements, and marketing and advertising requirements. In addition to other provisions, the new law broadens who can sell travel insurance by establishing a ‘travel administrator’ and requires them to be licensed as a limited line travel insurance producer and exempts them from adjuster licensing requirements. The commissioner is considering amending the following WACs, which may include but not be limited to: WAC 284-17-001; WAC 284-17-011; WAC 284-24-065.

The comment period for this rule began on August 14, 2026, at 8 a.m. and is open until September 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.. Please send comments to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.

For more information, including the notice to start rulemaking (CR-101), please visit the rule webpage.