Washington insurance laws
Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for Washington. Updated Aug 12, 2026.
Washington DOI page content changed
Washington DOI Website · Aug 20, 2026
Department of Insurance
Washington's insurance regulatory environment emphasizes consumer protection and accountability for insurers. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner oversees compliance with state laws and regulations, ensuring fair practices in the insurance market.
Auto Insurance
Notable Laws
- RCW 48.22.085-095: Mandatory offering of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage with minimum limits of $10,000 medical, $2,000 funeral, $10,000 income continuation
- RCW 48.22.030: Mandatory offering of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage equal to liability limits (minimum $25,000)
- RCW 48.18.545: Prohibition on canceling or non-renewing personal insurance based on credit history or insurance score
- RCW 48.30.340: Consumer right to choose any auto glass repair facility; restrictions on insurer-owned facilities
- RCW 48.19.035: Credit scoring restrictions for personal insurance rate-making; error correction requirements
- RCW 48.22.030 - Mandatory insurance requirements
- RCW 48.22.005 - Definitions
- RCW 48.30.010 - Unfair practices
- RCW 48.19.030 - Rate filing requirements
- RCW 48.22.085 - Personal injury protection coverage
- RCW 48.22.030 - Mandatory Insurance Requirements
- RCW 48.22.015 - Uninsured Motorist Coverage
- RCW 48.22.020 - Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- RCW 48.22.040 - Personal Injury Protection
Homeowners Insurance
Notable Laws
- RCW 48.18.290: 60-day advance notice required for cancellation or non-renewal of homeowners policies (extended from 45 days in 2024)
- RCW 48.18.545: Prohibition on canceling or non-renewing homeowners insurance based on credit history or insurance score
- Chapter 284-19 WAC: Washington FAIR Plan provides basic property insurance for hard-to-insure properties statewide
- RCW 48.19.035: Restrictions on use of credit scoring in homeowners insurance rates; consumer protections for credit errors
- Emergency Order 2023-01: Commissioner authority to issue moratoria on cancellations/non-renewals during wildfire and natural disaster events
- RCW 48.18.200 - Homeowners insurance requirements
- RCW 48.18.220 - Cancellation and nonrenewal
- RCW 48.18.230 - Notice requirements
- RCW 48.18.240 - Credit scoring
- RCW 48.18.250 - Fair plan provisions
- RCW 48.18.100 - Homeowners Insurance
- RCW 48.18.110 - Cancellation and Nonrenewal
- RCW 48.18.120 - Disclosure Requirements
- RCW 48.18.130 - Fair Plan Coverage
- RCW 48.18.140 - Flood Insurance
Recent Bulletins
Providing relief to Washington consumers from December 2025 atmospheric river and winter weather event
Emergency order providing relief to consumers impacted by December 2025 winter flooding and weather events. Suspends certain notice periods and cancellation requirements for property and casualty insurers.
View bulletinOIC's Interpretation of Chapter 48.200 RCW – Health care benefit managers
Technical assistance advisory providing OIC's interpretation of laws governing health care benefit managers, including registration requirements and conduct standards.
View bulletinImplementation of Chapter 389, Laws of 2025
Advisory on implementing new law granting the Insurance Commissioner authority to order restitution for consumers harmed by insurers or agents.
View bulletinThe use of artificial intelligence systems in insurance
Guidance on use of AI systems in insurance underwriting, rating, and claims. Emphasizes compliance with anti-discrimination laws and transparency requirements.
View bulletinOIC's Interpretation of Chap. 48.200 RCW & RCW 48.43.731 – Health care benefit managers
Technical assistance advisory providing interpretation of health care benefit manager laws and registration requirements under Chapter 48.200 RCW.
View bulletinRecent Law Changes
Preventive Services Bill
Preserves ACA provisions for preventive services and updates coverage standards.
Consumers will continue to have access to preventive services without cost-sharing.
Effective: 2026-03-09
Preventing unintentional lapses and cancellations of life insurance policies
Requires life insurers to notify policyholders and designated third parties before policies lapse due to non-payment, providing additional time to prevent unintentional cancellations.
Life insurance policyholders receive advance lapse notices and can designate third parties to receive warnings, reducing accidental policy terminations.
Effective: 2026-07-01
Prohibiting post-loss assignment of benefits in property insurance
Bans agreements where property owners assign insurance claim benefits to contractors after a loss occurs, preventing contractor abuse and fraud.
Homeowners protected from contractors soliciting assignment of insurance benefits after disasters; reduces insurance fraud.
Effective: 2026-05-01
Insurance Commissioner authority to order restitution
Grants the Insurance Commissioner power to order insurers and agents to provide restitution to consumers harmed by violations of insurance laws.
Policyholders can receive financial compensation through Commissioner orders without filing lawsuits when harmed by insurers or agents.
Effective: 2025-07-27
Mental health parity law updates
Strengthens mental health parity requirements ensuring health plans cover medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder services at parity with medical/surgical benefits.
Health insurers must provide equal coverage for mental health services; patients face fewer barriers to accessing behavioral health treatment.
Effective: 2025-01-01
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