Title 48 — Title 48 INSURANCE

(1) There shall be an insurance commissioner of this state who shall be elected at the time and in the manner that other state officers are elected.(2) The commissioner in office at the effective date of this code shall continue in office for the remainder of the term for which h…

The term of office of the commissioner shall be four years, commencing on the Wednesday after the second Monday in January after his or her election.[ 2009 c 549 s 7002; 1947 c 79 s .02.02; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.02.02.]

Before entering upon his or her duties the commissioner shall execute a bond to the state in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, to be approved by the state treasurer and the attorney general, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office.[ 200…

The official seal of the commissioner shall be a vignette of George Washington, with the words "Insurance Commissioner, State of Washington" surrounding the vignette.[1947 c 79 s .02.05; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.02.05.]

(1) The commissioner has the authority expressly conferred upon him or her by or reasonably implied from the provisions of this code.(2) The commissioner must execute his or her duties and must enforce the provisions of this code.(3) The commissioner may:(a) Make reasonable rules…

The insurance commissioner may adopt rules to implement RCW 48.21.241, 48.44.341, and 48.46.291, except that the rules do not apply to health benefit plans administered or operated under chapter 41.05 or 70.47 RCW.[ 2005 c 6 s 10.]Notes:Findings—Intent—Severability—2005 c 6: See …

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2384-S2.SL) ***(1) Documents, materials, or other information as described in subsections (5), (6), (7), and (8) of this section are confidential by law and privileged, are not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW, and are not subject t…

(1) All nonpublic personal health information obtained by, disclosed to, or in the custody of the commissioner, regardless of the form or medium, is confidential and is not subject to public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW. The commissioner shall not disclose nonpublic persona…

(1) The commissioner may prosecute an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any order made by him or her pursuant to any provision of this code.(2) If the commissioner has cause to believe that any person has violated any penal provision of this code or of othe…

(1) The commissioner may appoint a chief deputy commissioner, who shall have power to perform any act or duty conferred upon the commissioner. The chief deputy commissioner shall take and subscribe the same oath of office as the commissioner, which oath shall be endorsed upon the…

There is established, within the office of the insurance commissioner, the volunteer position of health care authority ombuds to assist retirees enrolled in the public employees' benefits board program. The volunteer position shall be trained as part of the existing volunteer tra…

Any power or duty vested in the commissioner by any provision of this code may be exercised or discharged by any deputy, assistant, examiner, or employee of the commissioner acting in his or her name and by his or her authority.[ 2009 c 549 s 7007; 1947 c 79 s .02.10; Rem. Supp. …

The commissioner shall have an office at the state capital, and may maintain such offices elsewhere in this state as he or she may deem necessary.[ 2009 c 549 s 7008; 1947 c 79 s .02.11; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.02.11.]

(1) The commissioner shall preserve in permanent form records of his or her proceedings, hearings, investigations, and examinations, and shall file such records in his or her office.(2) The records of the commissioner and insurance filings in his or her office shall be open to pu…

Whenever any documents are filed with the insurance commissioner which affect a corporate or company name, the insurance commissioner shall immediately notify the secretary of state of the filing. If any other action is taken by the insurance commissioner which affects a corporat…

(1) Any certificate or license issued by the commissioner shall bear the seal of his or her office.(2) Copies of records or documents in his or her office certified to by the commissioner shall be received as evidence in all courts in the same manner and to the same effect as if …

(1) The commissioner shall to the extent he or she deems useful for the proper discharge of his or her responsibilities under the provisions of this code:(a) Consult and cooperate with the public officials having supervision over insurance in other states.(b) Share jointly with o…

The commissioner must purchase at the expense of the state, and in the manner provided by law, printing, books, reports, furniture, equipment, and supplies as he or she deems necessary to the proper discharge of his or her duties under this code.[ 2011 c 47 s 2; 2009 c 549 s 7011…

The commissioner shall:(1) Obtain and publish for the use of courts and appraisers throughout the state, tables showing the average expectancy of life and values of annuities and of life and term estates.(2) Disseminate information concerning the insurance laws of this state.(3) …

The commissioner shall, as soon as accurate preparation enables, prepare a report of his or her official transactions during the preceding fiscal year, containing information relative to insurance as the commissioner deems proper.[ 2009 c 549 s 7012; 1987 c 505 s 53; 1977 c 75 s …

(1) The commissioner may periodically prepare and publish:(a) Title 48 RCW, Title 284 WAC, insurance bulletins and technical assistance advisories, and other laws, rules, or regulations relevant to the regulation of insurance;(b) Manuals and other material relating to examination…

(1) As used in this section:(a) "Insurance fraud surcharge" means the fees imposed by subsection (2)(b) of this section.(b) "Organization" means every insurer, as defined in RCW 48.01.050, having a certificate of authority to do business in this state, every health care service c…

(1) Legal process against a person (a) for whom the commissioner has been appointed attorney for service of process, or (b) who may be served by service of process upon the commissioner, must be served upon the commissioner either by a person competent to serve a summons or by re…

(1) The commissioner shall accept registration of health care benefit managers as established in RCW 48.200.030 and receipts shall be deposited in the insurance commissioner's regulatory account.(2) The commissioner shall have enforcement authority over chapter 48.200 RCW consist…

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all insurers, fraternal benefit societies, health carriers including disability insurers, health maintenance organizations, and health care service contractors, and limited health care service contractors may not:(a) Decline or limi…

(1) The commissioner shall develop and implement a process for an affected licensee to petition the commissioner for the removal of any disciplinary investigations and orders on the affected licensee's public disciplinary record related solely to an email-based violation of RCW 4…