Title 48 — Title 48 INSURANCE

(1) If pursuant to the laws of any other state or country, any taxes, licenses, fees, deposits, or other obligations or prohibitions, in the aggregate, or additional to or at a net rate in excess of any such taxes, licenses, fees, deposits or other obligations or prohibitions imp…

(1) Any insurer or taxpayer, as defined in RCW 48.14.0201, failing to file its tax statement and to pay the specified tax or prepayment of tax on premiums and prepayments for health care services by the last day of the month in which the tax becomes due shall be assessed a penalt…

In event any person has paid to the commissioner any tax, license fee or other charge in error or in excess of that which he or she is lawfully obligated to pay, the commissioner shall upon written request make a refund thereof. A person may only request a refund of taxes within …

(1) As to insurers, other than title insurers and taxpayers under RCW 48.14.0201, the taxes imposed by this title are in lieu of all other taxes, except as otherwise provided in this section.(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply with respect to:(a) Taxes on real and t…

In determining the amount of direct premium taxable in this state other than for policies issued by an eligible captive insurer as defined in RCW 48.201.020, all such premiums written, procured, or received in this state shall be deemed written upon risks or property resident, si…

(1) This section applies to any insurer or taxpayer, as defined in RCW 48.14.0201, violating or failing to comply with RCW 48.05.030(1), 48.17.060, 48.36A.290(1), 48.44.015(1), or 48.46.027(1).(2) Except as provided in subsections (7) and (8) of this section, RCW 48.14.020, 48.14…

Any foreign or alien insurer authorized to do business in this state which hereafter either withdraws from the state or has its certificate of authority suspended or revoked shall continue to pay premium taxes pursuant to this chapter as to policies upon risks or property residen…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Affiliate" means, with respect to an insured, any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the insured.(2) "Affiliated group" means any …

The commissioner may adopt rules to implement and administer this chapter.[ 2009 c 162 s 12.]Notes:Effective date—2009 c 162: See note following RCW 48.03.020.

(1) An insurer that is not authorized by the commissioner may not solicit insurance business in this state or transact insurance business in this state, except as provided in this chapter.(2)(a) A person may not, in this state, represent an unauthorized insurer except as provided…

(1) As used in this section, "person" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.01.070.(2) For the purpose of this section, an act is committed in this state if it is committed, in whole or in part, in the state of Washington, or affects persons or property within the state and relates t…

(1) A surplus line broker shall not engage in any act prohibited by RCW 48.05.465(2), 48.43.335(2), and chapter 48.30 RCW.(2) A surplus line broker is entitled to the immunities granted under RCW 48.43.105 and 48.50.070.(3) The rights and prohibitions applicable to insurance prod…

A contract of insurance effectuated by an unauthorized insurer in violation of the provisions of this code shall be voidable except at the instance of the insurer.[1947 c 79 s .15.03; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.15.03.]

When a national insurance producer database of the national association of insurance commissioners, or other equivalent uniform national database, for the licensure of surplus line brokers is created, the commissioner may participate in the database.[ 2011 c 31 s 4.]Notes:Effecti…

If certain insurance coverages cannot be procured from authorized insurers, such coverages, hereinafter designated as "surplus lines," may be procured from unauthorized insurers subject to the following conditions:(1) The insurance must be procured through a licensed surplus line…

A surplus line broker seeking to procure from or place insurance with an unauthorized insurer for an exempt commercial purchaser is not required to satisfy the diligent effort requirement set forth in RCW 48.15.040 when:(1) The surplus line broker or referring insurance producer …

Every insurance contract procured and delivered as a surplus line coverage pursuant to this chapter must have stamped upon it and be initialed by or bear the name of the surplus line broker who procured it, the following:"This contract is registered and delivered as a surplus lin…

Insurance contracts procured as surplus line coverage from unauthorized insurers in accordance with this chapter shall be fully valid and enforceable as to all parties, and shall be given recognition in all matters and respects to the same effect as like contracts issued by autho…

Any individual while a resident of this state, or any firm, corporation, or other business entity that has in its employ a qualified individual who is a resident of this state and who is authorized to exercise the powers of the firm or corporation, deemed by the commissioner to b…

(1) The commissioner may license a nonresident person as a surplus line broker who is not a resident of this state if the person's resident state issues nonresident surplus line broker licenses to residents of this state on the same basis.(2) A nonresident that holds a surplus li…

A licensed surplus line broker may accept and place surplus line business for any insurance producer licensed in this state for the kind of insurance involved, and may compensate that insurance producer therefor.[ 2008 c 217 s 9; 1947 c 79 s .15.08; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.15.08.]No…

(1) If pursuant to the surplus lines provisions of this chapter an insurer has assumed direct risk under a coverage and the premium therefor has been paid to the broker who placed such insurance, the insurer shall be liable to the insured for unearned premiums payable upon cancel…

(1) A surplus line broker must not knowingly place surplus line insurance with insurers unsound financially. The surplus line broker must ascertain the financial condition of the unauthorized insurer, and maintain written evidence thereof, before placing insurance therewith. The …

(1) Each licensed surplus line broker shall keep a full and true record of each surplus line contract procured by him or her including a copy of the daily report, if any, showing such of the following items as may be applicable:(a) Amount of the insurance;(b) Gross premiums charg…

(1) A surplus line broker doing business under any name other than the surplus line broker's legal name is required to register the name in accordance with chapter 19.80 RCW and notify the commissioner before using the assumed name.(2) Every licensed surplus line broker shall hav…

(1) Each surplus line broker must on or before the first day of March of each year file with the commissioner a verified statement of all surplus line insurance transacted by him or her during the preceding calendar year.(2) The statement must be in a form and format as prescribe…

(1) On or before the first day of March of each year each surplus line broker must remit to the state treasurer through the commissioner a tax on the premiums, exclusive of sums collected to cover federal and state taxes and examination fees, on surplus line insurance subject to …

If any surplus line broker fails to file his or her annual statement, or fails to remit the tax provided by RCW 48.15.120, by the last day of the month in which the tax becomes due, the surplus line broker must pay the penalties provided in RCW 48.14.060(1). The tax may be collec…

(1) The commissioner may place on probation, revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew any surplus line broker's license, or may levy a civil penalty in accordance with RCW 48.17.560 or any combination of actions, for any one or more of the following causes:(a) If the surplus line brok…

The commissioner shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person issued under this chapter who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order. If the person h…

(1) For any cause of action arising in this state under any contract issued as a surplus line contract under this chapter, an unauthorized insurer must be sued in the superior court of the county in which the cause of action arose.(2) An unauthorized insurer issuing a policy unde…

(1) The provisions of this chapter controlling the placing of insurance with unauthorized insurers shall not apply to reinsurance, to insurance issued by a registered eligible captive insurer under chapter 48.201 RCW, or to the following insurances when so placed by licensed insu…

Every person for whom insurance has been placed with an unauthorized insurer pursuant to or in violation of this chapter shall, upon the commissioner's order, produce for his or her examination all policies and other documents evidencing the insurance, and shall disclose to the c…

(1) A surplus line broker, its representative, or any person licensed under this chapter involved in the procuring or issuance of an insurance contract and who receives any funds representing premiums or return premiums which belong to or should be paid to another person as a res…

It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to remove, reproduce, duplicate, or distribute in any form, any question used by the state of Washington to determine the qualifications and competence of surplus line brokers required by this title to be licensed. This section does not …

The commissioner shall accept deposits of securities or funds by insurers as follows:(1) Deposits in amount as required to be made as prerequisite to a certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state.(2) Deposits of domestic or alien insurers in amount as required to…

Each such deposit shall be held by the commissioner in trust for the protection of all policyholders in the United States of the insurer making it; except that deposits of alien insurers shall be so held for the security of such insurer's obligations arising out of its insurance …

All such deposits shall consist of cash funds or public obligations as specified in *RCW 48.13.040; except, that with respect to deposits held on account of registered policies heretofore issued, the commissioner may accept deposit of such other kinds of securities as are express…

(1) The commissioner shall deliver to the insurer a receipt for all funds and securities so deposited by it.(2) The commissioner or the designated depositary shall keep a record in permanent form of all funds and securities so deposited.[ 1955 c 86 s 6; 1947 c 79 s .16.05; Rem. S…

(1) No transfer of any funds or security so held on deposit, whether voluntary or by operation of law, shall be valid unless approved in writing by the commissioner.(2) A statement of each such transfer shall be entered on the records of the commissioner or designated depositary,…

The commissioner may designate any solvent trust company or other solvent financial institution having trust powers as the commissioner's depositary to receive and hold any deposit of securities. Any deposit so held shall be at the expense of the insurer. Any solvent financial in…

The state of Washington shall be responsible for the safekeeping and return of all funds and securities deposited pursuant to this chapter with the commissioner or in any such depositary so designated by him or her.[ 2009 c 549 s 7061; 1955 c 86 s 9; 1947 c 79 s .16.08; Rem. Supp…

While solvent and complying with this code an insurer shall be entitled:(1) To collect and receive interest and dividends accruing on the securities so held on deposit for its account, and(2) From time to time exchange and substitute for any of such securities, other securities e…

(1) Any such required deposit shall be released in these instances only:(a) Upon extinguishment of all liabilities of the insurer for the security of which the deposit is held, by reinsurance contract or otherwise.(b) If any such deposit or portion thereof is no longer required u…

Any part of any deposit of an insurer held by the commissioner which is in amount in excess of the deposit required or permitted to be made by such insurer under this code, shall, upon written order of the commissioner, be released; except, that no deposit held on account of any …

An insurer may deposit and maintain on deposit with the commissioner funds and eligible securities in amount exceeding its required deposit under this code by not more than one hundred thousand dollars, for the purpose of absorbing fluctuations in the value of securities held in …

No judgment creditor or other claimant of an insurer shall levy upon any deposit held pursuant to this chapter, or upon any part thereof.[1947 c 79 s .16.13; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.16.13.]

The commissioner may adopt rules to implement and administer this chapter.[ 2007 c 117 s 35.]

The definitions in this section apply throughout this title unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Adjuster" means any person who either investigates and negotiates settlement relative to insurance claims, or applies the factual circumstances of an insurance claim to …

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6248-S.SL) ***(1) A person shall not sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance in this state for any line or lines of insurance unless the person is licensed for that line of authority in accordance with this chapter.(2) A person may not act as or hold him…