The bill amends several sections of Washington state law regarding the reporting of fire losses by insurers. It introduces new requirements for insurers to report fire losses to the insurance commissioner within 90 days of closing a claim or making adjustments related to fire damage. The report must include specific information such as the zip code of the property, the date of loss, the amount paid by the insurer, the suspected cause of the loss, and the insurer's company number. Additionally, if an insurer suspects that a fire loss may be due to criminal activity, they are required to report this immediately to local or tribal law enforcement and the insurance commissioner.

The bill also clarifies that documents and information related to these reports are confidential and privileged, exempt from public disclosure under the Public Records Act. It allows the insurance commissioner to share this information with various regulatory and law enforcement agencies while maintaining confidentiality. The bill further stipulates that insurers are immune from liability for reporting information related to suspected criminal activity, provided there is no actual malice. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the reporting process for fire losses and improve coordination between insurers and law enforcement agencies.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 42.56.400, 48.05.320, 48.50.040
Substitute Bill: 42.56.400, 48.05.320, 48.50.040