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, date of loss, amounts paid by the insurer, and the suspected cause of the loss, particularly if it may involve criminal activity. Additionally, if an insurer suspects that a fire loss is due to criminal activity, they are required to report this immediately to local or tribal law enforcement and the insurance commissioner.

The bill also updates the confidentiality provisions surrounding the information reported by insurers. It specifies that documents and information related to fire loss claims are confidential and not subject to public disclosure, with certain exceptions for sharing with law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The insurance commissioner is granted the authority to adopt rules for implementing these reporting requirements, which will not be enforced until one year after the rules are established. Overall, the bill aims 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