Introduced by Sen. Brian Weinstein, (D-Eastside Suburbs) (D) on January 29, 2007
To create the “Insurance Fair Conduct Act.” The bill would prohibit insurance companies from unreasonably or negligently denying a claim for coverage or payment of benefits to an insured. A plaintiff successfully proving a violation through a legal challenge may be awarded up to three times the original claim amount plus legal expenses. See companion HB 1491. Official Text and Analysis.
Referred to the Senate Consumer Protection & Housing Committee on January 29, 2007
Substitute offered to the Senate Consumer Protection & Housing Committee on February 16, 2007
To allow only insureds and first party claimants to bring a cause of action against an insurer for unreasonable or negligent denial of coverage.
It is clarified that a violation of the Washington Administrative Code is not sufficient on its own to justify an award of treble damages; rather, the violation must also be negligent or unreasonable.
The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on March 13, 2007
Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 16, 2007
Amendment offered by Sen. Jean Berkey, (D-Everett) (D) on March 13, 2007
To remove provisions relating to unreasonable delays in
payment of insurance benefits. Also, only a claimant who is a covered person under the relevant
insurance policy may seek redress under this act.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on March 13, 2007
Amendment offered by Sen. Jim Honeyford (Grandview) (R) on March 13, 2007
To deletes the provision authorizing treble damages.
Amendment offered by Sen. Dale Brandland, (R-Bellingham) (R) on March 13, 2007
To make the award of attorneys' fees discretionary
instead of mandatory. Neither treble damages nor attorneys' fees are available for
violations of the applicable WACs that are not unreasonable denials of
coverage. A court may award only "reasonable" actual litigation costs to
prevailing plaintiffs.
Referred to the House Insurance, Financial Services, and Consumer Protection Committee on March 15, 2007
Amendment offered to the House Insurance, Financial Services, and Consumer Protection Committee on March 29, 2007
To narrow the reference to the insurance rules that can serve as a basis for treble damages or attorneys'
fees. The engrossed substitute bill referred to any rule adopted under the authority
of RCW 48.30.010. The amended bill refers to five existing rules and any additional rules
adopted as unfair claims settlement practice rules by the Commissioner that are intended to
implement the act and codified in chapter 284-30 of the Washington Administrative Code.
The five specific rules address the following areas: specific unfair claims settlement
practices; misrepresentation of policy provisions; failure to acknowledge pertinent
communications; standards for prompt investigation; and standards for prompt, fair and
equitable settlements applicable to all insurers. The provision that states that the remedies in
the bill are separate from any remedies prescribed in RCW 19.86.090 of the CPA is
removed. The existing ability of a court to make any other determination regarding an unfair
practice by an insurer or provide for any other remedy that is available at law is specifically
not limited by the bill. This section does not limit a court's existing ability to make any other
determination regarding an action for an unfair or deceptive practice of an insurer or provide
for any other remedy that is available at law..
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on April 5, 2007
Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 30, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Mark Ericks, (D-Bothell) (D) on April 5, 2007
To require that a first party claimant must give written notice to the
insurer and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner twenty
days before filing suit. Notice is deemed to be received three
business days after it is mailed. The statute of limitation is
tolled for the twenty day period.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on April 5, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Ross Hunter (Medina) (D) on April 5, 2007
To require that the remedies available in the bill do not apply to a
health plan offered by a health carrier.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on April 5, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Dan Roach, (R-Bonney Lake) (R) on April 5, 2007
To clarify that the provisions of the bill are replaced with a study by
the insurance commissioner. The insurance commissioner must consult
with stakeholders. The study must include a comparison of causes of
action and remedies available concerning claims practices in Washington
and other states. The study must review any correlation between
increased liability for insurers and impacts on premiums. The
insurance commissioner may make policy recommendations in the study.
The study is due by December 1, 2007.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 5, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Dan Roach, (R-Bonney Lake) (R) on April 5, 2007
To clarify that the provision that allows a court to award up to treble
the amount of actual damages is removed.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 5, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Jay Rodne (North Bend) (R) on April 5, 2007
To clarify that in order to obtain treble damages, a first party claimant
must show by clear and convincing evidence that an unreasonable denial
of coverage or payment occurs with a frequency that it is a general
business practice of the insurer and that the act was willful, wanton,
and malicious or in reckless disregard of the first party claimant's
rights. The court may award reasonable attorneys' fees and reasonable
litigation costs to the prevailing first party claimant. The act does
not create a class action suit against an insurer or their employees.
The remedies provided for in this section shall be the exclusive
remedies available to any party seeking recovery under this section.
No other remedy, at common law or pursuant to statute, shall be awarded
against an insurer with respect to a claim which is subject to this
act. The damages recoverable include those damages which are a
reasonably foreseeable result of a specified violation by the insurer.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 5, 2007
Amendment offered by Rep. Jay Rodne (North Bend) (R) on April 5, 2007
To require that a court is not required to award attorneys' fees and
litigation costs. A court may only award "reasonable" actual
litigation costs.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on April 5, 2007