Date of Adoption: June 30, 2003.

     Purpose: Automobile total loss settlement is the single largest source of consumer inquiries and complaints received by the property and casualty section of the consumer advocacy division. The commissioner has reviewed WAC 284-30-390 and these regulations clarify, simplify, and make this chapter more effective.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 284-30-390.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 48.02.060, 48.30.010.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 03-09-143 on April 23, 2003.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version:

•     WAC 284-30-390, reference to "WAC 284-30-3915" was changed to "WAC 284-30-3916" to include the last section.

•     WAC 284-30-3901, "WAC 284-30-3915" was changed to "WAC 284-30-3916" to include the last section; (2) deleted "has been verified by the insurer to be" added "is"; deleted "as determined and measured within the principally garaged area" added "if they are itemized and appropriate in dollar amount. An insurer must consider information supplied by your when determining deductions or additions."

•     WAC 284-30-3902(3), replaced "Your" with "The." Deleted "(a) Inspect a replacement vehicle," (5) replaced "the" with "your" and replaced "shall" with "must."

•     WAC 284-30-3903 (3)(a), deleted "a"; made "shop" and "names" plural and added "reasonably close to you."

•     WAC 284-30-3904(1), deleted "the company" and added "your insurer." (2) Replaced "The" with "Your."

•     WAC 284-30-3907, in section heading deleted "an" and replaced with "my." (1) and (2) deleted references to "An" insurer and replaced them with "Your" insurer. (2)(vi) deleted "Minimum thirty" and added "If more than thirty comparable vehicles are used, only thirty must be listed." (e) Deleted "The" and replaced with "Your."

•     WAC 284-30-3908, in section heading replaced "reduce" with "adjust" and in 1st paragraph replaced "reduced" with "adjusted." (1) added "unrepaired" in front of damage. (2) added "At your request."

•     WAC 284-30-3911 (1) and (2), replaced "the" with "your." (3)(g) deleted "the list required under this section must include a minimum of thirty comparable vehicles and" and replaced with "the insurer must." Added "If more than thirty comparable vehicles are used, only thirty must be listed."

•     WAC 284-30-3912, in the section heading "the" was replaced with "my." (2) deleted "in excess of" and added "that costs more than"; deleted "the" and replaced with "your"; (b) deleted "before applicable deductions."

•     WAC 284-30-3916, in the last sentence, "The" insurer was changed to "Your" insurer.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 16, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 16, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 16, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2003.

June 30, 2003

Mike Watson

for Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner

OTS-6111.6

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order R 87-5, filed 4/21/87)

WAC 284-30-390   ((Standards for prompt, fair and equitable settlements applicable to automobile insurance.)) Regulation of settlements of insurance claims relating to vehicles.   ((The following standards apply to insurance claims relating to motorcycles and private passenger automobiles as defined in RCW 48.18.297:

     (1) When the insurance policy provides for the adjustment and settlement of first party automobile total losses on the basis of actual cash value or replacement with another of like kind and quality, one of the following methods must apply:

     (a) The insurer may elect to offer a replacement automobile which is a specific comparable automobile available to the insured, with all applicable taxes, license fees and other fees incident to transfer of evidence of ownership of the automobile paid, at no cost other than any deductible provided in the policy. The offer and any rejection thereof must be documented in the claim file.

     (b) The insurer may elect a cash settlement based upon the actual cost, less any deductible provided in the policy, to purchase a comparable automobile including all applicable taxes, license fees and other fee incident to transfer of evidence of ownership of a comparable automobile. Such cost may be determined by

     (i) The cost of a comparable automobile in the local market area when a comparable automobile is available in the local market area. Any settlement offer which relies upon prices of automobiles advertised for sale in local newspapers may include only prices for automobiles verified by the insurer as being comparable in age and condition to the insured automobile; or

     (ii) One of two or more quotations obtained by the insurer from two or more qualified dealers located within the local market area when a comparable automobile is not available in the local market area. An insurer must accurately describe the age and condition of the insured automobile to the dealers surveyed and may use only price quotations for the retail selling price of a comparable automobile.

     (c) When a first party automobile total loss is settled on a basis which deviates from the methods described in subsections (1)(a) and (1)(b) of this section, the deviation must be supported by documentation giving particulars of the automobile condition. Any deductions from such cost, including deduction for salvage, must be measurable, discernible, itemized and specified as to dollar amount and shall be appropriate in amount. The basis for such settlement shall be fully explained to the first party claimant.

     (2) Where liability and damages are reasonably clear, insurers shall not recommend that third party claimants make claim under their own policies solely to avoid paying claims under such insurer's insurance policy or insurance contract.

     (3) Insurers shall not require a claimant to travel unreasonably either to inspect a replacement automobile, to obtain a repair estimate or to have the automobile repaired at a specific repair shop, or to obtain a temporary rental or loaner automobile.

     (4) Insurers shall, upon the claimant's request, include the first party claimant's deductible, if any, in subrogation demands. Subrogation recoveries shall be shared on a proportionate basis with the first party claimant, unless the deductible amount has been otherwise recovered. No deduction for expenses can be made from the deductible recovery unless an outside attorney is retained to collect such recovery. The deduction may then be for only a pro rata share of the allocated loss adjustment expense. An insurer shall keep first party claimants apprised of its efforts relative to subrogation claims.

     (5) If an insurer prepares an estimate of the cost of automobile repairs, such estimate shall be itemized and shall be in an amount for which it may be reasonably expected the damage can be satisfactorily repaired. The insurer shall give a copy of the estimate to the claimant and shall, upon request, furnish to the claimant the names of repair shops convenient to the claimant that will satisfactorily complete the repairs for the estimated cost, having in mind, particularly, the problems associated with the repair of unibody vehicles.

     (6) In first party claim situations, if an insurer elects to exercise a contract right to repair and designates a specific repair shop for automobile repairs, the insurer shall cause the damaged automobile to be restored to its condition prior to the loss at no additional cost to the claimant other than as stated in the policy and within a reasonable period of time.

     (7) In any claim situation, an insurer shall make a good faith effort to honor a claimant's request for repairs to be made in a specific repair shop of the claimant's choice, and shall not arbitrarily deny such request. A denial of such a request solely because of the repair shop's hourly rate is arbitrary if such rate does not result in a higher overall cost of repairs. The insurer shall make an appropriate notation in its claim file setting forth the reason it has rejected a claimant's request.

     (8) Deductions for betterment and depreciation are permitted only for parts normally subject to repair and replacement during the useful life of the insured motor vehicle. Deductions for betterment and depreciation shall be limited to the lesser of an amount equal to the proportion that the expired life of the part to be repaired or replaced bears to the normal useful life of that part, or the amount which the resale value of the vehicle is increased by the repair or replacement. Calculations for betterment, depreciation, and normal useful life must be included in the insurer's claim file.)) WAC 284-30-390 through 284-30-3916 are the standards for prompt, fair, and equitable settlements for insurance claims relating to vehicles.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060, 48.44.050 and 48.46.200. 87-09-071 (Order R 87-5), § 284-30-390, filed 4/21/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060 (3)(a). 85-02-019 (Order R 84-8), § 284-30-390, filed 12/27/84. Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060 and 48.30.010. 78-08-082 (Order R 78-3), § 284-30-390, filed 7/27/78, effective 9/1/78.]

     (1) "Actual cash value" means the cost to you to replace your vehicle with a comparable vehicle.

     (2) "Comparable vehicle" means a vehicle that is the same make and model, same or newer year, similar body style, similar options and mileage as your vehicle and in as good or better overall condition as established by current data. To achieve comparability, any deductions or additions for options, mileage or condition can only be made if they are itemized and appropriate in dollar amount. An insurer must consider information supplied by you when determining deductions or additions.

     (3) "Current data" means data no older than ninety days from the date of loss.

     (4) "Principally garaged" means the zip code where the vehicle is normally kept.

     (5) "Settlement" means when the payment is actually made to you and/or your lien holder.

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     (2) Upon your request, the insurer must provide you names of repair shops within your principally garaged area that will satisfactorily complete the repairs for the estimated cost.

     (3) The insurer cannot require you to travel unreasonably to:

     (a) Obtain a repair estimate;

     (b) Have the vehicle repaired at a specific repair shop; or

     (c) Obtain a temporary rental or loaner vehicle.

     (4) Deductions for betterment and depreciation may be taken only for parts normally subject to repair and replacement during the useful life of the insured motor vehicle. Deductions for betterment and depreciation are limited to the increase in the actual cash value of the vehicle caused by the replacement of the part, or the amount equal to the proportion that the expired life of the part to be repaired or replaced bears to the normal useful life of that part, whichever is less.

     (5) Your insurer may elect to exercise its right, under the terms of your insurance contract, to repair your vehicle and designate a specific repair shop for your vehicle repairs. In this case, your insurer must restore your vehicle to its condition prior to the loss at no additional cost to you other than as stated in your policy.

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     (2) A denial of your request solely because of the repair shop's hourly rate is arbitrary if the rate does not result in a higher overall cost of repairs.

     (3) If the overall cost of repairs cannot be agreed upon, the insurer will:

     (a) Provide you with the names of reputable repair shops reasonably close to you that can satisfactorily complete the repairs for the amount of their estimate; and

     (b) Make an appropriate notation in its claim file setting forth the reason it has rejected your request.

     (4) If you choose to take your vehicle to a repair facility in which the overall cost for a satisfactory repair is higher than the insurer's estimate, you may be liable for any additional amount above their estimate.

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     (2) Your insurer will inform you of its efforts relative to collection of your deductible.

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     (2) No deduction for expenses can be made from the deductible recovery unless an outside attorney is retained to collect such recovery, and then only for the pro rata share of the allocated loss adjustment expense.

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     (1) Replacing your vehicle: Your insurer can settle your claim by offering to replace your vehicle with a comparable vehicle that is available for inspection within a reasonable distance from where your vehicle is principally garaged. Your insurer must advise you by phone or in writing of their settlement offer. This communication must be documented in the claim file. If it is a phone call, the documentation must include the date, time, and name of the person in your household they spoke with.

     (2) Cash settlement: Your insurer can settle your claim by offering a cash settlement based on the actual cash value to purchase a comparable vehicle. Only vehicles identified as comparable may be used to arrive at the actual cash value. You can request a copy of the "valuation report" that notes the information used to determine the amount of the cash settlement. The offer of a cash settlement must use one of the following methods:

     (a) The actual cash value of a comparable vehicle based on current data obtained from the principally garaged area. If a comparable vehicle cannot be found within the principally garaged area, the search area may be expanded only in increasing circles of twenty-five mile increments until a comparable vehicle is identified.

     (b) Quotations for the actual cash value of a comparable vehicle obtained from two or more licensed dealers located within the principally garaged area. If two or more licensed dealers cannot be found within the principally garaged area, the search area may be expanded only in increasing circles of twenty-five mile increments until two or more quotes for comparable vehicles are obtained.

     (c) The actual cash value of two or more comparable vehicles advertised for sale in the local media if the advertisements are no older than ninety days. The vehicle must be located within the principally garaged area. If two or more comparable vehicles cannot be found within the principally garaged area, the search area may be expanded only in increasing circles of twenty-five mile increments until two or more comparable vehicles are identified.

     (d) Any source for determining statistically valid actual cash values within your vehicle's principally garaged area that meets all of the following criteria:

     (i) The source must give primary consideration to the values of vehicles in the zip code where your vehicle was principally garaged.

     (ii) The source's data base must produce values for at least eighty-five percent of all makes and models for a minimum of fifteen years taking into account the values of all major options for such vehicles.

     (iii) The source must produce actual cash values based on current data available from the principally garaged area. If comparable vehicles cannot be found within the principally garaged area, the search area may be expanded until comparable vehicles are identified to assure statistical validity.

     (iv) The source must rely upon the actual cash value of comparable vehicles that are currently available or were available in the market place within ninety days from the date of loss.

     (v) Any adjustments for betterment or depreciation must be in compliance with WAC 284-30-3908.

     (vi) The source must provide a list of the comparable vehicles used to determine the actual cash value. If more than thirty comparable vehicles are used, only thirty must be listed.

     (e) When you and your insurer both agree, an evaluation that varies from the methods described in (a) through (d) of this subsection may be used. The determination of value must be supported by documentation. Your insurer must take reasonable steps to validate that the value so determined is accurate and representative of what the actual cash value would be of a comparable vehicle in the principally garaged area.

     (f) Insurers remain responsible for the accuracy of evaluations based on outside sources used to establish actual cash values.

     (3) Appraisal: If you and your insurer fail to agree on the actual cash value of your vehicle and your policy has an appraisal provision, you or your insurer may request that the appraisal provision of your policy be used as a method to resolve disputes concerning the actual cash value.

     (4) Applicable taxes, license fees, and other fees incidental to transfer of evidence of ownership must be added to the actual cash value.

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     (1) Deductions are allowable for prior unrepaired damage. The amount of deduction can be no greater than the decrease in actual cash value due to prior damage.

     (2) When you retain your total loss vehicle, your insurer may deduct the salvage value from the actual cash value, including all applicable taxes and fees. At your request, the insurer must provide you with the name and address of a salvage dealer or dismantler who will purchase the salvage for the amount deducted with no additional charge. This option must be available for at least thirty days after receipt of the settlement. This option will not be available if, after settlement, the condition of the salvage has been changed.

     (3) Any additions or deductions from the actual cash value must be measurable, discernible, itemized and specified as to dollar amounts.

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     (2) If your claim is being handled under your insurance policy, it will depend on the terms and conditions in your policy.

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     (1) All information collected during the initial inspection that sets forth the condition, equipment, and mileage of your vehicle;

     (2) All information that the insurer used to arrive at your actual cash value of the vehicle;

     (3) A list of the comparable vehicles used by the insurer to arrive at the actual cash value. This list must include:

     (a) The source of the information used;

     (b) The date of the information;

     (c) The seller's telephone number;

     (d) The asking price;

     (e) The sold price, if the sold price is available and verified;

     (f) The location of each vehicle at the time of the valuation.

     (g) When an insurer uses a source for determining statistically valid actual cash values meeting the requirements of WAC 284-30-3907 (2)(d), the insurer must give primary consideration to vehicles in the zip code where your vehicle was principally garaged. If more than thirty comparable vehicles are used, only thirty must be listed.

     Any supplemental or ancillary information must be clearly identified with a separate heading. Any weighing of identified vehicles to arrive at an average must be documented and explained.

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     (2) If you notify your insurer within thirty-five days of receipt of the settlement that you cannot purchase a comparable vehicle for the settlement amount and you located, but did not purchase a comparable vehicle that costs more than the settlement amount, your insurer must reopen your claim file and either:

     (a) Locate a comparable vehicle that is currently available for the settlement amount;

     (b) Pay you the difference between the settlement amount and the cost of the comparable vehicle or purchase the comparable vehicle for you; or

     (c) If not previously utilized, conclude the loss settlement in the manner provided in the appraisal section of your insurance policy in force at the time of the loss.

     (3) Your insurer is not required to reopen your claim file if:

     (a) At the time of settlement, you were provided written notification of the availability and location of a specific and comparable vehicle that could have been purchased for the settlement amount; and

     (b) You did not purchase the vehicle within thirty-five days of the receipt of the settlement.

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     (1) Advise you by phone or in writing before they stop payment for storage of your vehicle. This communication must be documented in the claim file. If it is a phone call, the documentation must include the date, time, name of the person in your household they spoke with, and specifics of the conversation;

     (2) Provide reasonable time, in no event greater than five business days, for you to remove your vehicle from storage before stopping payment; and

     (3) Pay any and all reasonable towing charges unless otherwise provided in your policy. You may use any towing company unless the insurer provides you with the name of a specific towing company before your vehicle is towed.

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