H-1627.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2157
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Mielke, Zellinsky and Van Luven.
Read first time March 4, 1991. Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.
AN ACT Relating to the cancellation of or refusal to renew property insurance policies because of submitting claims as a result of criminal acts; adding a new section to chapter 48.18 RCW; and adding new sections to chapter 48.27 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 48.18 RCW to read as follows:
(1) An insurer may not cancel or refuse to renew a property insurance policy, as property insurance is defined in RCW 48.11.040, for the sole reason that the insured has submitted claims on the policy because of criminal acts.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section applies to all insurers subject to this chapter and includes policies containing terms allowing cancellation or denial of renewal at the discretion of the insurer.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 48.27 RCW to read as follows:
(1) An insurer may not cancel or refuse to renew a property insurance policy, as property insurance is defined in RCW 48.11.040, for the sole reason that the insured has submitted claims on the policy because of criminal acts.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section applies to all insurers subject to this chapter and includes policies containing terms allowing cancellation or denial of renewal at the discretion of the insurer.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 48.27 RCW to read as follows:
The failure to comply with section 2 of this act is a matter affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW. The failure to comply with section 2 of this act is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business. A violation of section 2 of this act constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in trade or commerce for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW.