Like many other states, Washington is experiencing damaging wildfires. The Oregon Road Fire and the Gray Fire are heavily impacting Washington state. The fires have been burning since last Friday and are yet to be contained. They have burned more than 20,000 acres combined.

As a result of the fires, Jay Inslee, the Governor of Washington state, declared a State of Emergency. This state of emergency affords the insurance department a broader ability to protect and provide relief to insurance consumers.

The Insurance Commissioner, Mike Kreidler, issued an emergency order that requires all insurers to do the following from between August 19, 2023 and October 17, 2023:

• Provide a grace period of at least 45 days for nonpayment of premium, and must waive otherwise applicable charges related to nonpayment of premium, such as late fees
• Insurers cannot cancel a policy for nonpayment of premium, unless requested by the consumer
• Insurers issuing a nonrenewal notice must do so at least 120 days before the expiration of the policy

This order can be extended for another 30 days beyond October 17, 2023 if deemed necessary by the Insurance Commissioner. A copy of the order may be found here.