Providing relief to Washington consumers from 2026 wildfires by addressing grace periods for nonpayment of premium and temporarily prohibiting cancellation and nonrenewal of property and automobile policies

PATTY KUDERER STATE OF WASHINGTON Phone: 360-725-7000 STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER www.insurance.wa.gov

OFFICE OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Emergency Order No. 26-01

To: All insurers authorized or admitted to transact property and/or automobile insurance business in Washington State

From: Patty Kuderer, Insurance Commissioner

Subject: Providing relief to Washington consumers from 2026 wildfires by addressing grace periods for nonpayment of premium and temporarily prohibiting cancellation and nonrenewal of property and automobile policies

Pursuant to RCW 48.02.060(4), the Insurance Commissioner of the state of Washington (“Insurance Commissioner”) orders all property insurers, as follows:

A. Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, all regulated entities transacting any property or automobile insurance business shall provide grace periods of no less than 45 days for nonpayment of premium and shall waive otherwise applicable charges and fees associated with nonpayment of premium, such as late fees and reinstatement fees. B. Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, no property or automobile insurer shall cancel a policy issued for nonpayment of premium, unless specifically directed to do so by the insured. C. Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, the 60-day notice period for nonrenewal notices in RCW 48.18.2901(1)(a)(i) is suspended during the state of emergency. No property insurer shall issue a notice of nonrenewal less than 120 days before the expiration date of the policy. D. Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, the 60-day notice period for cancellation notices in RCW 48.18.290(1)(a) is suspended during the state of emergency. No property insurer shall issue a notice of cancellation less than 120 days before the expiration date of the policy. E. Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, the 20-day notice period for nonrenewal notices in RCW 48.18.292(1)(a) is suspended during the state of emergency. No automobile insurer shall issue a notice of nonrenewal less than 60 days before the expiration date of the policy.

Mailing Address: PO Box 40255 Olympia, WA 98504-0255 Street Address: 5000 Capitol Blvd Tumwater, WA 98501 OFFICE OF THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Emergency Order No. 26-01 Re: 2026 Wildfires Page 2 F. Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, the 20-day notice period for cancellation notices in RCW 48.18.291(1) is suspended during the state of emergency. No automobile insurer shall issue a notice of cancellation less than 60 days before the expiration date of the policy. Basis 1. On August 1, 2026, the Governor issued Proclamation 26-03 declaring an emergency related to the multiple ongoing wildfires in Western, Central, and Eastern Washington as well as the dry weather conditions that have persisted in the state since 2023. The proclamation provides in pertinent part as follows (emphasis added): I, Bob Ferguson, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the above- noted situation and under Chapters 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists throughout the state of Washington, and direct the plans and procedures in the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources in accordance with the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions to respond to and recover from the dangerous wildfire conditions.

2. Wildfires have already caused significant damage to lands, infrastructure, and homes, and the threat to life and property from wildfire remains significant and may cause more extensive damage to homes, businesses, public facilities, natural resources, agricultural lands, infrastructure, and utilities, which is a public disaster that affects life, health, property, and/or the public peace. 3. RCW 48.02.060(4)(b) & (c) provides in pertinent part that, when the Governor proclaims a state of emergency under RCW 43.06.010(12), the Insurance Commissioner may issue an order that addresses any or all of the following matters related to insurance policies issued in this state: (b) grace periods for payment of insurance premiums and performance of other duties by insureds; and (c) temporary postponement of cancellations or nonrenewals. 4. RCW 48.02.060(5) provides that an order by the Insurance Commissioner under subsection (4) of this section may remain effective for not more than sixty (60) days unless the Insurance Commissioner extends the termination date for the order for an additional period of not more than thirty (30) days. The Insurance Commissioner may extend the order if, in the Insurance Commissioner’s judgment, the circumstances warrant an extension. An order of the Insurance Commissioner under subsection (4) of this section is not effective after the related state of emergency is terminated by proclamation of the Governor under RCW 43.06.210. The order must specify, by line of insurance: (a) the geographic areas in which the order applies, which must be within but may be less extensive than the geographic area specified in the Governor’s OFFICE OF THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Emergency Order No. 26-01 Re: 2026 Wildfires Page 3 proclamation of a state of emergency and must be specific according to an appropriate means of delineation, such as the United States postal service zip codes or other appropriate means; and

(b) the date on which the order becomes effective and the date on which the order terminates.

5. Emergency action by the Insurance Commissioner is necessary to protect the property, safety and welfare of Washington citizens affected by the 2026 Wildfires in the state of Washington. Order Now, therefore, the Insurance Commissioner hereby activates the provisions of RCW 48.02.060(4)(b) & (c) in order to protect the property, safety and welfare of Washington citizens affected by the 2026 wildfires in the state of Washington, as set forth above.

This Emergency Order shall remain in effect until September 30, 2026, subject to the further order of the Insurance Commissioner extending its effect.

The geographical extent of this Emergency Order is all zip codes, and adjacent zip codes of the state of Washington where (1) wildfires have burned homes and other structures and/or (2) official evacuation orders are issued.

This Emergency Order is effective immediately and is entered at Olympia, Washington, this 3rd day of August, 2026.

Patty Kuderer Insurance Commissioner