Section 284-30-355. Certificates of insurance.

(1) The following definitions apply to this section.

(a) "Certificate" or "certificate of insurance" means any document, without regard to title or description, that is issued by an insurer, insurance producer, or surplus line broker as evidence of property or casualty insurance coverage. Certificate or certificate of insurance as used in this section does not include an insurance policy, insurance binder, an automobile insurance identification or information card, or a certificate issued to a person or entity that has purchased coverage under a group master policy.

(b) "Certificate holder" means any person, other than a policyholder, that requests, obtains, or possesses a certificate.

(c) "Property" means the insurance coverages described in RCW 48.11.040.

(d) "Casualty" means the insurance coverages described in RCW 48.11.070.

(e) "Insurance binder" means a temporary document that serves as evidence of insurance until the insurance policy is issued.

(f) "Insurance policy" means the executed insurance policy issued to the named insured as part of an insurance transaction as defined in RCW 48.01.060.

(2) This section applies to all:

(a) Certificate holders, policyholders, insurers, insurance producers, surplus line brokers; and

(b) Certificates issued as evidence of insurance coverage for risks located in this state without regard to where a certificate holder, policyholder, insurer, insurance producer, or surplus line broker is located.

(3)(a) If a certificate holder is named within the policy or endorsement and the policy or endorsement requires notice to be provided to the certificate holder, a certificate holder only possesses a right to notice of:

(i) Cancellation;

(ii) Nonrenewal; or

(iii) A material change, or any similar notice concerning the insurance policy.

(b) The insurance policy governs the terms and conditions of the notice, including the timing of the notice.

(4) No person may knowingly demand or require an insurer, insurance producer, surplus line broker, or policyholder to issue a certificate that contains any false or misleading information or that purports to alter, amend, or extend the coverage provided by the insurance policy.

(5) No person may knowingly issue or circulate a certificate that contains any false or misleading information or that purports to alter, amend, or extend the coverage provided by the insurance policy.

(6) No person may issue, demand, or require, either in addition to or in lieu of a certificate, a document that contains any false or misleading information or that purports to alter, amend, or extend the coverage provided by the insurance policy.

(7)(a) Nothing in this section affects or excuses a person's obligation to obtain an insurance policy for the benefit of a third party that conforms to specific contractual or legal requirements.

(b) Notwithstanding any requirement, term, or condition of any contract, the insurance coverage provided by the referenced policy of insurance is subject to all the terms, exclusions, and conditions of the policy. A certificate of insurance does not confer new or additional rights beyond what the referenced policy of insurance provides.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 48.02.060. WSR 12-09-052 (Matter No. R 2011-30), § 284-30-355, filed 4/16/12, effective 5/17/12.]

RCW 48.02.060. WSR 12-09-052 (Matter No. R 2011-30), § 284-30-355, filed 4/16/12, effective 5/17/12.