This section applies to actuarial opinions of reserves after the operative date of the valuation manual.

(1) Every company with outstanding life insurance contracts, accident and health insurance contracts, or deposit-type contracts in this state and subject to regulation by the commissioner must annually submit the opinion of the appointed actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts are computed appropriately, are based on assumptions that satisfy contractual provisions, are consistent with prior reported amounts, and comply with applicable laws of this state. The valuation manual will prescribe the specifics of this opinion including any items deemed to be necessary to its scope.

(2) Every company with outstanding life insurance contracts, accident and health insurance contracts, or deposit-type contracts in this state and subject to regulation by the commissioner, except as exempted in the valuation manual, must also annually include in the opinion required by subsection (1) of this section, an opinion of the same appointed actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items held in support of the policies and contracts specified in the valuation manual, when considered in light of the assets held by the company with respect to the reserves and related actuarial items, including but not limited to the investment earnings on the assets and the considerations anticipated to be received and retained under the policies and contracts, make adequate provision for the company's obligations under the policies and contracts, including but not limited to the benefits under and expenses associated with the policies and contracts.

(3) Each opinion required by this section is governed by the following:

(a) A memorandum, in form and substance as specified in the valuation manual, and acceptable to the commissioner, must be prepared to support each actuarial opinion.

(b) If the insurance company fails to provide a supporting memorandum at the request of the commissioner within a period specified in the valuation manual or the commissioner determines that the supporting memorandum provided by the insurance company fails to meet the standards prescribed by the valuation manual or is otherwise unacceptable to the commissioner, the commissioner may engage a qualified actuary at the expense of the company to review the opinion and the basis for the opinion and prepare the supporting memorandum required by the commissioner.

(4) Every opinion under this section is governed by the following:

(a) The opinion must be in form and substance as specified in the valuation manual and acceptable to the commissioner.

(b) The opinion must be submitted with the annual statement reflecting the valuation of the reserve liabilities for each year ending on or after the operative date of the valuation manual.

(c) The opinion must apply to all policies and contracts subject to this section, plus other actuarial liabilities as may be specified in the valuation manual.

(d) The opinion must be based on standards adopted from time to time by the actuarial standards board or its successor, and on the additional standards as may be prescribed in the valuation manual.

(e) In the case of an opinion required to be submitted by a foreign or alien company, the commissioner may accept the opinion filed by that company with the insurance supervisory official of another state if the commissioner determines that the opinion reasonably meets the requirements applicable to a company domiciled in this state.

(f) Except in cases of fraud or willful misconduct, the appointed actuary is not liable for damages to any person, other than the insurance company and the commissioner, for any act, error, omission, decision, or conduct with respect to the appointed actuary's opinion.

(g) Disciplinary action by the commissioner against the company or the appointed actuary must be defined in rule by the commissioner.

Effective date—2016 c 142: See note following RCW 48.74.010.