Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Automobile" means a passenger car as defined in RCW 46.04.382 registered or principally garaged in this state other than:

(a) A farm-type tractor or other self-propelled equipment designed for use principally off public roads;

(b) A vehicle operated on rails or crawler-treads;

(c) A vehicle located for use as a residence;

(d) A motor home as defined in RCW 46.04.305; or

(e) A moped as defined in RCW 46.04.304.

(2) "Bodily injury" means bodily injury, sickness, or disease, including death at any time resulting from the injury, sickness, or disease.

(3) "Income continuation benefits" means payments for the insured's loss of income from work, because of bodily injury sustained by the insured in an automobile accident, less income earned during the benefit payment period. The combined weekly payment an insured may receive under personal injury protection coverage, worker's compensation, disability insurance, or other income continuation benefits may not exceed eighty-five percent of the insured's weekly income from work. The benefit payment period begins fourteen days after the date of the automobile accident and ends at the earliest of the following:

(a) The date on which the insured is reasonably able to perform the duties of his or her usual occupation;

(b) Fifty-four weeks from the date of the automobile accident; or

(c) The date of the insured's death.

(4) "Insured automobile" means an automobile described on the declarations page of the policy.

(5) "Insured" means:

(a) The named insured or a person who is a resident of the named insured's household and is either related to the named insured by blood, marriage, or adoption, or is the named insured's ward, foster child, or stepchild; or

(b) A person who sustains bodily injury caused by accident while: (i) Occupying or using the insured automobile with the permission of the named insured; or (ii) a pedestrian accidentally struck by the insured automobile.

(6) "Loss of services benefits" means reimbursement for payment to others, not members of the insured's household, for expenses reasonably incurred for services in lieu of those the insured would usually have performed for his or her household without compensation, provided the services are actually rendered. The maximum benefit is forty dollars per day. Reimbursement for loss of services ends the earliest of the following:

(a) The date on which the insured person is reasonably able to perform those services;

(b) Fifty-two weeks from the date of the automobile accident; or

(c) The date of the insured's death.

(7) "Medical and hospital benefits" means payments for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by or on behalf of the insured for injuries sustained as a result of an automobile accident for health care services provided by persons licensed under Title 18 RCW, including pharmaceuticals, prosthetic devices and eyeglasses, and necessary ambulance, hospital, and professional nursing service. Medical and hospital benefits are payable for expenses incurred within three years from the date of the automobile accident.

(8) "Automobile liability insurance policy" means a policy insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death, or property damage suffered by any person and arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of an insured automobile. An automobile liability policy does not include:

(a) Vendors single interest or collateral protection coverage;

(b) General liability insurance; or

(c) Excess liability insurance, commonly known as an umbrella policy, where coverage applies only as excess to an underlying automobile policy.

(9) "Named insured" means the individual named in the declarations of the policy and includes his or her spouse if a resident of the same household.

(10) "Occupying" means in or upon or entering into or alighting from.

(11) "Pedestrian" means a natural person not occupying a motor vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.320.

(12) "Personal injury protection" means the benefits described in this section and RCW 48.22.085 through 48.22.100. Payments made under personal injury protection coverage are limited to the actual amount of loss or expense incurred.

Severability—1993 c 242: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1993 c 242 s 7.]

Effective date—1993 c 242: "Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1994." [ 1993 c 242 s 8.]

The commissioner shall after consultation with the insurers licensed to write motor vehicle liability insurance in this state, approve a reasonable plan or plans for the equitable apportionment among such insurers of applicants for such insurance who are in good faith entitled to but are unable to procure insurance through ordinary methods and, when such plan has been approved, all such insurers shall subscribe thereto and shall participate therein. Any applicant for such insurance, any person insured under such plan and any insurer affected may appeal to the commissioner from any ruling or decision of the manager or committee designated to operate such plan.

Rate modifications for assigned risks: RCW 48.19.400.

(1) "Underinsured motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle with respect to the ownership, maintenance, or use of which either no bodily injury or property damage liability bond or insurance policy applies at the time of an accident, or with respect to which the sum of the limits of liability under all bodily injury or property damage liability bonds and insurance policies applicable to a covered person after an accident is less than the applicable damages which the covered person is legally entitled to recover.

(2) No new policy or renewal of an existing policy insuring against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death, or property damage, suffered by any person arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle shall be issued with respect to any motor vehicle registered or principally garaged in this state unless coverage is provided therein or supplemental thereto for the protection of persons insured thereunder who are legally entitled to recover damages from owners or operators of underinsured motor vehicles, hit-and-run motor vehicles, and phantom vehicles because of bodily injury, death, or property damage, resulting therefrom, except while operating or occupying a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, and except while operating or occupying a motor vehicle owned or available for the regular use by the named insured or any family member, and which is not insured under the liability coverage of the policy. The coverage required to be offered under this chapter is not applicable to general liability policies, commonly known as umbrella policies, or other policies which apply only as excess to the insurance directly applicable to the vehicle insured.

(3) Except as to property damage, coverage required under subsection (2) of this section shall be in the same amount as the insured's third party liability coverage unless the insured rejects all or part of the coverage as provided in subsection (4) of this section. Coverage for property damage need only be issued in conjunction with coverage for bodily injury or death. Property damage coverage required under subsection (2) of this section shall mean physical damage to the insured motor vehicle unless the policy specifically provides coverage for the contents thereof or other forms of property damage.

(4) A named insured or spouse may reject, in writing, underinsured coverage for bodily injury or death, or property damage, and the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply. If a named insured or spouse has rejected underinsured coverage, such coverage shall not be included in any supplemental or renewal policy unless a named insured or spouse subsequently requests such coverage in writing. The requirement of a written rejection under this subsection shall apply only to the original issuance of policies issued after July 24, 1983, and not to any renewal or replacement policy. When a named insured or spouse chooses a property damage coverage that is less than the insured's third party liability coverage for property damage, a written rejection is not required.

(5) The limit of liability under the policy coverage may be defined as the maximum limits of liability for all damages resulting from any one accident regardless of the number of covered persons, claims made, or vehicles or premiums shown on the policy, or premiums paid, or vehicles involved in an accident.

(6) The policy may provide that if an injured person has other similar insurance available to him or her under other policies, the total limits of liability of all coverages shall not exceed the higher of the applicable limits of the respective coverages.

(7)(a) The policy may provide for a deductible of not more than three hundred dollars for payment for property damage when the damage is caused by a hit-and-run driver or a phantom vehicle.

(b) In all other cases of underinsured property damage coverage, the policy may provide for a deductible of not more than one hundred dollars.

(8) For the purposes of this chapter, a "phantom vehicle" shall mean a motor vehicle which causes bodily injury, death, or property damage to an insured and has no physical contact with the insured or the vehicle which the insured is occupying at the time of the accident if:

(a) The facts of the accident can be corroborated by competent evidence other than the testimony of the insured or any person having an underinsured motorist claim resulting from the accident; and

(b) The accident has been reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency within seventy-two hours of the accident.

(9) An insurer who elects to write motorcycle or motor-driven cycle insurance in this state must provide information to prospective insureds about the coverage.

(10) An insurer who elects to write motorcycle or motor-driven cycle insurance in this state must provide an opportunity for named insureds, who have purchased liability coverage for a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, to reject underinsured coverage for that motorcycle or motor-driven cycle in writing.

(11) If the covered person seeking underinsured motorist coverage under this section was the intended victim of the tort feasor, the incident must be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and the covered person must cooperate with any related law enforcement investigation.

(12) The purpose of this section is to protect innocent victims of motorists of underinsured motor vehicles. Covered persons are entitled to coverage without regard to whether an incident was intentionally caused. However, a person is not entitled to coverage if the insurer can demonstrate that the covered person intended to cause the event for which a claim is made under the coverage described in this section. As used in this section, and in the section of policies providing the underinsured motorist coverage described in this section, "accident" means an occurrence that is unexpected and unintended from the standpoint of the covered person.

(13) The coverage under this section may be excluded as provided for under *RCW 48.177.010(6).

(14) "Underinsured coverage," for the purposes of this section, means coverage for "underinsured motor vehicles," as defined in subsection (1) of this section.

*Reviser's note: RCW 48.177.010 was recodified as RCW 46.72B.180 pursuant to 2022 c 281 s 35.

Severability—1983 c 182: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1983 c 182 s 3.]

Effective date—1981 c 150: "This act shall take effect on September 1, 1981." [ 1981 c 150 s 3.]

Effective date—1980 c 117: "This act shall take effect on September 1, 1980." [ 1980 c 117 s 8.]

(1) The term "underinsured motor vehicles" with reference to coverage offered under any insurance policy regulated under this chapter shall, subject to the terms and conditions of such coverage, be deemed to include an insured motor vehicle where the liability insurer thereof is unable to make payment with respect to the legal liability of its insured within the limits specified therein because of insolvency.

(2) An insurer's insolvency protection shall be applicable only to accidents occurring during a policy period in which its insured's underinsured motorist coverage is in effect where the liability insurer of the tort-feasor becomes insolvent within three years after such an accident. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent any insurer from affording insolvency protection under terms and conditions more favorable to its insureds than is provided hereunder.

(3) In the event of payment to an insured under the coverage required by this chapter and subject to the terms and conditions of such coverage, the insurer making such payment shall, to the extent thereof, be entitled to the proceeds of any settlement or judgment resulting from the exercise of any rights of recovery of such insured against any person or organization legally responsible for the bodily injury, death, or property damage for which such payment is made, including the proceeds recoverable from the assets of the insolvent insurer. Whenever an insurer shall make payment under the coverage required by this section and which payment is occasioned by an insolvency, such insurer's right of recovery or reimbursement shall not include any rights against the insured of said insolvent insurer for any amounts which would have been paid by the insolvent insurer. Such paying insurer shall have the right to proceed directly against the insolvent insurer or its receiver, and in pursuance of such right such paying insurer shall possess any rights which the insured of the insolvent company might otherwise have had, if the insured of the insolvent insurer had personally made the payment.

Severability—1983 c 182: See note following RCW 48.22.030.

Effective date—1980 c 117: See note following RCW 48.22.030.

The commissioner shall by regulation require insurers authorized to write casualty insurance in this state to form a market assistance plan to assist persons and other entities unable to purchase casualty insurance in an adequate amount from either the admitted market or nonadmitted market.

For the purpose of this section, a market assistance plan means a voluntary mechanism by insurers writing casualty insurance in this state in either the admitted or nonadmitted market to provide casualty insurance for a class of insurance designated in writing to the plan by the commissioner.

The bylaws and method of operation of any market assistance plan shall be approved by the commissioner prior to its operation.

A market assistance plan shall have a minimum of twenty-five insurers willing to insure risks within the class designated by the commissioner. If twenty-five insurers do not voluntarily agree to participate, the commissioner may require casualty insurers to participate in a market assistance plan as a condition of continuing to do business in this state. The commissioner shall make such a requirement to fulfill the quota of at least twenty-five insurers. The commissioner shall make his or her designation on the basis of the insurer's premium volume of casualty insurance in this state.

Preamble—Report to legislature—Applicability—Severability—1986 c 305: See notes following RCW 4.16.160.

Every insurer that writes collision and comprehensive coverage for loss or damage to "private passenger automobiles" or "motor homes," as those terms are defined in RCW 48.18.297 and 46.04.305, respectively, shall provide, upon the insured's request, coverage that will pay, in the event of total loss, an amount, in excess of the actual cash value of the vehicle, sufficient to satisfy any outstanding indebtedness secured by and incurred in conjunction with the financing of the purchase of a new private passenger automobile or motor home.

Nothing in this section prohibits an insurer from denying or excluding such coverage where the insured or someone acting on the insured's behalf acts in a fraudulent manner to obtain or file a claim under such coverage.

Effective date—1987 c 240: "The effective date of this act is January 1, 1988." [ 1987 c 240 s 2.]

(1) The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing a reasonable plan to insure that workers' compensation coverage as required by the United States longshore and harbor workers' compensation act, 33 U.S.C. Secs. 901 through 950, and maritime employer's liability coverage incidental to the workers' compensation coverage is available to those unable to purchase it through the normal insurance market. This plan shall require the participation of all authorized insurers writing primary or excess United States longshore and harbor workers' compensation insurance in the state of Washington and the Washington state industrial insurance fund as defined in RCW 51.08.175 which is authorized to participate in the plan and to make payments in support of the plan in accordance with this section. Any underwriting losses or surpluses incurred by the plan shall be determined by the governing committee of the plan and shall be shared by plan participants in accordance with the following ratios: The state industrial insurance fund, fifty percent; and authorized insurers writing primary or excess United States longshore and harbor workers' compensation insurance, fifty percent.

(2) The Washington state industrial insurance fund may obtain or provide reinsurance coverage for the plan created under subsection (1) of this section the terms of which shall be negotiated between the state fund and the plan. This coverage shall not be obtained or provided if the commissioner determines that the premium to be charged would result in unaffordable rates for coverage provided by the plan. In considering whether excess of loss coverage premiums would result in unaffordable rates for workers' compensation coverage provided by the plan, the commissioner shall compare the resulting plan rates to those provided under any similar pool or plan of other states.

(3) An applicant for plan insurance, a person insured under the plan, or an insurer, affected by a ruling or decision of the manager or committee designated to operate the plan may appeal to the commissioner for resolution of a dispute. In adopting rules under this section, the commissioner shall require that the plan use generally accepted actuarial principles for rate making.

Effective date—1997 c 110: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 21, 1997]." [ 1997 c 110 s 3.]

Effective date—1993 c 177: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [April 30, 1993]." [ 1993 c 177 s 4.]

Finding—Declaration—1992 c 209: "The legislature finds and declares that the continued existence of a strong and healthy maritime industry in this state is threatened by the unavailability and excessive cost of workers' compensation coverage required by the United States longshoreman's and harbor worker's compensation act. The legislature, therefore, acting under its authority to protect industry and employment in this state hereby establishes a commission to devise and implement both a near and long-term solution to this problem, for the purpose of maintaining employment for Washington workers and a vigorous maritime industry." [ 1992 c 209 s 1.]

Effective July 1, 1994, a casualty insurer's issuance of a new medical malpractice policy or renewal of an existing medical malpractice policy to a physician or other independent health care practitioner shall be conditioned upon that practitioner's participation in, and completion of, an insurer-designed health care liability risk management training program once every three years. Completion of said training program during 1994 shall satisfy the first three-year training requirement. The risk management training shall provide information related to avoiding adverse health outcomes resulting from substandard practice and minimizing damages associated with the adverse health outcomes that do occur. For purposes of this section, "independent health care practitioners" means those health care practitioner licensing classifications designated by the department of health in rule pursuant to *RCW 18.130.330.

*Reviser's note: RCW 18.130.330 was repealed by 1995 c 265 s 27, effective July 1, 1995.

Findings—Intent—1993 c 492: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.

Short title—Savings—Reservation of legislative power—Effective dates—1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.

(1) No new automobile liability insurance policy or renewal of such an existing policy may be issued unless personal injury protection coverage is offered as an optional coverage.

(2) A named insured may reject, in writing, personal injury protection coverage and the requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply. If a named insured rejects personal injury protection coverage:

(a) That rejection is valid and binding as to all levels of coverage and on all persons who might have otherwise been insured under such coverage; and

(b) The insurer is not required to include personal injury protection coverage in any supplemental, renewal, or replacement policy unless a named insured subsequently requests such coverage in writing.

(3) The coverage under this section may be excluded as provided for under *RCW 48.177.010(6).

*Reviser's note: RCW 48.177.010 was recodified as RCW 46.72B.180 pursuant to 2022 c 281 s 35.

Severability—Effective date—1993 c 242: See notes following RCW 48.22.005.

An insurer is not required to provide personal injury protection coverage to or on behalf of:

(1) A person who intentionally causes injury to himself or herself;

(2) A person who is injured while participating in a prearranged or organized racing or speed contest or in practice or preparation for such a contest;

(3) A person whose bodily injury is due to war, whether or not declared, or to an act or condition incident to such circumstances;

(4) A person whose bodily injury results from the radioactive, toxic, explosive, or other hazardous properties of nuclear material;

(5) The named insured or a relative while occupying a motor vehicle owned by the named insured or furnished for the named insured's regular use, if such motor vehicle is not described on the declaration page of the policy under which a claim is made;

(6) A relative while occupying a motor vehicle owned by the relative or furnished for the relative's regular use, if such motor vehicle is not described on the declaration page of the policy under which a claim is made; or

(7) An insured whose bodily injury results or arises from the insured's use of an automobile in the commission of a felony.

Severability—Effective date—1993 c 242: See notes following RCW 48.22.005.

(1) Insurers providing automobile insurance policies must offer minimum personal injury protection coverage for each insured with benefit limits as follows:

(a) Medical and hospital benefits of ten thousand dollars;

(b) A funeral expense benefit of two thousand dollars;

(c) Income continuation benefits of ten thousand dollars, subject to a limit of two hundred dollars per week; and

(d) Loss of services benefits of five thousand dollars, subject to a limit of two hundred dollars per week.

(2) The coverage under this section may be excluded as provided for under *RCW 48.177.010(6).

*Reviser's note: RCW 48.177.010 was recodified as RCW 46.72B.180 pursuant to 2022 c 281 s 35.

Severability—Effective date—1993 c 242: See notes following RCW 48.22.005.

If requested by a named insured, an insurer providing automobile liability insurance policies must offer personal injury protection coverage for each insured with benefit limits as follows:

(1) Medical and hospital benefits of thirty-five thousand dollars;

(2) A funeral expense benefit of two thousand dollars;

(3) Income continuation benefits of thirty-five thousand dollars, subject to a limit of seven hundred dollars per week; and

(4) Loss of services benefits of fourteen thousand six hundred dollars.

Severability—Effective date—1993 c 242: See notes following RCW 48.22.005.

The commissioner may adopt such rules as are necessary to implement RCW 48.22.005 and 48.22.085 through 48.22.100.

Severability—1993 c 242: See note following RCW 48.22.005.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this section and RCW 48.22.115 through 48.22.135.

(1) "Borrower" means a person who receives a loan or enters into a retail installment contract under chapter 63.14 RCW to purchase a motor vehicle or vessel in which the secured party holds an interest.

(2) "Motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle in this state subject to registration under *chapter 46.16 RCW, except motor vehicles governed by RCW 46.16A.170 or registered with the Washington utilities and transportation commission as common or contract carriers.

(3) "Secured party" means a person, corporation, association, partnership, or venture that possesses a bona fide security interest in a motor vehicle or vessel.

(4) "Vendor single-interest" or "collateral protection coverage" means insurance coverage insuring primarily or solely the interest of a secured party but which may include the interest of the borrower in a motor vehicle or vessel serving as collateral and obtained by the secured party or its agent after the borrower has failed to obtain or maintain insurance coverage required by the financing agreement for the motor vehicle or vessel. Vendor single-interest or collateral protection coverage does not include insurance coverage purchased by a secured party for which the borrower is not charged.

(5) "Vessel" means a vessel as defined in RCW 88.02.310 and includes personal watercraft as defined in RCW 79A.60.010.

*Reviser's note: Although directed to be recodified within chapter 46.16 RCW pursuant to chapter 161, Laws of 2010, a majority of chapter 46.16 RCW was recodified under chapter 46.16A RCW pursuant to RCW 1.08.015 (2)(k) and (3).

Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.

Effective date—1994 c 186 ss 1-5: "Sections 1 through 5 of this act take effect January 1, 1995." [ 1994 c 186 s 8.]

In a contract or loan agreement, or on a separate document accompanying the contract or loan agreement and signed by the borrower, that provides financing for a motor vehicle or vessel and authorizes a secured party to purchase vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage, the following or substantially similar warning must be set forth in ten-point print:

WARNING

UNLESS YOU PROVIDE US WITH EVIDENCE OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE AS REQUIRED BY OUR LOAN AGREEMENT, WE MAY PURCHASE INSURANCE AT YOUR EXPENSE TO PROTECT OUR INTEREST. THIS INSURANCE MAY, BUT NEED NOT, ALSO PROTECT YOUR INTEREST. IF THE COLLATERAL BECOMES DAMAGED, THE COVERAGE WE PURCHASE MAY NOT PAY ANY CLAIM YOU MAKE OR ANY CLAIM MADE AGAINST YOU. YOU MAY LATER CANCEL THIS COVERAGE BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE OBTAINED PROPER COVERAGE ELSEWHERE.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ANY INSURANCE PURCHASED BY US. THE COST OF THIS INSURANCE MAY BE ADDED TO YOUR LOAN BALANCE. IF THE COST IS ADDED TO THE LOAN BALANCE, THE INTEREST RATE ON THE UNDERLYING LOAN WILL APPLY TO THIS ADDED AMOUNT. THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF COVERAGE MAY BE THE DATE YOUR PRIOR COVERAGE LAPSED OR THE DATE YOU FAILED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF COVERAGE.

THE COVERAGE WE PURCHASE MAY BE CONSIDERABLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN INSURANCE YOU CAN OBTAIN ON YOUR OWN AND MAY NOT SATISFY WASHINGTON'S MANDATORY LIABILITY INSURANCE LAWS.

Effective date—1994 c 186 ss 1-5: See note following RCW 48.22.110.

(1) A secured party shall not impose charges, that may include but are not limited to interest, finance, and premium charges, on a borrower for vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage for the motor vehicle or vessel as provided in subsection (2) of this section until the following or a substantially similar warning printed in ten-point type is sent to the borrower:

FINAL NOTICE AND WARNING

UNLESS YOU PROVIDE US WITH EVIDENCE OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE AS REQUIRED BY OUR LOAN AGREEMENT WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER THE POSTMARK ON THIS LETTER, WE WILL PURCHASE INSURANCE AT YOUR EXPENSE TO PROTECT OUR INTEREST. THIS INSURANCE MAY, BUT NEED NOT, ALSO PROTECT YOUR INTEREST. IF THE COLLATERAL BECOMES DAMAGED, THE COVERAGE WE PURCHASE MAY NOT PAY ANY CLAIM YOU MAKE OR ANY CLAIM MADE AGAINST YOU. YOU MAY LATER CANCEL THIS COVERAGE BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE OBTAINED PROPER COVERAGE ELSEWHERE OR HAVE PAID OFF THE LOAN ON THE COLLATERAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE INSURANCE PURCHASED BY US. THE COST OF THIS INSURANCE MAY BE ADDED TO YOUR LOAN BALANCE. IF THE COST IS ADDED TO THE LOAN BALANCE, THE INTEREST RATE ON THE UNDERLYING LOAN WILL APPLY TO THIS ADDED AMOUNT. THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF COVERAGE MAY BE THE DATE YOUR COVERAGE LAPSED OR THE DATE YOU FAILED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF COVERAGE.

THE COVERAGE WE PURCHASE WILL COST YOU A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $ . . . . (PLUS INTEREST) AND MAY BE CONSIDERABLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN INSURANCE YOU CAN OBTAIN ON YOUR OWN.

The final notice and warning shall identify whether the coverage to be purchased is vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage and disclose the extent of the borrower's coverage, if any, including a statement of whether the coverage satisfies Washington's mandatory liability insurance laws.

(2) If reasonable efforts to provide the borrower with the notice required under subsection (1) of this section fail to produce evidence of the required insurance, the secured party may proceed to impose charges for vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage no sooner than eight days after giving notice as required under this chapter. Reasonable efforts to provide notice under this section means:

(a) Within thirty days before the secured party is required to send the final notice and warning in compliance with subsection (1) of this section, the secured party shall mail a notice by first-class mail to the borrower's last known address as contained in the secured party's records. The notice shall state that the secured party intends to charge the borrower for vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage on the collateral if the borrower fails to provide evidence of proper insurance to the lender; and

(b) The secured party shall send the final notice and warning notice in compliance with subsection (1) of this section by certified mail to the borrower's last known address as contained in the secured party's records at least eight days before the insurance is charged to the borrower by the insurer.

(3) The secured party is responsible for complying with subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section. However, a secured party may seek the services of other entities to fulfill the requirements of subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section.

(4) Nothing contained in this chapter, or a secured party's compliance with or failure to comply with this chapter, shall be construed to require the secured party to purchase vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage, and the secured party shall not be liable to the borrower or any third party as a result of its failure to purchase vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage.

(5) Substantial compliance by a secured party with RCW 48.22.110 through 48.22.130 constitutes a complete defense to any claim arising under the laws of this state challenging the secured party's placement of vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage.

(6) The effective date of vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage placed under this chapter shall be either the date that the borrower's prior coverage lapsed or the date that the borrower failed to provide proof of coverage on the vehicle or vessel as required under the contract or loan agreement. Premiums for vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage placed under this chapter shall be calculated on a basis that does not exceed the outstanding credit balance as of the effective date of the coverage even though the coverage may limit liability to the outstanding balance, actual cash value, or cost of repair.

(7) If the secured party has purchased the contract or loan agreement relating to the motor vehicle or vessel from the seller of the motor vehicle or vessel under an agreement that the seller must repurchase the contract or loan agreement in the event of a default by the borrower, the secured party shall send a copy of the notice provided under subsection (2)(a) of this section by first-class mail to the seller at the seller's last known address on file with the secured party when such notice is sent to the borrower under subsection (2)(a) of this section.

Effective date—1994 c 186 ss 1-5: See note following RCW 48.22.110.

(1) The secured party shall cancel vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage charged to the borrower effective the date of receipt of proper evidence from the borrower that the borrower has obtained insurance to protect the secured party's interest. Proper evidence includes an insurance binder that is no older than ninety days from the date of issuance and that contains physical damage coverage as provided in the borrower's loan agreement with respect to the motor vehicle or vessel.

(2) If the underlying loan or extension of credit for the underlying loan is satisfied, the secured party may not require the borrower to maintain vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage that has been purchased.

(3) The interest rate for financing the cost of vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage may not exceed the interest rate applied to the underlying loan obligation.

Effective date—1994 c 186 ss 1-5: See note following RCW 48.22.110.

If vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage is canceled or discontinued under RCW 48.22.125 (1) or (2), the amount of unearned premium must be refunded to the borrower. At the option of the secured party, this refund may take the form of a credit against the borrower's obligation to the secured party. If the refund is taken as a credit against the borrower's obligation to the secured party, the secured party shall provide the borrower with an itemized statement that indicates the amount of the credit and where the credit has been applied.

Effective date—1994 c 186 ss 1-5: See note following RCW 48.22.110.

The failure of a secured party prior to January 1, 1995, to provide notice as contemplated in this chapter, or otherwise to administer a vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage program in a manner similar to that required under this chapter, shall not be admissible in any court or arbitration proceeding or otherwise used to prove that a secured party's actions with respect to vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage or similar coverage were unlawful or otherwise improper. A secured party shall not be liable to the borrower or any other party for placing vendor single interest or collateral protection coverage in accordance with the terms of an otherwise legal loan or other written agreement with the borrower entered prior to January 1, 1995. The provisions of this section shall be applicable with respect to actions pending or commenced on or after June 9, 1994.

In the event that the department of licensing suspends a driver's license solely for the nonpayment of child support as provided in chapter 74.20A RCW or for noncompliance with a *residential or visitation order as provided in chapter 26.09 RCW, any provision in the driver's motor vehicle liability insurance policy excluding insurance coverage for an unlicensed driver shall not apply to the driver for ninety days from the date of suspension. When a driver's license is suspended under chapter 74.20A RCW, the driving record for the suspended driver shall include a notation that explains the reason for the suspension.

*Reviser's note: 1997 c 58 s 886 requiring a court to order certification of noncompliance with residential provisions of a court-ordered parenting plan was vetoed. Provisions ordering the department of social and health services to certify a responsible parent based on a court order to certify for noncompliance with residential provisions of a parenting plan were vetoed. See RCW 74.20A.320.

Short title—Part headings, captions, table of contents not law—Exemptions and waivers from federal law—Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1997 c 58: See RCW 74.08A.900 through 74.08A.904.

Effective dates—Intent—1997 c 58: See notes following RCW 74.20A.320.

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.