Unfair Practices: the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Regulation and the property and casualty trade-practice rules

What this document is

Chapter 284-30 WAC - Unfair Practices: the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Regulation and the property and casualty trade-practice rules is a regulation published by Washington State Legislature (app.leg.wa.gov). It is one of the Washington documents that insurance license exam questions are written from, including washington property & casualty, washington personal lines practice questions. This page summarizes it and points to the official version, which is the text to rely on.

Sections cited in practice questions

Each practice answer shows the exact passage it comes from. These are sections of this document that questions cite, with a short excerpt from the source text.

• WAC 284-30-360(1), (1)(a), (1)(b) (Standards for the insurer to acknowledge pertinent communications) (Effective until October 18, 2026)

  “Within ten working days after receiving notification of a claim under an individual insurance policy, or within fifteen working days with respect to claims arising under group insurance contracts, the insurer must acknowledge its receipt of the notice of claim. (a) If payment is made within that...”

• WAC 284-30-330(16) (Specific unfair claims settlement practices defined) (Effective until October 18, 2026)

  “Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the processing and payment of claims after the obligation to pay has been established. Except as to those instances where the time for payment is governed by statute or rule or is set forth in an applicable contract, procedures which are not...”

• WAC 284-30-391(1)-(2) (Methods and standards of practice for settlement of total loss vehicle claims) (Effective until October 18, 2026)

  “Unless an agreed value is reached, the insurer must adjust and settle vehicle total losses using the methods set forth in subsections (1) through (3) of this section. Subsections (4) through (6) of this section establish standards of practice for the settlement of total loss vehicle claims. If an...”

• WAC 284-30-360(1) (Standards for the insurer to acknowledge pertinent communications)

  “Within ten working days after receiving notification of a claim under an individual insurance policy, or within fifteen working days with respect to claims arising under group insurance contracts, the insurer must acknowledge its receipt of the notice of claim.”

• WAC 284-30-380(1) (Settlement standards applicable to all insurers)

  “Within fifteen working days after receipt by the insurer of fully completed and executed proofs of loss, the insurer must notify the first party claimant whether the claim has been accepted or denied. The insurer must not deny a claim on the grounds of a specific policy provision, condition, or...”

• WAC 284-30-390(7) (Acts or practices considered unfair in the settlement of motor vehicle claims)

  “(7) Failing to limit deductions for betterment and depreciation to parts normally subject to repair and replacement during the useful life of the loss vehicle. Deductions for betterment and depreciation are limited to the lesser of: (a) An increase in the actual cash value of the loss vehicle...”

• WAC 284-30-700(1) (Restrictions as to denial and termination of homeowners insurance affected by day-care operations)

  “(1) Beginning August 1, 1985, pursuant to RCW 48.30.010, it shall be an unfair practice for any insurer transacting homeowners insurance to deny homeowners insurance to an applicant therefor, or to terminate any homeowners insurance policy covering a dwelling located in this state, whether by...”

• WAC 284-30-550(1) (Receipts to be given)

  “(1) To effectuate RCW 48.17.470 and 48.17.480 and to eliminate unfair practices in accord with RCW 48.30.010, any insurance producer or other representative of an insurer who receives a contract payment or premium from or on behalf of an insured or applicant for homeowners', dwelling fire, private...”

• WAC 284-30-370 (Standards for prompt investigation of a claim) (Effective until October 18, 2026)

  “Every insurer must complete its investigation of a claim within thirty days after notification of claim, unless the investigation cannot reasonably be completed within that time. All persons involved in the investigation of a claim must provide reasonable assistance to the insurer in order to...”

Practice this material

Questions about this source

More Washington sources

• RCW Title 48, Chapter 48.30 - Unfair Practices and Frauds (selected sections 48.30.010-48.30.155)State statute
• RCW Title 48, Chapter 48.17 - Insurance Producers, Title Insurance Agents and Adjusters (selected sections 48.17.060-48.17.600)State statute
• Chapter 48.05 RCW - Authorization of Insurers and General Requirements (certificate of authority, admission, deposits, discipline)State statute
• Chapter 48.22 RCW - Casualty Insurance (personal injury protection, underinsured and hit-and-run motorist coverage, assigned risk plans)State statute
• Chapter 48.02 RCW - Insurance Commissioner (broad powers, rule-making, orders, hearings and enforcement)State statute
• Chapter 48.20 RCW - Disability Insurance (individual accident and health policy provisions, required and optional provisions)State statute
• Chapter 48.03 RCW - Examinations (examination of the affairs and records of insurers and licensees)State statute
• Chapter 48.01 RCW - General Provisions (scope, and the definitions of insurance, insurer, insurance transaction and the public interest)State statute