Emergency Order No. 26-01 — Temporary insurance relief for Washington wildfire-affected consumers
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Emergency Order No. 26-01 mandates temporary grace periods, waivers of nonpayment fees, and prohibitions/suspensions of cancellation and nonrenewal notices for property and automobile insurance policies affecting specified Washington ZIP codes during the 2026 wildfires.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Operational requirements during the emergency order
Operational requirements during emergency
Insurers transacting property or automobile business in affected ZIP codes must follow the following requirements between Aug 3, 2026 and Sep 30, 2026:
ALL of the following
- Property insurers: suspend the 60-day nonrenewal notice period in RCW 48.18.290(1)(a)(i) during the state of emergency.
- Property insurers: do not issue a notice of nonrenewal less than 120 days before the policy expiration date.
- Property insurers: suspend the 60-day cancellation notice period in RCW 48.18.290(1)(a) during the state of emergency.
- Property insurers: do not issue a notice of cancellation less than 120 days before the policy expiration date.
ALL of the following
- Automobile insurers: suspend the 20-day nonrenewal notice period in RCW 48.18.292(1)(a) during the state of emergency.
- Automobile insurers: do not issue a notice of nonrenewal less than 60 days before the policy expiration date.
ZIP code list maintained and updated by OIC; effective immediately on issuance.
Encouraged actions
- Allow consumers to attest to being affected by the fires and, in good faith, provide relief.
- Consider alternative workplaces or secondary business locations for employees affected by evacuation orders.
Summary metrics and notice/grace period values
| No codes listed |
Required actions and prohibitions for insurers
Provide 45‑day grace period and waive nonpayment fees (Aug 3–Sep 30, 2026)
Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, all regulated entities transacting any property or automobile insurance business must provide grace periods of no less than 45 days for nonpayment of premium and must waive otherwise applicable charges and fees associated with nonpayment of premium, such as late fees and reinstatement fees.
- Grace period minimum: 45 days
- Waive late fees and reinstatement fees (and similar charges) for nonpayment during the effective period
Do not cancel policies for nonpayment (unless directed by the insured)
Between August 3, 2026, and September 30, 2026, no property or automobile insurer shall cancel a policy issued for nonpayment of premium, unless the insured specifically directs the insurer to do so.
- Insurers may only cancel for nonpayment during the order if explicitly directed by the insured
Suspend standard notice periods; meet minimum notice thresholds for property and automobile policies
Standard notice periods are suspended during the state of emergency; insurers must instead meet the specified minimum advance‑notice requirements for affected policies while the order is in effect (Aug 3–Sep 30, 2026).
- Property nonrenewal and cancellation: the 60‑day statutory notice periods are suspended and no notice may be issued less than 120 days before policy expiration.
- Automobile nonrenewal and cancellation: the 20‑day and 60‑day statutory notice periods are suspended and no notice may be issued less than 60 days before policy expiration.
Scope and legal authority
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