Key Takeaways
- Washington RCW 48.30 prohibits unfair and deceptive trade practices including misrepresentation and false advertising
- Rebating is generally prohibited in Washington, with limited exceptions for nominal value items
- Twisting and churning are prohibited practices subject to license revocation and fines up to $25,000
- Insurers must handle claims in good faith within specified timeframes
- Unfair discrimination based on protected characteristics is prohibited in underwriting and rating
Unfair Trade Practices
RCW 48.30 governs unfair and deceptive trade practices in Washington insurance. Understanding these prohibited practices is essential for ethical conduct and exam success.
Misrepresentation
Producers and insurers are prohibited from:
False Statements
- Making false statements about policy terms or benefits
- Misrepresenting the financial condition of an insurer
- Using misleading policy illustrations
- Making false statements about competitors
- Misrepresenting the nature of the insurance transaction
Examples of Misrepresentation
| Prohibited Statement | Why It's Misrepresentation |
|---|---|
| "This policy covers everything" | No policy covers all losses |
| "Your rates will never increase" | Rates can and do change |
| "This company is the largest" | If not true, it's false |
| "You must buy today" | False urgency |
False Advertising
Washington prohibits deceptive insurance advertising:
- Ads must be truthful and not misleading
- Must clearly identify as insurance advertisement
- Cannot use testimonials that are not genuine
- Cannot imply government endorsement
- Must include insurer's name
Social Media Rules
- Same standards apply to social media
- Must be clear it's an advertisement
- Cannot make claims that can't be substantiated
- Producer must be identified
Rebating
Rebating is offering inducements not specified in the policy to purchase insurance:
What Is Prohibited
- Returning part of premium to insured
- Offering gifts or prizes of significant value
- Paying for referrals to individuals
- Sharing commission with non-licensed persons
Limited Exceptions
Washington allows:
- Dividends specified in policy
- Legitimate marketing items of nominal value (pens, calendars)
- Group premium discounts
- Volume discounts specified in rating
Exam Tip: Rebating is generally prohibited in Washington. Remember the limited exceptions for nominal value items.
Twisting and Churning
Twisting
Making misrepresentations to induce replacement of existing insurance:
- Falsely claiming existing policy is worthless
- Misrepresenting surrender values
- Hiding costs of replacement
- Exaggerating benefits of new policy
Churning
Excessive replacement of policies to generate commissions:
- Multiple replacements for same client
- Pattern of replacements in book of business
- Ignoring client's best interests
- Creating new surrender charge periods
Penalties
| Violation | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|
| First offense | Warning, fine, or suspension |
| Repeat offense | License revocation |
| Per violation | Up to $25,000 fine |
| Consumer harm | Restitution required |
Unfair Claims Practices
Washington requires insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly under RCW 48.30.015:
Prohibited Practices
- Misrepresenting policy provisions to claimants
- Failing to acknowledge claims promptly
- Failing to communicate claim decisions
- Denying claims without reasonable investigation
- Offering substantially less than reasonable value
- Delaying payment to force settlement
- Requiring excessive documentation
Claim Handling Requirements
Washington requires timely claims handling:
- Prompt acknowledgment of claims
- Reasonable investigation
- Clear communication of decisions
- Timely payment when claim is accepted
Bad Faith
If an insurer acts in bad faith, policyholders may recover:
- Policy benefits owed
- Consequential damages
- Treble damages in some cases
- Attorney's fees
- Regulatory penalties
Unfair Discrimination
Washington prohibits unfair discrimination in insurance:
Protected Characteristics
| Protected | Cannot Discriminate Based On |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Cannot penalize unmarried |
| Domestic Partnership | Must treat as married |
| Gender Identity | Full protection |
| Sexual Orientation | Full protection |
| Race/Ethnicity | Prohibited |
| Religion | Prohibited |
| Disability | With limitations |
| HIV/AIDS Status | Special protections |
What IS Permitted
Risk-based underwriting using:
- Age
- Health history
- Claims history
- Occupation (with limitations)
- Lifestyle factors (smoking, hazardous activities)
What is the maximum fine per violation for unfair trade practices in Washington?
Which of the following is generally PERMITTED in Washington insurance sales?