Domestic Partner Registration
In April, the state legislature approved Senate Bill 5688, which expands the rights and responsibilities of state-registered domestic partners, including same-sex couples. With some exceptions, the law gives the partners the same rights and protections as spouses.
The law was slated to take effect July 26th, but is on hold pending a referendum attempt by opponents, who are trying to put the law to a statewide vote in November. According to the Secretary of State's office, the group opposing the new law appears to have gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
If the law does take effect, it wouldn't happen until later this year, depending on the outcome of the Nov. 3 vote. Here are some frequently asked questions about how it would affect insurance.
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Answers:
Is my domestic partner now covered by my health insurance?
Not automatically. The law requires your insurance company to offer you the option to cover your state registered domestic partner under your policy, but you will need to check with your insurance company to find out how to obtain this coverage for your partner. You may need to wait for an "open enrollment" period when new enrollments are allowed. These open enrollment periods generally happen at set times of the year, often in January.
Is my domestic partner automatically covered by my auto and home insurance?
Under the new law, your state registered domestic partner is considered your family member, the same as a spouse. You should contact your insurance companies to inform them of your state registered domestic partnership. You will need to find out by reading your policies or asking your insurance companies how your coverage applies to your registered domestic partner. For example, many auto insurance policies cover you and any family members who drive your car.
I have a partner but we’re not registered with the state. Does that matter?
Yes. You must be registered with the State of Washington or another state that registers domestic partnerships in order to include your partner as a family member on your insurance. Registration is handled by the Secretary of State's office. It costs $50. In Washington, you can register by mail, but the forms must be notarized.
What do I have to do to notify my insurer of my domestic partnership?
Contact your insurer and provide proof of your registered domestic partnership. This proof can be the certificate that you were provided by the State when you registered your domestic partnership. Your insurance company may accept other kinds of proof. But check with your insurer.
As a registered domestic partner, will I automatically become the beneficiary of my partner’s life insurance policy?
No. The person whose life is insured designates his or her beneficiary. In order for you to be the beneficiary of your registered domestic partner's life insurance policy, he or she would have to designate you as the beneficiary.
Can either my partner or I make changes to our insurance coverages?
Either of you may add the other as a family member covered under his or her insurance policy. This law does not change anything else about your insurance; you may still make any changes that were allowable before. In general, only the principal person on the policy can make changes. For example, if you obtained health insurance through your employer, you as an employee would be the principal insured. Check with your insurer to find out who has authority to make changes to your policy.
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