Licensees can petition the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) if they have an email-based violation on their disciplinary records. If approved, according to HB 1266, the disciplinary information will be removed from state and national records and any fines that resulted from email-based violations will be refunded.
Recent changes to the law
The passage of HB 1266 changed how we use email and mail to communicate with licensees. If we issue a notice, order or written communication that directly affects your license, it must be sent by mail to your last address of record with the OIC. This includes notification of an investigation, notification of an audit, findings from an audit or any written communication from the OIC under RCW 48.17.475(2)(c)(ii) and RCW 48.15.103(8)(c)(ii). We can only send emails to licensees under specific circumstances. See RCW 48.17.450, RCW 48.17.475, and RCW 48.15.103, for additional information.
Who can submit a petition?
Licensed or formerly licensed insurance producers, surplus line brokers, title insurance agents or adjusters can submit a petition or ask questions using this form. You're eligible to submit a petition if you've had a disciplinary investigation or order resulting solely from an email-based violation of RCW 48.15.103 or 48.17.475 before July 1, 2023.
If you're unsure if this applies to you, you can look up orders and licensing information with the consumer toolkit.