Follow these instructions to apply to offer guaranteed asset protection (GAP) waivers or to register as a service contract provider for home heating fuel service, vehicles, non-vehicles (tire and wheel, electronics, windshield, etc.) or product protection guarantees.

Service contract providers - vehicle and non-vehicle

Before you apply

Service contract providers and their registration requirements are defined in RCW 48.110. This chapter does not provide for the registration of administrators. Only the registrant has authority under a registration and the registration cannot be used for wholesale purposes.

You are not allowed to issue any service contracts, solicit or accept applications until you're registered with us as a service contract provider.

How to apply for your certificate of registration

Follow these instructions to apply for a certificate of registration as a service contract provider. 

  1. Download and complete the service contract provider application (PDF 1.02MB). Answer all questions and provide all requested documents, including these if they're applicable to your organization: 
  2. Print your completed application and have it signed by an authorized officer and notarized.
  3. Combine the application, supplemental documents and any cover letter into a single PDF document.
  4. Attach your PDF and submit your application via email.
  5. Send your application fee payment to one of our mailing addresses.

We acknowledge applications upon receipt.

Registration fee

A non-refundable application fee of $250 is required with your application. You can send your payment to:

Mailing address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
PO Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255

Delivery (street) address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
5000 Capitol Blvd SE
Tumwater, WA 98501

USPS will only accept the PO Box mailing address and does not allow other shippers to use that address. All non-USPS shippers must use the street address. Use of an incorrect address may result in a returned application. 

After you apply

Applications are assigned to our analysts in the order they're received. Once assigned, an analyst will reach out to the contact listed in question 8 in your application. If there's someone else who should be contacted, be sure to include their contact information in your application. 

If your organization doesn't meet the financial requirements to register, RCW 48.110.078(1), we'll stop our review and the application will be closed. 

If you meet all requirements and any errors in your application are resolved within 15 business days, we'll issue your certificate of registration by email. 

You need to keep your registration information current with us by reporting any material changes or additions within 30 days after the end of the month in which the change or addition occurs. You can report changes to us via email.

Registered service contract provider responsibilities

Once registered, your organization has legal, financial and reporting requirements. Review carefully what's required of you as a registered service contract provider.

Financial responsibility requirement for motor vehicle service providers

Motor vehicle service contracts can't be issued, sold or offered in Washington or to Washington residents unless the service contract provider insures all service contracts under a reimbursement insurance policy (CLIP). The policy must be issued by an insurer holding a certificate of authority from the commissioner or a risk retention group properly registered with the commissioner. See RCW 48.110.075 for complete details.

If you offer motor vehicle service contracts you must use a single CLIP to cover all types of service contracts you offer. 

Financial responsibility for non-vehicle service providers

To demonstrate financial responsibility and the ability to meet your obligations as a service contract provider, you must use one of the following forms of indemnity to cover all types of service contracts you offer:

  • Insure all service contracts under a reimbursement insurance policy issued by an insurer holding a certificate of authority from the commissioner or a risk retention group. See RCW 48.110.050(2)(a) for complete details.
  • Maintain a funded reserve account for its obligations under its service contracts issued and outstanding in this state and place in trust with the commissioner a financial security deposit, having a value of not less than 5% of the gross consideration received, less claims paid, on the sale of the service contract for all service contracts issued and in force, but not less than $25,000. See RCW 48.110.050(2)(b) for complete details.
  • Maintain, or its parent company maintain, a net worth or stockholder's equity of at least $100 million. See RCW 48.110.050(c) for complete details.

Annual reporting and filing fee

Every registered service contract provider needs to complete an annual financial statement report before March 1 each year. There is an annual filing fee of $20 also due by March 1 each year. 

Form filings (for vehicle service contract providers only)

Motor vehicle service contract providers need to submit all proposed forms for approval to our Rates and Forms Division when they receive their certificate of registration. Read the instructions for filing motor vehicle service contracts.

All service contract forms for motor vehicles issued, delivered, sold or marketed in Washington or to Washington state residents must be filed with our office for approval within 60 days after you begin using the forms.

Contact our Rates and Forms Help Desk at 360-725-7111 or email rfhelpdesk@oic.wa.gov if you have form filing-related questions.

Service contract coverage change request (registered service contract providers only)

If you're a registered service contract provider and want to change which types of coverage you offer, download and complete the service contract coverage change request form (PDF 803.34KB).

You can submit this form to us via email.

How to renew

Your certificate of registration is valid unless it's surrendered, suspended or revoked by the commissioner. You can also choose not to renew. 

Your registration is up for renewal annually on July 1, and you will need to pay a $200 renewal fee. If you choose not to renew, your registration is considered expired on June 30 of that year. 

Protection product guarantee provider

Before you apply

Protection product guarantee providers and their registration requirements are defined in RCW 48.110. This chapter does not provide for the registration of administrators. Only the registrant has authority under a registration and the registration cannot be used for wholesale purposes.

You are not allowed to issue any protection product guarantee contracts, solicit or accept applications until you're registered with us as a protection product guarantee provider.  

Once registered, your organization has legal, financial and reporting requirements. Review carefully what's required of you as a registered protection product guarantee provider. 

Financial responsibility for protection product guarantee providers

Protection product guarantee contracts can't be issued, sold or offered in Washington or to Washington residents unless the protection product guarantee provider insures all contracts under a reimbursement insurance policy (CLIP).  

The policy must be issued by an insurer holding a certificate of authority from the commissioner or a risk retention group properly registered with the commissioner. See RCW 48.110.060 for complete details.

How to apply for your certificate of registration 

  1. Download and complete the protection product guarantee provider application (PDF 898.55KB) and gather all the requested documents. Include the required service of legal process form (PDF 802.93KB), the most current biographical affidavit form on the NAIC website and a certification form for financial statements (PDF 1.12MB) if applicable (this must be signed in the presence of a notary public). 
  2. Print your completed application and have it signed by an authorized officer and notarized.
  3. Combine the application, supplemental documents and any cover letter into a single PDF document. 
  4. Attach your PDF and submit your application via email.
  5. Send your application fee payment to one of our mailing addresses.

We acknowledge applications upon receipt.

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee of $250 is required with your application. You can send your payment to:

Mailing address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
PO Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255

Delivery (street) address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
5000 Capitol Blvd SE
Tumwater, WA 98501

USPS will only accept the PO Box mailing address and does not allow other shippers to use that address. All non-USPS shippers must use the street address. Use of an incorrect address may result in a returned application.

After you apply

Applications are assigned to our analysts in the order they're received. If you meet all requirements and any errors in your application are resolved within 15 business days, we'll issue your certificate of registration by email.

You need to keep your registration information current with us by reporting any material changes or additions within 30 days after the end of the month in which the change or addition occurs. You can report changes to us via email.

Home heating fuel service contract provider

Home heating fuel distributors must be registered with our office to sell service contracts to their customers to repair or replace oil tanks and their related parts if they fail. Read our full notice to home heating distributors for this requirement (PDF 71.57KB).

You must have a certificate of registration from us before you issue any service contracts, solicit or accept any applications. See RCW 48.111 for complete details.  

How to apply for your certificate of registration 

  1. Download and complete the home heating fuel service contract provider application (PDF 163.92KB) and gather all the requested documents, including the required bond form (PDF 91.24KB).
  2. Print your completed application and have it signed by an authorized officer and notarized.
  3. Combine the application, supplemental documents and any cover letter into a single PDF document. 
  4. Attach your PDF and submit your application via email.
  5. Send your application fee payment to one of our mailing addresses.

We acknowledge applications upon receipt. 

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required with your application. You can send your payment to:

Mailing address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
PO Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255

Delivery (street) address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
5000 Capitol Blvd SE
Tumwater, WA 98501

USPS will only accept the PO Box mailing address and does not allow other shippers to use that address. All non-USPS shippers must use the street address. Use of an incorrect address may result in a returned application.

After you apply

Applications are assigned to our analysts in the order they're received. If you meet all requirements and any errors in your application are resolved within 15 business days, we'll issue your certificate of registration by email.

You need to keep your registration information current with us by reporting any material changes or additions within 30 days after the end of the month in which the change or addition occurs. You can report changes to us via email. 

GAP waiver provider

GAP waivers and the application process to apply to offer them are defined in RCW 48.160 and WAC 284-160. If you're applying, it's your responsibility to understand these chapters and other applicable statutes. You need to be registered with our office to offer, market, sell or act as an obligor for a GAP waiver. 

Before you apply

You're not required to register if you're a retail seller of motor vehicles that assigns more than 85% of GAP waiver agreements within 30 days of the effective date to a registered GAP waiver obligor or if you're an insurer authorized to transact this type of insurance business in Washington. 

Anyone acting as an exempt creditor can choose to offer a GAP waiver that complies with certain sections under RCW 48.160.

How to apply for your certificate of registration

  1. Download and complete the GAP waiver provider application (PDF 1.08MB) and gather all the requested documents.
  2. Print your completed application and have it signed by an authorized officer and notarized.
  3. Combine the application, supplemental documents and any cover letter into a single PDF document. 
  4. Attach your PDF and submit your application via email.
  5. Send your application fee payment to one of our mailing addresses.

We acknowledge applications upon receipt.

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee of $250 is required with your application. You can send your payment to:

Mailing address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
PO Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255

Delivery (street) address:
Attn: Company Supervision Division
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
5000 Capitol Blvd SE
Tumwater, WA 98501

USPS will only accept the PO Box mailing address and does not allow other shippers to use that address. All non-USPS shippers must use the street address. Use of an incorrect address may result in a returned application.

After you apply

Applications are assigned to our analysts in the order they're received. If you meet all requirements and any errors in your application are resolved within 15 business days, we'll issue your certificate of registration by email.

You need to keep your registration information current with us by reporting any material changes or additions within 30 days after the end of the month in which the change or addition occurs. You can report changes to us via email. 

RCW/WAC
RCW 48.160 GAP waivers
RCW 48.110 Service contracts and protection product guarantees
RCW 48.111 Home heating fuel service contracts