Washington Insurance Commissioner Issues Emergency Order for Flood-Related Claims

Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer has issued an emergency order effective from December 15, 2025, through February 12, 2026, to assist policyholders affected by the recent atmospheric river and winter weather events that caused widespread flooding. This order mandates all property and casualty insurers operating within Washington to provide specific relief and ensures they meet their obligations regarding claims related to these natural disasters. The directive aims to facilitate prompt and fair claims handling during the emergency period, reinforcing access to coverage for affected residents. In addition to issuing the order, Commissioner Kuderer opened registration for out-of-state insurance adjusters to bolster claims processing capacity and distributed detailed guidance to insurers and the public on the investigation and adjustment procedures for flood damage. These measures seek to enhance operational efficiency and support accurate, timely insurance assessments of property losses resulting from the disaster. The emergency order was authorized under powers granted following the statewide emergency proclamation declared by Governor Bob Ferguson on December 10, 2025. This proclamation enables the insurance commissioner to take regulatory actions to maintain insurance market stability and protect consumers during declared emergency conditions. The order is subject to extension in 30-day increments as long as the governor's emergency declaration remains active. Commissioner Kuderer's office also engaged directly with affected communities by deploying consumer protection experts to a town hall meeting in Burlington, Washington, providing frontline assistance and information. These efforts underscore the regulatory emphasis on consumer support and insurer accountability in the aftermath of significant weather-related losses. This emergency response highlights the interaction between state government emergency management and insurance regulatory oversight designed to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on policyholders. It also reflects broader trends in adaptive insurance regulation enabling expedited claims processing and expanded adjuster resources during crisis events, which is critical for maintaining public confidence in insurer responsiveness and the integrity of the property and casualty insurance market in Washington state.