Washington law sets rules for travel insurance sellers and customer protections

Licensed insurance producers may let registered travel retailers offer and explain travel insurance. These rules cover travel insurance offered to Washington residents by travel retailers under a limited-lines insurance producer’s direction. The producer must give buyers key information about coverage, claims, and cancellations, and keep a register of retailers offering insurance on its behalf. Unlicensed retailer staff may give general information but may not interpret coverage, advise about a buyer’s other insurance, or claim to be insurance experts. The producer must train relevant retailer staff and is responsible for the retailer’s conduct. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.

Travel insurance sellers must provide required coverage information and allow eligible buyers to cancel for a full refund. These rules apply to travel insurance and travel protection plans offered to Washington residents. If a policy excludes preexisting conditions, sellers must provide information about the exclusion before purchase and in the materials sent after purchase. Buyers may cancel for a full refund unless they have started a covered trip or filed a claim. The refund period lasts at least 15 days after mailed materials arrive, or 10 days after materials arrive by another method. Sellers may not add coverage through an opt-out choice, and may not market blanket travel insurance as free. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.

Sellers may charge one price for a plan combining travel insurance, travel help, and cancellation-fee waivers. This rule covers travel protection plans that combine insurance with travel assistance services or cancellation-fee waivers. At or before purchase, sellers must say which features the plan includes and give buyers a chance to learn about each feature and its price. Materials sent after purchase must describe the features separately and include insurance disclosures and service-provider contact information, as applicable. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.