(1) Every insurance producer, title insurance agent, adjuster, or other person licensed under this chapter shall timely respond in writing to an inquiry of the commissioner sent to a person's mailing address relative to the business of insurance. A timely response is one that is received by the commissioner within 15 business days from receipt of the inquiry. Failure to make a timely response constitutes a violation of this section and may result in a penalty under either RCW 48.17.530 or 48.17.560, or both.

(2)(a) Every insurance producer, title insurance agent, adjuster, and other person licensed under this chapter shall timely respond in writing to an inquiry of the commissioner sent to a person's email address relative to the business of insurance. A timely response is one that is received by the commissioner within 15 business days from receipt of the inquiry. Failure to make a timely response constitutes a violation of this subsection if the requirements under (c) of this subsection are met.

(b)(i) When an email from the commissioner requires a response, the commissioner shall:

(A) Send no fewer than two separate emails with a subject line stating "Response Required"; and

(B) Prominently display in large font type in the body of each email the following: "FAILURE TO TIMELY RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL IS A VIOLATION OF RCW 48.17.475 AND IS SUBJECT TO PENALTIES UNDER RCW 48.17.530 AND 48.17.560 INCLUDING FINES AND LICENSE REVOCATION. A TIMELY RESPONSE IS ONE RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN 15 BUSINESS DAYS OF YOUR RECEIPT OF THIS INQUIRY."

(ii) If the commissioner sends an inquiry by email and is notified that the email is undeliverable, the commissioner shall resend the notice once by mail to the person's last known address on record with the commissioner.

(c) A person is in violation of this subsection only if: (i) The commissioner complies with the requirements under (b) of this subsection; (ii) the commissioner sends a third and final written inquiry by certified mail to the person's last mailing address registered with the commissioner that follows the requirements of (b)(i)(B) of this subsection; and (iii) the commissioner fails to receive a response within 15 business days of the licensee's receipt of the inquiry.

Effective date—2023 c 27: See note following RCW 48.17.170.