Washington Implements Flood Insurance Coverage Law

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed Senate Bill 5417, an act relating to flood insurance coverage.

According to the law, “every insurer issuing a homeowner, condominium unit owner, residential tenant and residential fire insurance policy that does not cover damage caused by flood must notify the policyholder that the policy does not cover damage caused by flood. The notice must also inform the policyholder how to contact the National Flood Insurance Program, or one of NFIP’s agents.

The notice must be provided at the time the policy is issued and renewed.

The specific language to be used in the customer notification can be viewed at http://www.leg.wa.gov.