Washington Commissioner Issues Letter to Insurers Outlining Post-Flood Expectations

Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer issued guidance for flood survivors and the insurance companies and adjusters handling their claims following the evacuation of thousands of Western Washington residents from their homes during the atmospheric river and floods that slammed into the Pacific Northwest starting on December 8.

Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency due to flooding on December 10.

Related: Pacific Northwest Braces for Even More Flooding Rain This Week

Kuderer sent a letter to the insurance companies adjusting flood loss on Monday, saying she expects insurers to inform insureds how to comply with policy duties after loss to protect their home from further damage. Those instructions include telling policyholders how to photograph, then remove, damaged property from the interior of the home to reduce the spread of

mold.

In the letter, Kuderer urged property owners to follow local authorities’ guidance on when to safely return to their home and begin documenting damage. Kuderer also pointed out how quickly mold can grow after a flooding event.

To address this, she opened the emergency registration of adjusters to streamline the process for out-of-state adjusters to work in impacted areas.

Kuderer also urged people to follow best practices on how to clean after flood damage.