How Does the Insurance Fair Conduct Act (IFCA) Protect Washington State Drivers?
The Insurance Fair Conduct Act (IFCA), which was a voter approved initiative, took effect on Dec. 6, 2007. The law made it illegal for insurance companies to “unreasonably deny an insurance claim or violate laws that govern unfair claims-settlement practices.” Practically, this means that insurance companies must acknowledge policyholders’ letters and phone calls about their claims, promptly investigate claims and approve legitimate claims. See all the laws and IFCA rules here: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-fair-conduct-act-ifca-laws-and-rules
If your insurance company unreasonably denied your claim for coverage or payment of benefits or violated other regulations around the claims-settlement process; you may be able to seek punitive damages in court. Contact a personal injury lawyer familiar with IFCA in Washington State for a free assessment of your grievance.