WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESB 5721

SB 5721: Automobile insurance

Enhancing consumer protections for automobile insurance coverage.

Summary

  • Creates a right to an appraisal in automobile insurance policies with first-party coverage for physical damage, which are issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.
  • Specifies requirements and procedures for appraisal, including timeframes for invoking appraisal, selecting appraisers, and appointing umpires, and determining the amount of loss.
  • Specifies the bearing of appraisal costs, but requires an insurer to reimburse the policyholder for appraisal costs under certain circumstances.
  • Requires the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to register competent and disinterested umpires and appoint such an umpire upon request.

From the Engrossed Senate Bill Report (ESB 5721), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 394, Laws of 2025
  1. IntroducedFeb 10, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 21, 2025
  3. Passed SenateMar 7, 2025
  4. Passed HouseApr 14, 2025
  5. GovernorMay 20, 2025
  6. LawMay 20, 2025
Prime sponsor
Derek Stanford (D-1)
Introduced
February 10, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
May 20, 2025
Session law
Chapter 394, Laws of 2025
Companion bill
HB 1645
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5721, ESB 5721

AN ACT Relating to enhancing consumer protections for automobile insurance coverage;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Derek Stanford (D-1)

9 co-sponsors (9 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Javier Valdez D-46Bob Hasegawa D-11Marcus Riccelli D-3Emily Alvarado D-34T'wina Nobles D-28Tina Orwall D-33Vandana Slatter D-48Yasmin Trudeau D-27Lisa Wellman D-41

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 7, 2025
Version voted on: ESB 5721
29 Yea 20 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28200
Republican11800
How each member voted
Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 14, 2025
Version voted on: ESB 5721
96 Yea 1 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat59000
Republican37101
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Nay (1)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed April 22, 2025
Version voted on: ESB 5721
46 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican17200
How each member voted

Yea (46)

Nay (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025. (ESB 5721)
  2. Chapter 394, 2025 Laws. (ESB 5721)
  3. Governor signed. (ESB 5721)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESB 5721)
  5. President signed. (ESB 5721)
  6. Speaker signed. (ESB 5721)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESB 5721)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESB 5721)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESB 5721)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESB 5721)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (ESB 5721)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESB 5721)
  13. CPB - Executive action taken by committee. (ESB 5721)
  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESB 5721)
  15. Minority; without recommendation. (ESB 5721)
  16. Minority; do not pass. (ESB 5721)
  17. CPB - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESB 5721)
  18. First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business. (ESB 5721)
  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 0. (ESB 5721)
  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESB 5721)
  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESB 5721)
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESB 5721)
  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESB 5721)
  24. Minority; without recommendation. (ESB 5721)
  25. Minority; do not pass. (ESB 5721)
  26. BFT - Majority; do pass. (ESB 5721)
  27. First reading, referred to Business, Financial Services & Trade. (ESB 5721)

SB 5721 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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