The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner published a news release providing information on auto umpire registration.

Washington insurance law requires the Office to create a voluntary registry of auto umpires. To become an umpire, the following criteria must be met:

• At least 5 years of experience as an appraiser of auto claims or a collision repair specialist
• Must have served on an appraisal panel as an umpire at least 5 times
• Must have an associate degree, or a professional auto repair certification or designation from an accredited association
• An additional appraisal certification or designation from an accredited association

When presiding over an appraisal panel, an umpire must sign an attestation form confirming they have no financial interest in the matter and of their competence.

Qualified applicants can apply for the voluntary registry by emailing [email protected].