Commissioners move to send withdrawal notice after sharp insurance premium and coverage changes
December 22, 2025 | Cowlitz County, Washington
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Commissioners directed staff to prepare a notice of withdrawal from the county's risk pool after members described significant premium increases and contract-term changes.
Risk-management staff said a recent memorandum changed liability coverage language and that the county had received invoices in late November. According to staff, the county faces an estimated increase to roughly $865,000 for 2026 premiums and was told to expect another large increase — staff mentioned a possible additional 45% jump — in 2027. One commissioner summarized the effect: "We will have to buy a tail to cover us" if the pool now operates on a claims-made basis.
Because Cowlitz County's original interlocal agreement with the pool (signed in 1989) constrains exit options, staff recommended giving the required one-year notice by Dec. 30 to preserve the county's right to review alternatives. The proposed letter would be dated Dec. 30, 2025, and would be submitted electronically; commissioners agreed to request the letter be signed and sent.
Staff said the notice would preserve a six-month window to solicit broker bids and proposals and decide whether to remain in the pool; if the county does not give timely notice it would remain tied to the pool for an additional year under the interlocal arrangement. Commissioners expressed frustration about the premium increases and the change in coverage terms, and requested legal review and further analysis of the potential cost of leaving the pool (including the cost of purchasing a "tail" to cover past claims under a claims-made regime).
No formal vote with a mover/second was recorded in the transcript; the board asked staff to send the withdrawal letter and to continue evaluating alternatives to ensure coverage and budget stability.
Risk-management staff said a recent memorandum changed liability coverage language and that the county had received invoices in late November. According to staff, the county faces an estimated increase to roughly $865,000 for 2026 premiums and was told to expect another large increase — staff mentioned a possible additional 45% jump — in 2027. One commissioner summarized the effect: "We will have to buy a tail to cover us" if the pool now operates on a claims-made basis.
Because Cowlitz County's original interlocal agreement with the pool (signed in 1989) constrains exit options, staff recommended giving the required one-year notice by Dec. 30 to preserve the county's right to review alternatives. The proposed letter would be dated Dec. 30, 2025, and would be submitted electronically; commissioners agreed to request the letter be signed and sent.
Staff said the notice would preserve a six-month window to solicit broker bids and proposals and decide whether to remain in the pool; if the county does not give timely notice it would remain tied to the pool for an additional year under the interlocal arrangement. Commissioners expressed frustration about the premium increases and the change in coverage terms, and requested legal review and further analysis of the potential cost of leaving the pool (including the cost of purchasing a "tail" to cover past claims under a claims-made regime).
No formal vote with a mover/second was recorded in the transcript; the board asked staff to send the withdrawal letter and to continue evaluating alternatives to ensure coverage and budget stability.
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