(1) A public or private entity who exercises due diligence in preparing a document of any kind that compares health carriers of any kind is immune from civil liability from claims based on the document and the contents of the document.

     (2)(a) There is absolute immunity to civil liability from claims based on such a comparison document and its contents if the information was provided by the carrier, was substantially accurately presented, and contained the effective date of the information that the carrier supplied, if any.

     (b) Where due diligence efforts to obtain accurate information have been taken, there is immunity from claims based on such a comparison document and its contents if the publisher of the comparison document asked for such information from the carrier, was refused, and relied on any usually reliable source for the information including, but not limited to, carrier enrollees, customers, insurance producers, or providers. The carrier enrollees, customers, insurance producers, or providers are likewise immune from civil liability on claims based on information they provided if they believed the information to be accurate and had exercised due diligence in their efforts to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.

     (3) The immunity from liability contained in this section applies only if the comparison document contains the following in a conspicuous place and in easy to read typeface:

This comparison is based on information believed to be reliable by its publisher, but the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed. Caution is suggested to all readers who are encouraged to confirm data of importance to the reader before any purchasing or other decisions are made.

[2008 c 217 § 48; 1996 c 312 § 5.]

NOTES:

     Severability -- Effective date -- 2008 c 217: See notes following RCW 48.03.020.