Reinsurer Says State Law Does Not Invalidate Certificates’ Arbitration Provision

SEATTLE — A reinsurer has moved to compel a Washington risk management pool to arbitrate its claims demanding contribution for its settlement of sexual abuse lawsuits filed against a school district, arguing that the arbitration provisions in the facultative treaties are not void under state law.

In a Sept. 1 filing in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Sompo International Reinsurance says the reinsurance treaties do not violate Washington law — RCW § 48.18.200) — which states that insurance contracts may not contain mandatory arbitration clauses or foreign choice of law clauses.

Sompo contends that the …