# Virginia HB808: Insurance; unfair claim settlement practices, modification of loss estimate.

Virginia HB808, Insurance; unfair claim settlement practices, modification of loss estimate., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Dan I. Helmer (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0672)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB808-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB808
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Insurance; unfair claim settlement practices, modification of loss estimate.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0672)
- Sponsor: Dan I. Helmer (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 9 (305 yes, 10 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 3

## Summary

Insurance; unfair claim settlement practices; modification of loss estimate. Prohibits an insurer, when reducing a loss estimate of $3,000 or more, from altering or amending an insurance adjuster's estimate of damages, photographic report data, or narrative report without meeting certain requirements including providing the policyholder with a detailed explanation as to why any change that has the effect of reducing the loss estimate was made.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Stronger rights on car repair estimates: benefit, high. Appraisals for car repairs must be based on a personal inspection by an insurer rep or a repair shop rep. Insurers can use photos or video for initial or supplemental estimates, but they cannot require you to send images. If a repair is disputed, a personal inspection is required. When an insurer r…
- Clear notice for non-manufacturer car parts: benefit, low. If an insurer bases a repair estimate on aftermarket parts, it must say so in writing. The notice must state those parts must match original parts in fit, quality, and performance. “Aftermarket part” means a non‑manufacturer sheet metal or plastic exterior panel.
- Stronger claims rules, limited lawsuits: mixed, low. The law bans repeated unfair claim practices by insurers, like misrepresenting coverage, delaying action, or lowball offers. The state insurance commission enforces these rules. Breaking these rules alone does not let you sue, but you can still sue under other laws that apply.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Dan I. Helmer (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-12 | House | Senate substitute agreed to by House | pass | 98 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | Senate | Passed Senate with substitute | pass | 33 | 7 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | Senate | Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-10 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-10 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 37 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-09 | Senate | Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute | pass | 12 | 3 |   |
| 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House Block Vote | pass | 97 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | House | Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) | pass | 20 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) | pass | 8 | 0 |   |

## Actions (33)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0672) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 672 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB808ER) (House)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-11: Passed Senate with substitute (33-Y 7-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Committee substitute printed 26109104D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (12-Y 3-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by House as amended (House)
- 2026-02-16: committee amendments agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-15: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-12: Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) (20-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-10: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-10: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (8-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-02-02: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB808) (House)
- 2026-01-22: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1 (House)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100346D (House)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221652.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221651.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213449.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213448.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1201762.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1200751.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1200750.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1201761.PDF)
- Engrossed, 2026-02-16: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1147059.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1147058.PDF)
- Amendment, 2026-02-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145843.HTML)
- Amendment, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138822.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1139093.HTML)
- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085975.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085974.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221652.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221651.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213449.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213448.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1201762.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1200751.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1200750.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1201761.PDF)
- [Engrossed (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1147059.HTML)
- [Engrossed (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1147058.PDF)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145843.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138822.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1139093.HTML)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085975.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1085974.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB808-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).