Virginia insurance laws
Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for Virginia. Updated Apr 1, 2026.
Virginia DOI page content changed
Virginia DOI Website · Apr 21, 2026
Department of Insurance
Virginia operates under a prior approval rate filing system overseen by the State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance. Scott White, who has served as Commissioner since 2018, was elected President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for 2026. The Bureau regulates all lines of insurance through comprehensive statutes in Title 38.2 of the Virginia Code, with a focus on consumer protection and market stability.
Auto Insurance
Notable Laws
- Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-472: Establishes minimum liability coverage requirements of $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 effective January 1, 2025
- Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2206: Requires uninsured motorist coverage of at least $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury and $20,000 property damage
- Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-706: Virginia is a contributory negligence state; any plaintiff fault bars recovery completely
- Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2212: Homeowners and auto insurance cancellation requires 45 days' notice
- Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2126: Permits use of credit scoring in underwriting and rating auto insurance policies
Homeowners Insurance
Notable Laws
- Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2114: Prohibits non-renewal of homeowners insurance except for specified reasons including non-payment or material misrepresentation
- Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2113: Requires 45 days' notice for cancellation or non-renewal of homeowners policies
- Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2126: Permits use of credit-based insurance scores with disclosure requirements
- Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-2131: Prohibits assignment of fire insurance claims without insurer consent (effective July 1, 2025)
- Administrative Letter 2025-06: Prohibits depreciation of labor costs in actual cash value property insurance settlements
Recent Bulletins
Depreciation of Labor and Nontangible Items in Property Insurance Policies
Clarifies that labor and nontangible items cannot be depreciated in actual cash value (ACV) loss settlements under property insurance policies. This guidance protects policyholders from unfair claim settlement practices.
View bulletinTitle Insurance Alternatives
Addresses the use and regulation of alternative products to traditional title insurance, providing guidance on acceptable alternatives and regulatory requirements for non-traditional title products.
View bulletinOffer or Provision of Value-Added Products and Services under Section 38.2-509 of the Code of Virginia
Outlines requirements for insurers offering value-added products or services. Emphasizes compliance with anti-rebating laws while supporting risk mitigation products that help lower premiums and claims costs.
View bulletinRequirements for Domestic, Foreign, and Alien Insurance Companies Seeking Admission to Do Business in Virginia
Replaces Administrative Letter 2002-07 and details comprehensive admission procedures for insurance entities to operate in Virginia, including documentation, financial requirements, and licensing processes.
View bulletinGuidance to health carriers and procedures for determining a material change requiring Commission prior approval
Provides procedures for health carriers to identify and report material changes to policies, rates, or operations that require official approval from the State Corporation Commission before implementation.
View bulletinRecent Law Changes
Fire insurance; assignment of claims prohibited
Prohibits fire insurance policies or fire insurance in combination with other coverages from assigning or transferring claims, in whole or in part, to any other person without written consent of the insurer.
Protects insurers from assignment of benefits fraud and reduces homeowners insurance claim abuse by contractors.
Effective: 2025-07-01
Health insurance; required provisions regarding prior authorization for health care services
Requires health insurance carriers to establish clear prior authorization processes with specific timeframes (72 hours for expedited requests, 7 calendar days for standard requests), maintain publicly available lists of services requiring prior authorization, and report prior authorization data to the Bureau of Insurance.
Improves transparency and timeliness of prior authorization decisions, benefiting healthcare providers and patients with faster access to care.
Effective: 2026-01-01
Health insurance; coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices
Prohibits health insurance carriers from imposing cost-sharing requirements (deductibles, copayments, coinsurance) for contraceptive drugs and devices covered under the policy.
Vetoed by Governor; would have eliminated out-of-pocket costs for contraceptives for insured Virginians.
Motor vehicle liability insurance; increases coverage amounts
Increased minimum auto liability insurance from $25,000/$50,000/$20,000 to $30,000/$60,000/$20,000 effective January 1, 2022, and further to $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 effective January 1, 2025.
Provides greater financial protection for Virginia accident victims by significantly increasing minimum liability coverage requirements.
Effective: 2025-01-01
Workers' compensation; presumption of compensability for certain cancers
Expands the workers' compensation presumption of compensability for firefighters and emergency personnel to include bladder cancer and thyroid cancer for employees who have completed five years of service.
Provides enhanced workers' compensation benefits for firefighters and emergency responders diagnosed with bladder or thyroid cancer linked to occupational exposure.
Effective: 2023-07-01
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