- home
- used autos
- your rights
- towing
- directions
We believe a better informed consumer can make better choices.
To better serve our customers, we have posted the Virginia Law Code with regard to vehicles being
repaired under insurance claims.
The law states:
§ 38.2-517. Unfair settlement practices; replacement and repair; penalty.
A. No person shall:
1. Require an insured or claimant to utilize designated replacement or repair facilities or services, or the products of designated manufacturers, as a prerequisite to settling or paying any claim arising under a policy or policies of insurance;
2. Engage in any act of coercion or intimidation causing or intended to cause an
insured or claimant to utilize designated replacement or repair facilities or services, or the products
of designated manufacturers, in connection with settling or paying any claim arising
under a policy or policies of insurance;
3. Fail to disclose to the insured or claimant, prior to being referred to a third
party representative in connection with a glass claim arising under a motor vehicle insurance policy,
that the third party representative is not the insurer and is acting on behalf
of the insurer;
4. Fail to disclose to the insured or claimant, at such time as the insurer or
its third party representative recommends the use of a designated motor vehicle replacement or repair
facility or service, or products of a designated manufacturer, in connection with settling
or paying any claim arising under a policy or policies of insurance, that the insured or claimant
is under no obligation to use the replacement or repair facility or service or products of the manufacturer
recommended by the insurer or by a representative of the
insurer; or
5. Fail to disclose to the insured or claimant, at such time as it or its third
party representative recommends the use of a designated motor vehicle replacement or repair facility
in connection with settling or paying any claim arising under a policy or policies of
insurance, that the insurer or its third party representative has a financial interest in such replacement
or repair facility, if the insurer or its third party representative has such an interest.
B. This section shall not be construed to require an insurer to pay an amount for
motor vehicle repair services or repair products necessary to properly and fairly repair the vehicle
to its pre-loss condition that is greater than the prevailing competitive charges for equivalent services
or products charged by similar contractors or repair shops within a reasonable geographic or trade
area of the address of the repair facility. Offering an explanation of the extent of an insurer's
obligation under this section to its policyholder
or third party claimant shall not constitute a violation of this section.
C. Any person violating this section shall be subject to the injunctive, penalty,
and enforcement provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 38.2-200 et seq.) of this title. The Commission
shall investigate, with the written authorization of the insured or the claimant, any written complaints
received pursuant to this section, regardless of whether such written complaints are submitted by
an individual or a repair facility. For the purpose of this section, any insurance company utilizing
a third party representative shall be
held accountable for any violation of this section by such third party representative.
For more on this law: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp524.exe?000+cod+38.2-517
Wood's Body Shop, LLC
804-966-5183
5421 Pocahontas Trail
Providence Forge, VA 23140
email