{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-321.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-321.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-321.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-321.html"}],"law_id":60210,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60210,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-321","catch_line":"Payment discharges insurer","history":"1952, c. 317, \u00a7 38.1-346.1; 1986, c. 562.","full_text":"A\n\nAn insurer shall be fully discharged from all claims under a life insurance policy, accident and sickness insurance policy, or annuity contract:1\n\nWhen the proceeds of or payments under a policy or contract become payable in accordance with (i) the terms of the policy or contract or (ii) the exercise of any right or privilege under the contract; and2\n\nIf the insurer makes payments in accordance with the terms of the policy or contract or any written assignment to the person designated in the policy or contract or by assignment as being entitled to the proceeds or payments.B\n\nAn insurer may not be fully discharged from all claims under a life insurance policy, accident and sickness insurance policy, or annuity contract before payment is made and if the insurer has received, at its home office, written notice that some other person claims to be entitled to payment or some interest in the policy or contract.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":220239,"text":"An insurer shall be fully discharged from all claims under a life insurance policy, accident and sickness insurance policy, or annuity contract:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":220240,"text":"When the proceeds of or payments under a policy or contract become payable in accordance with (i) the terms of the policy or contract or (ii) the exercise of any right or privilege under the contract; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":220241,"text":"If the insurer makes payments in accordance with the terms of the policy or contract or any written assignment to the person designated in the policy or contract or by assignment as being entitled to the proceeds or payments.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":220242,"text":"An insurer may not be fully discharged from all claims under a life insurance policy, accident and sickness insurance policy, or annuity contract before payment is made and if the insurer has received, at its home office, written notice that some other person claims to be entitled to payment or some interest in the policy or contract.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13680,"edition_id":1,"name":"Provisions Relating to Insurance Policies and Contracts","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:32","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:32","permalink":{"id":214203,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13680,"identifier":"3","token":"38.2\/3","url":"\/38.2\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67920,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-300","catch_line":"Scope of chapter","url":"\/38.2-300\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-300","metadata":false},{"id":66037,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-301","catch_line":"Insurable interest required; life, accident and sickness insurance","url":"\/38.2-301\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-301","metadata":false},{"id":76812,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-302","catch_line":"Life, accident, and sickness insurance; application required","url":"\/38.2-302\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-302","metadata":false},{"id":58792,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-303","catch_line":"Insurable interest required; property insurance","url":"\/38.2-303\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-303","metadata":false},{"id":79372,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-304","catch_line":"Contracts of temporary insurance; duration; what deemed to include","url":"\/38.2-304\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-304","metadata":false},{"id":68773,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-305","catch_line":"Contents of policies","url":"\/38.2-305\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-305","metadata":false},{"id":76860,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-306","catch_line":"Additional contents","url":"\/38.2-306\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-306","metadata":false},{"id":84098,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-307","catch_line":"Charter and bylaw provisions in policies","url":"\/38.2-307\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-307","metadata":false},{"id":69279,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-308","catch_line":"Contingent liability provisions in policies issued by certain mutual insurers","url":"\/38.2-308\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-308","metadata":false},{"id":65281,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-309","catch_line":"When answers or statements of applicant do not bar recovery on policy","url":"\/38.2-309\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-309","metadata":false},{"id":67536,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-310","catch_line":"All fees, charges, etc., to be stated in policy","url":"\/38.2-310\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-310","metadata":false},{"id":72176,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-311","catch_line":"Type size in which conditions and restrictions to be printed","url":"\/38.2-311\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-311","metadata":false},{"id":75172,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-312","catch_line":"Provisions limiting jurisdiction, or requiring construction of contracts by law of other states, prohibited","url":"\/38.2-312\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-312","metadata":false},{"id":74805,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-313","catch_line":"Where certain contracts deemed made","url":"\/38.2-313\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-313","metadata":false},{"id":56872,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-314","catch_line":"Limitation of action and proof of loss","url":"\/38.2-314\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-314","metadata":false},{"id":69924,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-315","catch_line":"Intervening breach","url":"\/38.2-315\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-315","metadata":false},{"id":60466,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-316","catch_line":"Policy forms to be filed with Commission; notice of approval or disapproval; exceptions","url":"\/38.2-316\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-316","metadata":false},{"id":85582,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-316.1","catch_line":"Premium rates","url":"\/38.2-316.1\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-316.1","metadata":false},{"id":71148,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-316.2","catch_line":"Dental carriers; annual actual loss ratio report","url":"\/38.2-316.2\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-316.2","metadata":false},{"id":77188,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-317","catch_line":"Delivery and use of certain policies and endorsements","url":"\/38.2-317\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-317","metadata":false},{"id":64949,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-318","catch_line":"Validity of noncomplying forms","url":"\/38.2-318\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-318","metadata":false},{"id":67693,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-319","catch_line":"Validity of contracts in violation of law","url":"\/38.2-319\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-319","metadata":false},{"id":71052,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-320","catch_line":"Insurer to furnish forms for proof of loss","url":"\/38.2-320\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-320","metadata":false},{"id":60210,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-321","catch_line":"Payment discharges insurer","url":"\/38.2-321\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-321","metadata":false},{"id":65634,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-322","catch_line":"Standardized claims forms","url":"\/38.2-322\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-322","metadata":false},{"id":54659,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-323","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-323\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-323","metadata":false},{"id":87300,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-324","catch_line":"Disclosure of property damage information","url":"\/38.2-324\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-324","metadata":false},{"id":72048,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-325","catch_line":"Electronic delivery","url":"\/38.2-325\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-325","metadata":false},{"id":55944,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-326","catch_line":"Plan management functions","url":"\/38.2-326\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-326","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":71052,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-320","catch_line":"Insurer to furnish forms for proof of loss","url":"\/38.2-320\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-320","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65634,"structure_id":13680,"section_number":"38.2-322","catch_line":"Standardized claims forms","url":"\/38.2-322\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-322","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-321\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1952. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 317 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1952 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 1986, chapter 562.<\/p>","references":[{"id":67920,"section_number":"38.2-300","catch_line":"Scope of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-300\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":214297,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60210,"identifier":"38.2-321","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-321","url":"\/38.2-321\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-321\/","token":"38.2\/3\/38.2-321","dublin_core":{"Title":"Payment discharges insurer","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-321","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> An <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> shall be fully discharged from all claims under a life <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> policy, accident and sickness <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> policy, or annuity <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span>: <a id=\"paragraph-220239\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-321\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> When the proceeds of or payments under a policy or <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> become payable in accordance with (i) the terms of the policy or <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> or (ii) the exercise of any right or <span class=\"dictionary\">privilege<\/span> under the <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span>; and <a id=\"paragraph-220240\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-321\/#A1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> If the <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> makes payments in accordance with the terms of the policy or <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> or any written assignment to the <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> designated in the policy or <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> or by assignment as being entitled to the proceeds or payments. <a id=\"paragraph-220241\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-321\/#A2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> An <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> may not be fully discharged from all claims under a life <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> policy, accident and sickness <span class=\"dictionary\">insurance<\/span> policy, or annuity <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> before payment is made and if the <span class=\"dictionary\">insurer<\/span> has received, at its home office, written notice that some other <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> claims to be entitled to payment or some interest in the policy or <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-220242\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/38.2-321\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPAYMENT DISCHARGES INSURER (\u00a7 38.2-321)\n\nA. An insurer shall be fully discharged from all claims under a life insurance\npolicy, accident and sickness insurance policy, or annuity contract:\n\n   1. When the proceeds of or payments under a policy or contract become payable\n   in accordance with (i) the terms of the policy or contract or (ii) the\n   exercise of any right or privilege under the contract; and\n\n   2. If the insurer makes payments in accordance with the terms of the policy or\n   contract or any written assignment to the person designated in the policy or\n   contract or by assignment as being entitled to the proceeds or payments.\n\nB. An insurer may not be fully discharged from all claims under a life insurance\npolicy, accident and sickness insurance policy, or annuity contract before\npayment is made and if the insurer has received, at its home office, written\nnotice that some other person claims to be entitled to payment or some interest\nin the policy or contract.\n\nHISTORY: 1952, c. 317, \u00a7 38.1-346.1; 1986, c. 562.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}