{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/51.1-505.01.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/51.1-505.01.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/51.1-505.01.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/51.1-505.01.html"}],"law_id":70590,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70590,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-505.01","catch_line":"Additional accidental death and dismemberment benefits","history":"2001, cc. 685, 690; 2002, c. 313; 2020, cc. 245, 374; 2024, c. 217.","full_text":"The group life, accidental death, and dismemberment insurance coverage purchased by the Board shall include, but not be limited to, the following benefits:\n\nA\n\nIf, as a result of an accident, an insured employee dies at least 75 miles from his principal residence, an additional accidental death benefit shall be paid for the preparation and transportation of the employee to a mortuary. The additional benefit shall be the lesser of the actual cost for such preparation and transportation or $5,000;B\n\nIf an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment as a result of an accident that occurs while the employee is driving or riding in a private passenger vehicle, an additional accidental death or dismemberment benefit shall be paid, provided that (i) the private passenger vehicle is equipped with a safety restraint system; (ii) such safety restraint system was being used properly by the insured employee at the time of the accident, as certified in the official accident report or by the official investigating officer; and (iii) at the time of the accident, the driver of the private passenger vehicle held a current license to operate a private passenger vehicle and was not intoxicated, driving while impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as is defined or determined under applicable law.\n\t\t\tThe additional benefit shall be the lesser of 10 percent of the amount otherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment or $50,000.C\n\nDeath or dismemberment from a felonious assault.1\n\nIf an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment as a result of an accident caused by a felonious assault committed by other than an immediate family member, there shall be paid an additional accidental death or dismemberment benefit equal to the lesser of 25 percent of the amount otherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment or $50,000.2\n\nIn addition, if (i) an insured employee dies as a result of an accident caused by a felonious assault committed by other than an immediate family member, and (ii) such insured employee has a qualifying child at the time of such accident, a college savings trust account under the Commonwealth Savers Plan (§ 23.1-700 et seq.) shall be opened for each qualifying child. The Retirement System shall be the contributor of any such account and shall contribute into the account of each such qualifying child an amount approximately equal to the current average cost, as published by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, of four years of tuition and mandatory fees at baccalaureate public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The qualified beneficiary, as defined in § 23.1-700, shall be the qualifying child on whose behalf such account was opened. Specific benefits of the college savings trust account shall be as defined by the Commonwealth Savers Plan.\n\t\t\t\tDisbursements from a college savings trust account opened under this section shall be governed by procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System in accordance with § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or other applicable federal law, and any other additional procedures as determined by the Board of the Commonwealth Savers Plan. College savings trust account funds shall be payable only for qualified higher education expenses to a post-secondary eligible educational institution. Any funds in a college savings trust account that are not used by a qualifying child before the expiration of the time period for the use of such funds, as determined by the Commonwealth Savers Plan, shall be paid to the Retirement System promptly after the expiration of such period.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":254684,"text":"The group life, accidental death, and dismemberment insurance coverage purchased by the Board shall include, but not be limited to, the following benefits:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"A"},"1":{"id":254685,"text":"If, as a result of an accident, an insured employee dies at least 75 miles from his principal residence, an additional accidental death benefit shall be paid for the preparation and transportation of the employee to a mortuary. The additional benefit shall be the lesser of the actual cost for such preparation and transportation or $5,000;","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"B"},"2":{"id":254686,"text":"If an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment as a result of an accident that occurs while the employee is driving or riding in a private passenger vehicle, an additional accidental death or dismemberment benefit shall be paid, provided that (i) the private passenger vehicle is equipped with a safety restraint system; (ii) such safety restraint system was being used properly by the insured employee at the time of the accident, as certified in the official accident report or by the official investigating officer; and (iii) at the time of the accident, the driver of the private passenger vehicle held a current license to operate a private passenger vehicle and was not intoxicated, driving while impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as is defined or determined under applicable law.\n\t\t\tThe additional benefit shall be the lesser of 10 percent of the amount otherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment or $50,000.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"3":{"id":254687,"text":"Death or dismemberment from a felonious assault.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"4":{"id":254688,"text":"If an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment as a result of an accident caused by a felonious assault committed by other than an immediate family member, there shall be paid an additional accidental death or dismemberment benefit equal to the lesser of 25 percent of the amount otherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment or $50,000.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"5":{"id":254689,"text":"In addition, if (i) an insured employee dies as a result of an accident caused by a felonious assault committed by other than an immediate family member, and (ii) such insured employee has a qualifying child at the time of such accident, a college savings trust account under the Commonwealth Savers Plan (§ 23.1-700 et seq.) shall be opened for each qualifying child. The Retirement System shall be the contributor of any such account and shall contribute into the account of each such qualifying child an amount approximately equal to the current average cost, as published by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, of four years of tuition and mandatory fees at baccalaureate public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The qualified beneficiary, as defined in § 23.1-700, shall be the qualifying child on whose behalf such account was opened. Specific benefits of the college savings trust account shall be as defined by the Commonwealth Savers Plan.\n\t\t\t\tDisbursements from a college savings trust account opened under this section shall be governed by procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System in accordance with § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or other applicable federal law, and any other additional procedures as determined by the Board of the Commonwealth Savers Plan. College savings trust account funds shall be payable only for qualified higher education expenses to a post-secondary eligible educational institution. Any funds in a college savings trust account that are not used by a qualifying child before the expiration of the time period for the use of such funds, as determined by the Commonwealth Savers Plan, shall be paid to the Retirement System promptly after the expiration of such period.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13932,"edition_id":1,"name":"Group Insurance Program","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12947,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:20","permalink":{"id":236069,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13932,"identifier":"5","token":"51.1\/5","url":"\/51.1\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12947,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement","identifier":"51.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":235029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12947,"identifier":"51.1","token":"51.1","url":"\/51.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":86887,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/51.1-500\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-500","metadata":false},{"id":84578,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-501","catch_line":"Board authorized to purchase group life and accident insurance policies","url":"\/51.1-501\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-501","metadata":false},{"id":63115,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-502","catch_line":"Eligible employees and officers","url":"\/51.1-502\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-502","metadata":false},{"id":83648,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-502.1","catch_line":"Certain employees of teaching hospitals","url":"\/51.1-502.1\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-502.1","metadata":false},{"id":59497,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-502.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/51.1-502.2\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-502.2","metadata":false},{"id":72342,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-502.3","catch_line":"Certain employees of the Virginia Port Authority","url":"\/51.1-502.3\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-502.3","metadata":false},{"id":76893,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-503","catch_line":"Limitation on coverage","url":"\/51.1-503\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-503","metadata":false},{"id":69960,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-504","catch_line":"Election of political subdivision to participate; approval by Board","url":"\/51.1-504\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-504","metadata":false},{"id":86868,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-505","catch_line":"Amounts of life and accident insurance for each employee; reduction and termination of insurance","url":"\/51.1-505\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-505","metadata":false},{"id":70590,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-505.01","catch_line":"Additional accidental death and dismemberment benefits","url":"\/51.1-505.01\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-505.01","metadata":false},{"id":55772,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-506","catch_line":"Employee contributions; payroll deductions; effect of failure to deduct","url":"\/51.1-506\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-506","metadata":false},{"id":60994,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-507","catch_line":"Notice of desire not to be insured","url":"\/51.1-507\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-507","metadata":false},{"id":55089,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-508","catch_line":"Employer contributions","url":"\/51.1-508\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-508","metadata":false},{"id":57511,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-509","catch_line":"Keeping records and furnishing information required by Board","url":"\/51.1-509\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-509","metadata":false},{"id":81121,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-510","catch_line":"Insurance exempt from process","url":"\/51.1-510\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-510","metadata":false},{"id":78151,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-511","catch_line":"Persons entitled to payment of insurance on employee's death","url":"\/51.1-511\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-511","metadata":false},{"id":78798,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-512","catch_line":"Optional life insurance","url":"\/51.1-512\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-512","metadata":false},{"id":65711,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-512.1","catch_line":"Optional life insurance for the spouse and minor dependents of employees","url":"\/51.1-512.1\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-512.1","metadata":false},{"id":86106,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-513","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/51.1-513\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-513","metadata":false},{"id":68495,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-513.1","catch_line":"Long-term care insurance","url":"\/51.1-513.1\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-513.1","metadata":false},{"id":80264,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-513.2","catch_line":"Long-term care coverage program","url":"\/51.1-513.2\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-513.2","metadata":false},{"id":57791,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-513.3","catch_line":"Long-term care insurance program for employees of local governments, local officers, and teachers","url":"\/51.1-513.3\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-513.3","metadata":false},{"id":72025,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-513.4","catch_line":"Trust fund for long-term care programs","url":"\/51.1-513.4\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-513.4","metadata":false},{"id":54987,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-514","catch_line":"Policies to provide for accounting to Board; advance premium deposit reserve","url":"\/51.1-514\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-514","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":86868,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-505","catch_line":"Amounts of life and accident insurance for each employee; reduction and termination of insurance","url":"\/51.1-505\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-505","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55772,"structure_id":13932,"section_number":"51.1-506","catch_line":"Employee contributions; payroll deductions; effect of failure to deduct","url":"\/51.1-506\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-506","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/51.1-505.01\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2001. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 685<\/a> and 690<\/a> 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. It has been modified 3 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 2002, chapter 313<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 245<\/a> and 374<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 217<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":66160,"section_number":"23.1-700","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-700\/"}],"permalink":{"id":236107,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70590,"identifier":"51.1-505.01","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-505.01","url":"\/51.1-505.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/51.1-505.01\/","token":"51.1\/5\/51.1-505.01","dublin_core":{"Title":"Additional accidental death and dismemberment benefits","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 51.1-505.01","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The group life, accidental death, and dismemberment<\/span> insurance coverage purchased by the Board<\/span> shall include, but not be limited to, the following benefits:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> If, as a result of an accident<\/span>, an insured employee dies at least 75 miles from his principal residence, an additional accidental death benefit shall be paid for the preparation and transportation of the employee to a mortuary. The additional benefit shall be the lesser of the actual cost for such preparation and transportation or $5,000; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment<\/span> as a result of an accident<\/span> that occurs while the employee is driving or riding in a private passenger vehicle, an additional accidental death or dismemberment<\/span> benefit shall be paid, provided that (i) the private passenger vehicle is equipped with a safety restraint system<\/span>; (ii) such safety restraint system<\/span> was being used properly by the insured employee at the time of the accident<\/span>, as certified in the official accident<\/span> report or by the official investigating officer; and (iii) at the time of the accident<\/span>, the driver of the private passenger vehicle held a current license to operate a private passenger vehicle and was not intoxicated, driving while impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as is defined or determined under applicable law<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe additional benefit shall be the lesser of 10 percent of the amount otherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment<\/span> or $50,000. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Death or dismemberment<\/span> from a felonious assault<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> If an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment<\/span> as a result of an accident<\/span> caused by a felonious assault<\/span> committed by other than an immediate family member<\/span>, there shall be paid an additional accidental death or dismemberment<\/span> benefit equal to the lesser of 25 percent of the amount otherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment<\/span> or $50,000. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In addition, if (i) an insured employee dies as a result of an accident<\/span> caused by a felonious assault<\/span> committed by other than an immediate family member<\/span>, and (ii) such insured employee has a qualifying child<\/span> at the time of such accident<\/span>, a college savings trust account<\/span> under the Commonwealth Savers Plan (§ 23.1-700<\/a> et seq.) shall be opened for each qualifying child<\/span>. The Retirement System<\/span> shall be the contributor<\/span> of any such account and shall contribute into the account of each such qualifying child<\/span> an amount approximately equal to the current average cost, as published by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, of four years of tuition and mandatory fees at baccalaureate public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The qualified beneficiary, as defined in § 23.1-700<\/a>, shall be the qualifying child<\/span> on whose behalf such account was opened. Specific benefits of the college savings trust account<\/span> shall be as defined by the Commonwealth Savers Plan.\n\t\t\t\tDisbursements from a college savings trust account<\/span> opened under this section shall be governed by procedures adopted by the Board<\/span> of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System<\/span> in accordance with § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or other applicable federal law<\/span>, and any other additional procedures as determined by the Board<\/span> of the Commonwealth Savers Plan. College savings trust account<\/span> funds shall be payable only for qualified higher education expenses<\/span> to a post-secondary eligible educational institution<\/span>. Any funds in a college savings trust account<\/span> that are not used by a qualifying child<\/span> before the expiration of the time period for the use of such funds, as determined by the Commonwealth Savers Plan, shall be paid to the Retirement System<\/span> promptly after the expiration of such period. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADDITIONAL ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT BENEFITS (\u00a7 51.1-505.01)\n\nThe group life, accidental death, and dismemberment insurance coverage purchased\nby the Board shall include, but not be limited to, the following benefits:\n\nA. If, as a result of an accident, an insured employee dies at least 75 miles\nfrom his principal residence, an additional accidental death benefit shall be\npaid for the preparation and transportation of the employee to a mortuary. The\nadditional benefit shall be the lesser of the actual cost for such preparation\nand transportation or $5,000;\n\nB. If an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment as a result of an\naccident that occurs while the employee is driving or riding in a private\npassenger vehicle, an additional accidental death or dismemberment benefit shall\nbe paid, provided that (i) the private passenger vehicle is equipped with a\nsafety restraint system; (ii) such safety restraint system was being used\nproperly by the insured employee at the time of the accident, as certified in\nthe official accident report or by the official investigating officer; and (iii)\nat the time of the accident, the driver of the private passenger vehicle held a\ncurrent license to operate a private passenger vehicle and was not intoxicated,\ndriving while impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as is defined\nor determined under applicable law.\n\t\t\tThe additional benefit shall be the lesser of 10 percent of the amount\notherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment or $50,000.\n\nC. Death or dismemberment from a felonious assault.\n\n 1. If an insured employee dies or suffers a dismemberment as a result of an\n accident caused by a felonious assault committed by other than an immediate\n family member, there shall be paid an additional accidental death or\n dismemberment benefit equal to the lesser of 25 percent of the amount\n otherwise payable due to such accidental death or dismemberment or $50,000.\n\n 2. In addition, if (i) an insured employee dies as a result of an accident\n caused by a felonious assault committed by other than an immediate family\n member, and (ii) such insured employee has a qualifying child at the time of\n such accident, a college savings trust account under the Commonwealth Savers\n Plan (§ 23.1-700 et seq.) shall be opened for each qualifying child. The\n Retirement System shall be the contributor of any such account and shall\n contribute into the account of each such qualifying child an amount\n approximately equal to the current average cost, as published by the State\n Council of Higher Education for Virginia, of four years of tuition and\n mandatory fees at baccalaureate public institutions of higher education in the\n Commonwealth. The qualified beneficiary, as defined in § 23.1-700, shall\n be the qualifying child on whose behalf such account was opened. Specific\n benefits of the college savings trust account shall be as defined by the\n Commonwealth Savers Plan.\n \t\t\t\tDisbursements from a college savings trust account opened under this\n section shall be governed by procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of\n the Virginia Retirement System in accordance with § 529 of the Internal\n Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or other applicable federal law, and any\n other additional procedures as determined by the Board of the Commonwealth\n Savers Plan. College savings trust account funds shall be payable only for\n qualified higher education expenses to a post-secondary eligible educational\n institution. Any funds in a college savings trust account that are not used by\n a qualifying child before the expiration of the time period for the use of\n such funds, as determined by the Commonwealth Savers Plan, shall be paid to\n the Retirement System promptly after the expiration of such period.\n\nHISTORY: 2001, cc. 685, 690; 2002, c. 313; 2020, cc. 245, 374; 2024, c. 217.","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}}