<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>83133</law_id><section_number>38.2-610</section_number><catch_line>Notice of adverse underwriting decision; furnishing reasons for decisions and sources of information</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>38.2-2114</reference><reference>38.2-2212</reference><reference>38.2-608</reference><reference>38.2-617</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="38.2">Insurance</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="6">Insurance Information and Privacy Protection</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Collection, Use, and Dissemination of Information</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> In the event of an adverse underwriting decision, including those that involve policies referred to in subdivision 1 of subsection E of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Grounds and procedure for termination of policy; contents of notice; review by Commissioner; exceptions; immunity from liability" href="/38.2-2114/">38.2-2114</a> and in subdivision 3 of subsection F of &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Grounds and procedure for cancellation of or refusal to renew motor vehicle insurance policies; review by Commissioner" href="/38.2-2212/">38.2-2212</a>, the <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> responsible for the decision shall give a written notice in a form approved by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> that: <a id="paragraph-297897" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Either provides the <span class="dictionary">applicant</span>, <span class="dictionary">policyholder</span>, or <span class="dictionary">individual</span> proposed for coverage with the specific reason or reasons for the adverse underwriting decision in writing or advises such <span class="dictionary">person</span> that upon written request he may receive the specific reason or reasons in writing; and <a id="paragraph-297898" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Provides the <span class="dictionary">applicant</span>, <span class="dictionary">policyholder</span>, or <span class="dictionary">individual</span> proposed for coverage with a summary of the rights established under subsection B of this section and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Access to recorded personal information" href="/38.2-608/">38.2-608</a> and <a class="law" title="Correction, amendment, or deletion of recorded personal information" href="/38.2-609/">38.2-609</a>. <a id="paragraph-297899" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Upon receipt of a written request within ninety business days from the date of the mailing of notice or other communication of an adverse underwriting decision to an <span class="dictionary">applicant</span>, <span class="dictionary">policyholder</span> or <span class="dictionary">individual</span> proposed for coverage, the <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> shall furnish to such <span class="dictionary">person</span> within twenty-one business days from the date of receipt of the written request: <a id="paragraph-297900" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The specific reason or reasons for the adverse underwriting decision, in writing, if that information was not initially furnished in writing pursuant to subdivision 1 of subsection A of this section; <a id="paragraph-297901" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The specific items of personal and <span class="dictionary">privileged information</span> that support those reasons, however:
				a. The <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> shall not be required to furnish specific items of <span class="dictionary">privileged information</span> if it has a reasonable suspicion, based upon specific information available for review by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>, that the <span class="dictionary">applicant</span>, <span class="dictionary">policyholder</span>, or <span class="dictionary">individual</span> proposed for coverage has engaged in criminal activity, <span class="dictionary">fraud</span>, <span class="dictionary">material</span> misrepresentation, or <span class="dictionary">material</span> nondisclosure; and
				b. Specific items of <span class="dictionary">medical-record information</span> supplied by a <span class="dictionary">medical-care institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">medical professional</span> shall be disclosed either directly to the <span class="dictionary">individual</span> about whom the information relates or to a <span class="dictionary">medical professional</span> designated by the <span class="dictionary">individual</span> and licensed to provide medical care with respect to the condition to which the information relates, whichever the <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> prefers; and <a id="paragraph-297902" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The names and addresses of the <span class="dictionary">institutional sources</span> that supplied the specific items of information given pursuant to subdivision 2 of subsection B of this section. However, the identity of any <span class="dictionary">medical professional</span> or <span class="dictionary">medical-care institution</span> shall be disclosed either directly to the <span class="dictionary">individual</span> or to the designated <span class="dictionary">medical professional</span>, whichever the <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> prefers. <a id="paragraph-297903" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The obligations imposed by this section upon an <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> may be satisfied by another <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> authorized to act on its behalf. However, the <span class="dictionary">insurance institution</span> or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> making an adverse underwriting decision shall remain responsible for compliance with the obligations imposed by this section. <a id="paragraph-297904" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> When an adverse underwriting decision results solely from an oral request or inquiry, the explanation of reasons and summary of rights required by subsection A of this section may be given orally. <a id="paragraph-297905" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-610/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1981, c. 389, &#xA7; 38.1-57.13; 1986, c. 562.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
