{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/38.2-518.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/38.2-518.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/38.2-518.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/38.2-518.html"}],"law_id":362823,"edition_id":2,"section_id":362823,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-518","catch_line":"Certificates of insurance","history":"2012, cc. 273, 277.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, “certificate of insurance” means a document, regardless of how titled or described, that is provided to a third party and is prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as a statement or summary of an insured’s property or casualty insurance coverage. The term does not include any (i) policy of insurance, (ii) insurance binder, (iii) policy endorsement, (iv) automobile identification card, (v) certificate issued under a group or master policy, or (vi) evidence of coverage provided to a lender in a lending transaction involving a mortgage, lien, deed of trust, or other security interest in or on any real or personal property.\n\nB\n\nNo person shall issue or deliver any certificate of insurance that attempts to confer any rights upon a third party beyond what the referenced policy of insurance expressly provides.\n\nC\n\nNo certificate of insurance may represent an insurer’s obligation to give notice of cancellation or nonrenewal to a third party unless the giving of such notice is required by the policy.\n\nD\n\nNo person shall issue or deliver a certificate of insurance unless it contains a substantially similar statement to the following: “This certificate of insurance is issued as a matter of information only. It confers no rights upon the third party requesting the certificate beyond what the referenced policy of insurance expressly provides. This certificate of insurance does not extend, amend, or alter the coverage, terms, exclusions, or conditions afforded by the policy referenced in this certificate of insurance.” If a certificate of insurance is required by a state or federal agency and accurately reflects the coverage provided by the underlying policies, no such statement is required.\n\nE\n\nNo person shall knowingly demand or require the issuance of a certificate of insurance from an insurer, insurance producer, or policyholder that contains any false or misleading information concerning the policy of insurance to which the certificate makes reference.\n\nF\n\nNo person shall knowingly prepare or issue a certificate of insurance that contains any false or misleading information or that purports to affirmatively or negatively alter, amend, or extend the coverage provided by the policy of insurance to which the certificate makes reference.\n\nG\n\nThe provisions of this section shall apply to all certificate holders, policyholders, insurers, insurance producers, and certificate of insurance forms issued as a statement or summary of insurance coverages on property, operations, or risks located in the Commonwealth.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1351359,"text":"As used in this section, “certificate of insurance” means a document, regardless of how titled or described, that is provided to a third party and is prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as a statement or summary of an insured’s property or casualty insurance coverage. The term does not include any (i) policy of insurance, (ii) insurance binder, (iii) policy endorsement, (iv) automobile identification card, (v) certificate issued under a group or master policy, or (vi) evidence of coverage provided to a lender in a lending transaction involving a mortgage, lien, deed of trust, or other security interest in or on any real or personal property.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1351360,"text":"No person shall issue or deliver any certificate of insurance that attempts to confer any rights upon a third party beyond what the referenced policy of insurance expressly provides.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1351361,"text":"No certificate of insurance may represent an insurer’s obligation to give notice of cancellation or nonrenewal to a third party unless the giving of such notice is required by the policy.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1351362,"text":"No person shall issue or deliver a certificate of insurance unless it contains a substantially similar statement to the following: “This certificate of insurance is issued as a matter of information only. It confers no rights upon the third party requesting the certificate beyond what the referenced policy of insurance expressly provides. This certificate of insurance does not extend, amend, or alter the coverage, terms, exclusions, or conditions afforded by the policy referenced in this certificate of insurance.” If a certificate of insurance is required by a state or federal agency and accurately reflects the coverage provided by the underlying policies, no such statement is required.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1351363,"text":"No person shall knowingly demand or require the issuance of a certificate of insurance from an insurer, insurance producer, or policyholder that contains any false or misleading information concerning the policy of insurance to which the certificate makes reference.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":1351364,"text":"No person shall knowingly prepare or issue a certificate of insurance that contains any false or misleading information or that purports to affirmatively or negatively alter, amend, or extend the coverage provided by the policy of insurance to which the certificate makes reference.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":1351365,"text":"The provisions of this section shall apply to all certificate holders, policyholders, insurers, insurance producers, and certificate of insurance forms issued as a statement or summary of insurance coverages on property, operations, or risks located in the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51791,"edition_id":2,"name":"Unfair Trade Practices","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":51644,"metadata":{"child_laws":28,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:48:50","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:56","permalink":{"id":1444477,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51791,"identifier":"5","token":"38.2\/5","url":"\/38.2\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51644,"edition_id":2,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":88,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1890,"child_structures":173},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:45:30","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:55","permalink":{"id":1437663,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51644,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":362751,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-500","catch_line":"Declaration of purpose","url":"\/38.2-500\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":362767,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-501","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/38.2-501\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":362779,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-502","catch_line":"Misrepresentations and false advertising of insurance policies","url":"\/38.2-502\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":362783,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-503","catch_line":"False information and advertising generally","url":"\/38.2-503\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":362784,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-504","catch_line":"Defamation","url":"\/38.2-504\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-504","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":362785,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-505","catch_line":"Boycott, coercion and intimidation","url":"\/38.2-505\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":362786,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-506","catch_line":"False statements and entries","url":"\/38.2-506\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":362787,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-507","catch_line":"Stock operations and advisory board contracts","url":"\/38.2-507\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":362793,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-508","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination","url":"\/38.2-508\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":362788,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-508.1","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination; members of the armed forces","url":"\/38.2-508.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.1","metadata":false},{"id":362789,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-508.2","catch_line":"Discrimination prohibited","url":"\/38.2-508.2\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.2","metadata":false},{"id":362790,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-508.3","catch_line":"Consideration of Medicaid eligibility prohibited","url":"\/38.2-508.3\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.3","metadata":false},{"id":362791,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-508.4","catch_line":"Genetic information privacy","url":"\/38.2-508.4\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.4","metadata":false},{"id":362792,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-508.5","catch_line":"Re-underwriting individual under existing group or individual accident and sickness insurance policy prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/38.2-508.5\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-508.5","metadata":false},{"id":362794,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-509","catch_line":"Rebates","url":"\/38.2-509\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":362795,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-510","catch_line":"Unfair claim settlement practices","url":"\/38.2-510\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":362806,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-511","catch_line":"Failure to maintain record of complaints","url":"\/38.2-511\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":362813,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-512","catch_line":"Misrepresentation in insurance documents or communications","url":"\/38.2-512\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":362815,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-513","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-513\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":362814,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-513.1","catch_line":"Insurance sales by depository institutions and other lending institutions","url":"\/38.2-513.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-513.1","metadata":false},{"id":362818,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-514","catch_line":"Failure to make disclosure","url":"\/38.2-514\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":362816,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-514.1","catch_line":"Disclosure required","url":"\/38.2-514.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-514.1","metadata":false},{"id":362817,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-514.2","catch_line":"Disclosures required of motor vehicle rental contract insurance agents and enrollers","url":"\/38.2-514.2\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-514.2","metadata":false},{"id":362820,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-515","catch_line":"Power of Commission","url":"\/38.2-515\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":362819,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-515.1","catch_line":"Power of Commission; policies issued outside of the Commonwealth","url":"\/38.2-515.1\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-515.1","metadata":false},{"id":362821,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-516","catch_line":"Prohibited compensation for intra-company replacement","url":"\/38.2-516\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":362822,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-517","catch_line":"Unfair settlement practices; replacement and repair; penalty","url":"\/38.2-517\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":362823,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-518","catch_line":"Certificates of insurance","url":"\/38.2-518\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-518","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":362822,"structure_id":51791,"section_number":"38.2-517","catch_line":"Unfair settlement practices; replacement and repair; penalty","url":"\/38.2-517\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-517","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-518\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2012. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 273<\/a> and 277<\/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.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1444587,"object_type":"law","relational_id":362823,"identifier":"38.2-518","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-518","url":"\/38.2-518\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-518\/","token":"38.2\/5\/38.2-518","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certificates of insurance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-518","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, “certificate of insurance<\/span>” means a document, regardless of how titled or described, that is provided to a third party<\/span> and is prepared or issued by an insurer<\/span> or insurance producer as a statement or summary of an insured’s property or casualty insurance coverage. The term does not include any (i) policy of insurance, (ii) insurance binder, (iii) policy endorsement, (iv) automobile identification card, (v) certificate issued under a group or master policy, or (vi) evidence<\/span> of coverage provided to a lender in a lending transaction involving a mortgage, lien<\/span>, deed of trust, or other security interest in or on any real or personal property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No person<\/span> shall issue<\/span> or deliver any certificate of insurance<\/span> that attempts to confer any rights upon a third party<\/span> beyond what the referenced policy of insurance expressly provides. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No certificate of insurance<\/span> may represent an insurer<\/span>’s obligation to give notice of cancellation or nonrenewal to a third party<\/span> unless the giving of such notice is required by the policy. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No person<\/span> shall issue<\/span> or deliver a certificate of insurance<\/span> unless it contains a substantially similar statement to the following: “This certificate of insurance<\/span> is issued as a matter of information only. It confers no rights upon the third party<\/span> requesting the certificate beyond what the referenced policy of insurance expressly provides. This certificate of insurance<\/span> does not extend, amend<\/span>, or alter the coverage, terms, exclusions, or conditions afforded by the policy referenced in this certificate of insurance<\/span>.” If a certificate of insurance<\/span> is required by a state<\/span> or federal agency and accurately reflects the coverage provided by the underlying policies, no such statement is required. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> No person<\/span> shall knowingly demand or require the issuance of a certificate of insurance<\/span> from an insurer<\/span>, insurance producer, or policyholder that contains any false or misleading information concerning the policy of insurance to which the certificate makes reference. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> No person<\/span> shall knowingly prepare or issue<\/span> a certificate of insurance<\/span> that contains any false or misleading information or that purports to affirmatively or negatively alter, amend<\/span>, or extend the coverage provided by the policy of insurance to which the certificate makes reference. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall apply to all certificate holders, policyholders, insurers<\/span>, insurance producers, and certificate of insurance<\/span> forms issued as a statement or summary of insurance coverages on property, operations, or risks located in the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE (\u00a7 38.2-518)\n\nA. As used in this section, “certificate of insurance” means a\ndocument, regardless of how titled or described, that is provided to a third\nparty and is prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as a\nstatement or summary of an insured’s property or casualty insurance\ncoverage. The term does not include any (i) policy of insurance, (ii) insurance\nbinder, (iii) policy endorsement, (iv) automobile identification card, (v)\ncertificate issued under a group or master policy, or (vi) evidence of coverage\nprovided to a lender in a lending transaction involving a mortgage, lien, deed\nof trust, or other security interest in or on any real or personal property.\n\nB. No person shall issue or deliver any certificate of insurance that attempts\nto confer any rights upon a third party beyond what the referenced policy of\ninsurance expressly provides.\n\nC. No certificate of insurance may represent an insurer’s obligation to\ngive notice of cancellation or nonrenewal to a third party unless the giving of\nsuch notice is required by the policy.\n\nD. No person shall issue or deliver a certificate of insurance unless it\ncontains a substantially similar statement to the following: “This\ncertificate of insurance is issued as a matter of information only. It confers\nno rights upon the third party requesting the certificate beyond what the\nreferenced policy of insurance expressly provides. This certificate of insurance\ndoes not extend, amend, or alter the coverage, terms, exclusions, or conditions\nafforded by the policy referenced in this certificate of insurance.” If a\ncertificate of insurance is required by a state or federal agency and accurately\nreflects the coverage provided by the underlying policies, no such statement is\nrequired.\n\nE. No person shall knowingly demand or require the issuance of a certificate of\ninsurance from an insurer, insurance producer, or policyholder that contains any\nfalse or misleading information concerning the policy of insurance to which the\ncertificate makes reference.\n\nF. No person shall knowingly prepare or issue a certificate of insurance that\ncontains any false or misleading information or that purports to affirmatively\nor negatively alter, amend, or extend the coverage provided by the policy of\ninsurance to which the certificate makes reference.\n\nG. The provisions of this section shall apply to all certificate holders,\npolicyholders, insurers, insurance producers, and certificate of insurance forms\nissued as a statement or summary of insurance coverages on property, operations,\nor risks located in the Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 2012, cc. 273, 277.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}