{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/29.1-829.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/29.1-829.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/29.1-829.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/29.1-829.html"}],"law_id":357210,"edition_id":2,"section_id":357210,"structure_id":51102,"section_number":"29.1-829","catch_line":"Warranty work; dealers&#8217; requirements; performance of warranty work; disapproval of claims; indemnification","history":"1997, c. 13.","full_text":"A\n\nIf a manufacturer requires or permits a dealer to provide parts or to perform labor to satisfy a warranty created by the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall:\n\n1\n\nProperly and promptly fulfill its warranty obligations; and\n\n2\n\nFairly compensate the dealer for the work and services the dealer is required to perform and for other expenses incurred to comply with a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty. A manufacturer may not pay a dealer a labor rate for warranty work that is less than the lower amount that is charged by the dealer and that is charged in the relevant marketplace to retail customers for non-warranty work of the same kind by similar technicians. However, if the manufacturer or the distributor has in effect a warranty program in which the dealer can comply with reasonable and objective criteria and, as a result, obtain 100 percent of the dealer&#8217;s retail labor rate or the prevailing retail labor rate in the relevant marketplace, the labor rate for warranty work shall be as the terms of the program require, but shall not be less than seventy percent of the dealer&#8217;s labor rate or the prevailing retail labor rate in the relevant marketplace.\n\nB\n\nTo be entitled to compensation from a manufacturer under this subsection, the dealer shall:\n\n1\n\nEmploy watercraft and engine parts expressly authorized by the manufacturer for warranty work;\n\n2\n\nRetain a copy of the manufacturer&#8217;s then current service literature, if any;\n\n3\n\nRecord the warranty work with the manufacturer within forty-five days of completing the warranty work;\n\n4\n\nComplete and maintain for inspection by the manufacturer, a manufacturer&#8217;s delivery checklist signed by the customer for each watercraft or watercraft engine sold by the dealer;\n\n5\n\nPromptly handle all warranty work in accordance with industry standards regardless of the location where the watercraft or watercraft engine was sold; and\n\n6\n\nSubmit warranty registration cards to the manufacturers on a timely basis.\n\nC\n\nTo ensure that warranty work is performed in accordance with industry standards, the dealer shall:\n\n1\n\nTake reasonable steps to ensure that the warranty work is completed by technicians who have received training in servicing the watercraft or engines for watercraft manufactured, imported, or distributed by the manufacturer; and\n\n2\n\nMaintain technician training and development programs authorized or provided by the manufacturer as provided in the dealer&#8217;s agreement with the manufacturer.\n\nD\n\nA dealer shall not charge a consumer for labor or parts on warranty work when the warranty claim has been paid by the manufacturer.\n\nE\n\nAll claims by a dealer for warranty work shall be approved or disapproved and paid, if due, within a reasonable time, but no longer than forty-five days from the date on which the manufacturer receives a properly completed claim form containing all required information.\n\nF\n\nIf a manufacturer disapproves a claim, the manufacturer shall provide the dealer with written notice of disapproval within forty-five days from the date on which the manufacturer receives a properly completed claim form containing all required information. The notice of disapproval shall contain the specific reasons for disapproval.\n\nG\n\nA dealer shall hold harmless the manufacturer for any financial injuries or other damages suffered by the manufacturer and solely as a result of the negligence of the dealer in performing warranty work, including reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees. A manufacturer shall hold harmless the dealer for any financial injuries or other damages suffered by the dealer solely as a result of the negligence of the manufacturer related to the manufacture or design of the watercraft, including reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees.\n\nH\n\nIf a dealer brings a legal action to collect a disapproved claim and is successful in the action, the court shall award the dealer the cost of the action and reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees.\n\nI\n\nThe manufacturer shall compensate the dealer for the cost of parts used in the warranty repair and shipping of the parts to and from the manufacturer, plus a reasonable profit, not less than fifteen percent, on authorized parts stocked by the dealer.\n\nJ\n\nNothing in this article shall inhibit or restrain any manufacturer or dealer from exceeding the minimum requirements of this article.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1329357,"text":"If a manufacturer requires or permits a dealer to provide parts or to perform labor to satisfy a warranty created by the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1329358,"text":"Properly and promptly fulfill its warranty obligations; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1329359,"text":"Fairly compensate the dealer for the work and services the dealer is required to perform and for other expenses incurred to comply with a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty. A manufacturer may not pay a dealer a labor rate for warranty work that is less than the lower amount that is charged by the dealer and that is charged in the relevant marketplace to retail customers for non-warranty work of the same kind by similar technicians. However, if the manufacturer or the distributor has in effect a warranty program in which the dealer can comply with reasonable and objective criteria and, as a result, obtain 100 percent of the dealer&#8217;s retail labor rate or the prevailing retail labor rate in the relevant marketplace, the labor rate for warranty work shall be as the terms of the program require, but shall not be less than seventy percent of the dealer&#8217;s labor rate or the prevailing retail labor rate in the relevant marketplace.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"B"},"3":{"id":1329360,"text":"To be entitled to compensation from a manufacturer under this subsection, the dealer shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B1"},"4":{"id":1329361,"text":"Employ watercraft and engine parts expressly authorized by the manufacturer for warranty work;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"5":{"id":1329362,"text":"Retain a copy of the manufacturer&#8217;s then current service literature, if any;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"6":{"id":1329363,"text":"Record the warranty work with the manufacturer within forty-five days of completing the warranty work;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"7":{"id":1329364,"text":"Complete and maintain for inspection by the manufacturer, a manufacturer&#8217;s delivery checklist signed by the customer for each watercraft or watercraft engine sold by the dealer;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"8":{"id":1329365,"text":"Promptly handle all warranty work in accordance with industry standards regardless of the location where the watercraft or watercraft engine was sold; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"9":{"id":1329366,"text":"Submit warranty registration cards to the manufacturers on a timely basis.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"C"},"10":{"id":1329367,"text":"To ensure that warranty work is performed in accordance with industry standards, the dealer shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"C1"},"11":{"id":1329368,"text":"Take reasonable steps to ensure that the warranty work is completed by technicians who have received training in servicing the watercraft or engines for watercraft manufactured, imported, or distributed by the manufacturer; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"12":{"id":1329369,"text":"Maintain technician training and development programs authorized or provided by the manufacturer as provided in the dealer&#8217;s agreement with the manufacturer.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"13":{"id":1329370,"text":"A dealer shall not charge a consumer for labor or parts on warranty work when the warranty claim has been paid by the manufacturer.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"E"},"14":{"id":1329371,"text":"All claims by a dealer for warranty work shall be approved or disapproved and paid, if due, within a reasonable time, but no longer than forty-five days from the date on which the manufacturer receives a properly completed claim form containing all required information.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"15":{"id":1329372,"text":"If a manufacturer disapproves a claim, the manufacturer shall provide the dealer with written notice of disapproval within forty-five days from the date on which the manufacturer receives a properly completed claim form containing all required information. The notice of disapproval shall contain the specific reasons for disapproval.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"16":{"id":1329373,"text":"A dealer shall hold harmless the manufacturer for any financial injuries or other damages suffered by the manufacturer and solely as a result of the negligence of the dealer in performing warranty work, including reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees. A manufacturer shall hold harmless the dealer for any financial injuries or other damages suffered by the dealer solely as a result of the negligence of the manufacturer related to the manufacture or design of the watercraft, including reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"17":{"id":1329374,"text":"If a dealer brings a legal action to collect a disapproved claim and is successful in the action, the court shall award the dealer the cost of the action and reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"18":{"id":1329375,"text":"The manufacturer shall compensate the dealer for the cost of parts used in the warranty repair and shipping of the parts to and from the manufacturer, plus a reasonable profit, not less than fifteen percent, on authorized parts stocked by the dealer.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"19":{"id":1329376,"text":"Nothing in this article shall inhibit or restrain any manufacturer or dealer from exceeding the minimum requirements of this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51102,"edition_id":2,"name":"Compensation for Watercraft, Motor, and Warranty Work","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":4,"parent_id":51098,"metadata":{"child_laws":2,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:37:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:55","permalink":{"id":1420931,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51102,"identifier":"4","token":"29.1\/8\/4","url":"\/29.1\/8\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51098,"edition_id":2,"name":"Watercraft Dealer Licensing Act","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":14,"parent_id":51066,"metadata":{"child_laws":31,"child_structures":4},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:37:30","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:55","permalink":{"id":1420807,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51098,"identifier":"8","token":"29.1\/8","url":"\/29.1\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51066,"edition_id":2,"name":"Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating","identifier":"29.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":72,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":397,"child_structures":36},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:48","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:51","permalink":{"id":1419279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51066,"identifier":"29.1","token":"29.1","url":"\/29.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":357209,"structure_id":51102,"section_number":"29.1-828","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/29.1-828\/","token":"29.1\/8\/4\/29.1-828","metadata":false},{"id":357210,"structure_id":51102,"section_number":"29.1-829","catch_line":"Warranty work; dealers' requirements; performance of warranty work; disapproval of claims; indemnification","url":"\/29.1-829\/","token":"29.1\/8\/4\/29.1-829","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":357209,"structure_id":51102,"section_number":"29.1-828","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/29.1-828\/","token":"29.1\/8\/4\/29.1-828","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-829\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1997. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0013\">13<\/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":1420937,"object_type":"law","relational_id":357210,"identifier":"29.1-829","token":"29.1\/8\/4\/29.1-829","url":"\/29.1-829\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-829\/","token":"29.1\/8\/4\/29.1-829","dublin_core":{"Title":"Warranty work; dealers&#8217; requirements; performance of warranty work; disapproval of claims; indemnification","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-829","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> If a <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> requires or permits a <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> to provide parts or to perform labor to satisfy a warranty created by the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> shall: <a id=\"paragraph-1329357\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#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> Properly and promptly fulfill its warranty obligations; and <a id=\"paragraph-1329358\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#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> Fairly compensate the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> for the work and services the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> is required to perform and for other expenses incurred to comply with a <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>&#8217;s warranty. A <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> may not pay a <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> a labor rate for warranty work that is less than the lower amount that is charged by the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> and that is charged in the relevant marketplace to retail customers for non-warranty work of the same kind by similar technicians. However, if the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> or the <span class=\"dictionary\">distributor<\/span> has in effect a warranty program in which the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> can comply with reasonable and objective criteria and, as a result, obtain 100 percent of the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span>&#8217;s retail labor rate or the prevailing retail labor rate in the relevant marketplace, the labor rate for warranty work shall be as the terms of the program require, but shall not be less than seventy percent of the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span>&#8217;s labor rate or the prevailing retail labor rate in the relevant marketplace. <a id=\"paragraph-1329359\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#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> To be entitled to compensation from a <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> under this subsection, the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> shall: <a id=\"paragraph-1329360\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Employ <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> and engine parts expressly authorized by the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> for warranty work; <a id=\"paragraph-1329361\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Retain a copy of the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>&#8217;s then current service literature, if any; <a id=\"paragraph-1329362\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> Record the warranty work with the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> within forty-five days of completing the warranty work; <a id=\"paragraph-1329363\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#B3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> Complete and maintain for inspection by the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>, a <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>&#8217;s delivery checklist signed by the customer for each <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> engine sold by the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-1329364\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#B4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> Promptly handle all warranty work in accordance with industry standards regardless of the location where the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> engine was sold; and <a id=\"paragraph-1329365\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#B5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B6\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">6.<\/span> Submit warranty registration cards to the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturers<\/span> on a timely basis. <a id=\"paragraph-1329366\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#B6\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> To ensure that warranty work is performed in accordance with industry standards, the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> shall: <a id=\"paragraph-1329367\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Take reasonable steps to ensure that the warranty work is completed by technicians who have received training in servicing the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> or engines for <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span> manufactured, imported, or distributed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>; and <a id=\"paragraph-1329368\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#C1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Maintain technician training and development programs authorized or provided by the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> as provided in the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span>&#8217;s agreement with the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-1329369\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#C2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> shall not charge a consumer for labor or parts on warranty work when the warranty claim has been paid by the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-1329370\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> All claims by a <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> for warranty work shall be approved or disapproved and paid, if due, within a reasonable time, but no longer than forty-five days from the date on which the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> receives a properly completed claim form containing all required information. <a id=\"paragraph-1329371\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> If a <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> disapproves a claim, the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> shall provide the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> with written notice of disapproval within forty-five days from the date on which the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> receives a properly completed claim form containing all required information. The notice of disapproval shall contain the specific reasons for disapproval. <a id=\"paragraph-1329372\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"G\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">G.<\/span> A <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> shall hold harmless the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> for any financial injuries or other <span class=\"dictionary\">damages<\/span> suffered by the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> and solely as a result of the <span class=\"dictionary\">negligence<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> in performing warranty work, including reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees. A <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> shall hold harmless the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> for any financial injuries or other <span class=\"dictionary\">damages<\/span> suffered by the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> solely as a result of the <span class=\"dictionary\">negligence<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> related to the manufacture or design of the <span class=\"dictionary\">watercraft<\/span>, including reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees. <a id=\"paragraph-1329373\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#G\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"H\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">H.<\/span> If a <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> brings a legal action to collect a disapproved claim and is successful in the action, the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall award the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> the cost of the action and reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees. <a id=\"paragraph-1329374\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#H\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"I\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">I.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> shall compensate the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> for the cost of parts used in the warranty repair and shipping of the parts to and from the <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span>, plus a reasonable profit, not less than fifteen percent, on authorized parts stocked by the <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-1329375\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#I\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"J\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">J.<\/span> Nothing in this article shall inhibit or restrain any <span class=\"dictionary\">manufacturer<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">dealer<\/span> from exceeding the minimum requirements of this article. <a id=\"paragraph-1329376\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-829\/#J\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWARRANTY WORK; DEALERS&#8217; REQUIREMENTS; PERFORMANCE OF WARRANTY WORK;\nDISAPPROVAL OF CLAIMS; INDEMNIFICATION (\u00a7 29.1-829)\n\nA. If a manufacturer requires or permits a dealer to provide parts or to perform\nlabor to satisfy a warranty created by the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall:\n\n   1. Properly and promptly fulfill its warranty obligations; and\n\n   2. Fairly compensate the dealer for the work and services the dealer is\n   required to perform and for other expenses incurred to comply with a\n   manufacturer&#8217;s warranty. A manufacturer may not pay a dealer a labor\n   rate for warranty work that is less than the lower amount that is charged by\n   the dealer and that is charged in the relevant marketplace to retail customers\n   for non-warranty work of the same kind by similar technicians. However, if the\n   manufacturer or the distributor has in effect a warranty program in which the\n   dealer can comply with reasonable and objective criteria and, as a result,\n   obtain 100 percent of the dealer&#8217;s retail labor rate or the prevailing\n   retail labor rate in the relevant marketplace, the labor rate for warranty\n   work shall be as the terms of the program require, but shall not be less than\n   seventy percent of the dealer&#8217;s labor rate or the prevailing retail\n   labor rate in the relevant marketplace.\n\nB. To be entitled to compensation from a manufacturer under this subsection, the\ndealer shall:\n\n   1. Employ watercraft and engine parts expressly authorized by the manufacturer\n   for warranty work;\n\n   2. Retain a copy of the manufacturer&#8217;s then current service literature,\n   if any;\n\n   3. Record the warranty work with the manufacturer within forty-five days of\n   completing the warranty work;\n\n   4. Complete and maintain for inspection by the manufacturer, a\n   manufacturer&#8217;s delivery checklist signed by the customer for each\n   watercraft or watercraft engine sold by the dealer;\n\n   5. Promptly handle all warranty work in accordance with industry standards\n   regardless of the location where the watercraft or watercraft engine was sold;\n   and\n\n   6. Submit warranty registration cards to the manufacturers on a timely basis.\n\nC. To ensure that warranty work is performed in accordance with industry\nstandards, the dealer shall:\n\n   1. Take reasonable steps to ensure that the warranty work is completed by\n   technicians who have received training in servicing the watercraft or engines\n   for watercraft manufactured, imported, or distributed by the manufacturer; and\n\n   2. Maintain technician training and development programs authorized or\n   provided by the manufacturer as provided in the dealer&#8217;s agreement with\n   the manufacturer.\n\nD. A dealer shall not charge a consumer for labor or parts on warranty work when\nthe warranty claim has been paid by the manufacturer.\n\nE. All claims by a dealer for warranty work shall be approved or disapproved and\npaid, if due, within a reasonable time, but no longer than forty-five days from\nthe date on which the manufacturer receives a properly completed claim form\ncontaining all required information.\n\nF. If a manufacturer disapproves a claim, the manufacturer shall provide the\ndealer with written notice of disapproval within forty-five days from the date\non which the manufacturer receives a properly completed claim form containing\nall required information. The notice of disapproval shall contain the specific\nreasons for disapproval.\n\nG. A dealer shall hold harmless the manufacturer for any financial injuries or\nother damages suffered by the manufacturer and solely as a result of the\nnegligence of the dealer in performing warranty work, including reasonable\nattorney&#8217;s fees. A manufacturer shall hold harmless the dealer for any\nfinancial injuries or other damages suffered by the dealer solely as a result of\nthe negligence of the manufacturer related to the manufacture or design of the\nwatercraft, including reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees.\n\nH. If a dealer brings a legal action to collect a disapproved claim and is\nsuccessful in the action, the court shall award the dealer the cost of the\naction and reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees.\n\nI. The manufacturer shall compensate the dealer for the cost of parts used in\nthe warranty repair and shipping of the parts to and from the manufacturer, plus\na reasonable profit, not less than fifteen percent, on authorized parts stocked\nby the dealer.\n\nJ. Nothing in this article shall inhibit or restrain any manufacturer or dealer\nfrom exceeding the minimum requirements of this article.\n\nHISTORY: 1997, c. 13.","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"}}