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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>356407</law_id><section_number>27-85.5</section_number><catch_line>Disclosure of information</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><referred_to_by><reference>27-85.6</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="68" identifier="27">Fire Protection</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="6" identifier="6">Department of State Police; Public Building Safety Law; Arson Reporting Immunity Act</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="3" identifier="3">Arson Reporting Immunity Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any authorized agency may, in writing, require an <span class="dictionary">insurance company</span> to release to the requesting agency any or all relevant information or <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> deemed <span class="dictionary">material</span> by the requesting agency in the <span class="dictionary">insurance company</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">possession</span> relating to the fire loss in question. Relevant information may include, but shall not be limited to: <a id="paragraph-1326877" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Pertinent insurance policy information relevant to a fire loss under investigation and any application for such a policy; <a id="paragraph-1326878" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Policy premium payment records; <a id="paragraph-1326879" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> History of previous claims made by the insured; <a id="paragraph-1326880" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> <span class="dictionary">Material</span> relating to the investigation of the loss, including statements of any person, proof of loss, and any other <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> relevant to the investigation. <a id="paragraph-1326881" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> 1. When an <span class="dictionary">insurance company</span> has reason to believe that a fire loss in which it has an interest may be of other than accidental cause, then, for the purpose of notification and for having such fire loss investigated, the company shall, in writing, notify an authorized agency and provide it with any or all <span class="dictionary">material</span> developed from the company&#x2019;s inquiry into the fire loss. <a id="paragraph-1326882" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> When an <span class="dictionary">insurance company</span> provides any one of the authorized agencies with notice of a fire loss, it shall be sufficient notice for the purpose of this article. <a id="paragraph-1326883" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The authorized agency provided with information pursuant to subsections A or B of this section and in furtherance of its own purposes, may release or provide such information to any of the other authorized agencies. <a id="paragraph-1326884" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">insurance company</span> providing information to an authorized agency or agencies pursuant to subsections A or B of this section shall have the right to request relevant information and receive, within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty days, the information requested. <a id="paragraph-1326885" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">insurance company</span>, or person acting in its behalf or authorized agency who releases information, whether oral or written, pursuant to subsections A or B of this section shall be immune from any liability arising out of a <span class="dictionary">civil action</span>, or <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> resulting from a criminal <span class="dictionary">prosecution</span> unless actual <span class="dictionary">malice</span> on the part of the <span class="dictionary">insurance company</span> or authorized agency is present. <a id="paragraph-1326886" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/27-85.5/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1979, c. 279.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
