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Bill

HB 1253

Property insurance; use of aerial or satellite imagery.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Glass

HB 1253 establishes Virginia regulations governing insurers' use of aerial and satellite imagery in property underwriting, claims, and rating decisions.

Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1
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Bill Summary · HB 1253

Legislative bill overview

HB 1253 regulates how property insurers in Virginia can use aerial and satellite imagery in underwriting, claims assessment, and rate-setting decisions. The bill establishes parameters around data collection, use, and transparency requirements for insurers employing these technologies to evaluate properties.

Why is this important

Property insurance rates and coverage decisions increasingly rely on remote imaging technology that can assess roof condition, property maintenance, and risk factors without in-person inspection. Clear regulations protect homeowners from potential misuse of this data while balancing insurers' legitimate need for accurate risk assessment in a competitive market facing significant claims from weather events.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Defining what aerial/satellite data collection is permissible and whether homeowners should be notified when their properties are imaged for insurance purposes
  • Rate equity: Whether imagery-based assessments create disparities across neighborhoods or unfairly penalize property owners for minor maintenance issues visible from above
  • Insurer compliance costs: Requirements for data validation, transparency disclosures, and record-keeping could increase operational expenses that may be passed to consumers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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