Rhode IslandInsurers would face an 85% vehicle total-loss threshold
Insurers would use an 85% repair-cost threshold for declaring damaged vehicles total losses, while owners could choose that result at 75%.
What it does
Insurers would not be able to call a damaged vehicle a total loss below 85% of its pre-crash value. Owners could choose that outcome once repairs reach 75%.
Argument forVehicle owners could choose a total-loss settlement sooner when repair costs reach 75% of the vehicle’s pre-damage value.
Argument againstInsurers may face higher repair or settlement costs because they could not declare a total loss until damage reaches 85% of the vehicle’s value.
More detail
Insurers would not be allowed to declare a vehicle a total loss when rebuilding it costs less than 85% of its fair market value. The rule covers motor vehicles damaged in Rhode Island and uses the vehicle’s fair market value immediately before the damage. A vehicle owner could choose to declare the vehicle a total loss when repair costs reach at least 75% but remain below 85% of fair market value. The owner’s choice would not require the insurer to declare a total loss when repair costs are below 85%. The law defines fair market value by reference to a current nationally recognized vehicle-value guide. The act would take effect upon passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2606/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signatureLatest
- Jun 1806/18/2026 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 906/09/2026 House passed in concurrencePassed House
- Vote recorded IN CONCURRENCE. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 806/08/2026 Placed on House Calendar (06/09/2026)Minor
- Jun 806/08/2026 Committee recommends passage in concurrenceMinor
- Jun 606/06/2026 Scheduled for consideration (06/08/2026)
- Jun 406/04/2026 Referred to House CorporationsMinor
- Jun 306/03/2026 Senate read and passedPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- May 2905/29/2026 Placed on Senate Calendar (06/03/2026)Minor
- May 2805/28/2026 Committee recommends passageMinor
- May 2605/26/2026 Scheduled for consideration (05/28/2026)
- May 2105/21/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further studyMinor
- May 1505/15/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/21/2026)
- Mar 1303/13/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate JudiciaryIntroduced
Consumer ProtectionTransportationForeign Policy