After six years of attempting to pass a right-to-appraisal bill in Washington state, Justin Lewis and Jeff Butler, both with Washington Independent Collision Repair Association (WICRA), stood smiling next to Gov. Bob Ferguson Tuesday as he signed SB 5721. 

The bill gives policyholders the right to an appraisal to resolve disputes about the actual cash value and amount of loss on a damaged vehicle. It passed the Senate 46-2 and the House 96-1. 

“Senate Bill 5721 makes important changes to laws regulating auto insurance,” Ferguson said just before signing the bill. “This change protects consumers and provides a clear method to resolve valuation disputes without having to hire legal representation. This bill requires every auto insurance policy starting in January to include a right to an appraisal to resolve disputes between the insured and the insurer about the cash value and amount of loss on a damaged automobile.

“In other words, it gives car owners a clear path to address when they believe their property is being undervalued by their insurance company. This bill received overwhelming bipartisan support, and I understand from those who worked really hard on this legislation that it took six years to get to this point. That is not unusual for bills that I sign. I really appreciate the persistence on staying with this. It’s a really important bill.” 

Ferguson also thanked everyone who testified during hearings on the bill and the work of the bill sponsors, Sen. Derek Stanford (D-1) and Rep. Strom Peterson (D-21). 

The bill was amended in the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee to strike language that would’ve required insurance companies to reimburse policyholders for the appraisal process if the loss determined through the process is $500 or more than what the insurance company adjusted.

Stanford told the Senate in April that the amendments were made to address concerns of some stakeholders. 

“It is not everything I would have liked, but I think it is a good step forward for consumer protection,” Stanford said. 

Across the aisle, Sen. Perry Dozier (R-16) also told the Senate he planned to vote for the bill following the amendments. 

“I do believe the House did a good job of making this a palatable bill,” Dozier said. “We will concur.” 

Lewis, WICRA’s president, previously told Repairer Driven News that removing the reimbursement clause was a compromise made with insurance companies lobbying against the original bill language. 

“Any win is a win when it comes to legislation,” Lewis said. “If we can get some victory, it is better than no victory.”

Images

Jeff Butler (left) and Justin Lewis (right), both with Washington Independent Collision Repair Association (WICRA), stand with Gov. Bob Ferguson after he signs SB 5721, on May 20, 2025/screenshot