The Washington Senate passed a right-to-appraisal bill Tuesday, sending it to Gov. Bob Ferguson to sign off on. 

SB5721 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 with a 46-2 vote. 

The bill previously passed the Senate with a 29-20 vote March 7 but was amended in the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee. The amended bill passed the House with a 96-1 vote April 14, where it was sent back to the Senate. 

The amended bill strikes language that would’ve required the 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.

Sen. Derek Standford (D-1) told the Senate that the amendments were made to address concerns for 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.” 

If signed by the governor, all automotive insurance policies issued or renewed Jan. 1, 2026 or after must include an appraisal provision. 

Ferguson has 20 days to sign the bill since it was delivered with less than five calendar days before the end of the regular session on Sunday. 

Justin Lewis, president of the Washington Independent Collision Repair Association (WICRA), previously told Repairer Driven News that the removal of 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.”

Collision repair and insurance industry constituents struck a similar agreement on the mandatory right to appraisal in Texas at the end of March. During a Senate Committee on Business and Commerce hearing, five organizations and two business owners spoke in support of SB 458. The bill is one of two similar appraisal bills in Texas that have been proposed.

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Feature image of Sen. Derek Standford (D-1) speaking on the Washington Senate floor April 22/screenshot