Rep. Martha Deuter supports HB4160 requiring appraisal options in auto insurance policies

Rep. Martha Deuter (D-45th) cast a Yes vote on HB4160, legislation requiring auto insurance policies to include mandatory appraisal provisions, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026. The Illinois House approved the measure unanimously by a vote of 115-0.

According to the official description, the bill is titled: "AUTO INS-RIGHT TO APPRAISAL."

The following summary interprets the bill’s contents to explain the key provisions and clarifies important aspects of the legislation.

Essentially, the bill modifies the Illinois Insurance Code to require all state automobile insurance policies with first-party physical damage coverage to offer an appraisal option. Either the policyholder or insurer can request appraisal in the event of disagreement over a loss value or settlement offer. The bill details the methods for selecting appraisers and an umpire in cases of disagreement, makes appraisal decisions binding, specifies how costs are divided — including situations where insurers must cover appraisal fees if the award is considerably better for claimants — and permits third-party claimants to utilize the process under similar rules. Insurers that fail to comply could have their licenses revoked. The legislation also creates the Automotive Appraisal Standards Advisory Board to guide rule development and recommend best practices, requiring the board to meet every quarter. The Department of Insurance receives enforcement authority and must publish the advisory board’s recommendations online. The act is scheduled to take effect 90 days following enactment.

The legislative action recorded for HB4160 was 'Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 House Concurs'.

Deuter earned her BSW from Ohio University in 1995.

Elected in 2025, Deuter, a Democrat, represents Illinois' 45th House District, succeeding Jenn Ladisch Douglass in the state House.

In Illinois, bills progress through a multi-step legislative process that begins with introduction, includes committee review and floor debate, and requires votes in both legislative chambers before going to the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a two-year cycle and sees thousands of bills filed each session, with only a subset ultimately passing into law.