# DC DISB Bulletin 25-IB-001-08/12: Depreciation of Labor in Property Insurance Policies

> District of Columbia · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DC_INS_B_25_IB_001_08_12

## Section

- **Citation:** DC DISB Bulletin 25-IB-001-08/12
- **Heading:** Depreciation of Labor in Property Insurance Policies
- **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DC DISB Insurance Bulletins and Notices / Depreciation of Labor in Property Insurance Policies

## Text

District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
1050 First Street NE, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20002 • 202.727.8000 • disb@dc.gov • DISB.dc.gov

BULLETIN 25-IB-001-08/12

TO:
All Property and Casualty Insurance Companies Licensed to Do Business
in the District of Columbia

FROM:
Karima M. Woods, Commissioner

RE:
Depreciation of Labor in Property Insurance Policies

DATE:
August 11, 2025

The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (the
“Department”) is issuing this bulletin to address the depreciation of labor expenses and
other nontangible items in the definition of “actual cash value” (ACV) in property
insurance policies.

The basic objective in property insurance claims is to restore an insured to the same
financial position after the loss as they were prior to the damaging event. This means the
cost to repair or replace the damaged property with material of like kind and quality that
was damaged, less depreciation of the property. Depreciation is a decline in a property’s
value because of use, wear, obsolescence, or age. Labor, unlike physical materials, does
not lose value or break down over time. The practice of depreciating labor expenses on
property damage claims float a significant part of the labor repair costs to the consumer.
This unfairly shifts the burden to the consumer during the repair process.

This Department considers the depreciation of labor and other nontangible items in the
definition of ACV to be an unfair claims settlement practice pursuant to D.C. Code § 31–
2231.17(b)(6). For the purposes of this Bulletin, nontangible items are defined as labor,
taxes, fees, and overhead and profit.

For the reasons stated above, the Department will not approve any policy form with language
that allows for depreciation of labor
on of labor and other nontangible items in the
definition of ACV to be an unfair claims settlement practice pursuant to D.C. Code § 31–
2231.17(b)(6). For the purposes of this Bulletin, nontangible items are defined as labor,
taxes, fees, and overhead and profit.

For the reasons stated above, the Department will not approve any policy form with language
that allows for depreciation of labor.

Any questions or concerns regarding this Bulletin may be directed to the Insurance Bureau
of the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking by email at
insurance.bureau@dc.gov or by phone at 202.727.8000.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/DC_INS_B_25_IB_001_08_12. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
