WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 25-1179

Auto Insurance Coverage Child Restraint System

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Bacon and 30 co-sponsors

Colorado auto insurers must cover the replacement cost of child restraint systems damaged in crashes, reimbursing claimants; effective Jan 1, 2026 for new/renewed policies.

Governor Signed
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 25-1179

HB 25-1179 — Auto Insurance Coverage: Child Restraint System

Status: Governor signed (Apr 17, 2025). Effective date: January 1, 2026 (applies to policies issued/renewed and claims filed on or after that date). bill added to Colorado Revised Statutes as 10-4-644.

Main purpose

Require automobile insurers to cover the replacement cost of child restraint systems (car seats/child safety seats) that are in a vehicle and sustain damage in a motor vehicle accident, and to reimburse claimants for replacement cost when applicable.

Key provisions

  • Adds new section 10-4-644 to the Colorado Insurance Code.
  • Coverage requirement: An insurer that issues or renews an automobile insurance policy under Part 6 must include, within the applicable coverage, the replacement cost of a child restraint system that is in the motor vehicle at the time of a motor vehicle accident and to which the policy coverage applies.
  • Claim handling: When a claimant submits a claim for loss from a motor vehicle accident, the insurer must ask whether a child restraint system was in the vehicle at the time of the accident. If so, the applicable policy must pay to replace the child restraint system or reimburse the claimant for replacement cost.
  • Definition: “Child restraint system” is defined by reference to Colorado statute section 42-4-236(1)(a.5) (the statutory definition used for child restraint/seat restraints).

Who is affected

  • Automobile insurers writing or renewing policies in Colorado (must add this coverage for applicable policies).
  • Policyholders and claimants who have child restraint systems in vehicles at the time of an accident.
  • Regulatory bodies: Division of Insurance (Department of Regulatory Agencies) for rule updates, outreach, and complaints; possible legal services from the Department of Law.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Final fiscal note (Legislative Council Staff) projects minimal state workload and minimal potential state revenue impact.
    • Division of Insurance will have a small, ongoing workload to update rules, conduct insurer outreach, and handle complaints.
    • No appropriation required; table in the fiscal note shows $0 net state expenditures and $0 net state revenue, though premium-tax revenue could increase by a minimal amount if insurers raise premiums. Any premium-tax change would be subject to TABOR.

Legislative timeline & status

  • Introduced in House: Feb 10, 2025.
  • Passed House and Senate (no substantive amendments in later readings).
  • Sent to Governor: Apr 8, 2025. Signed by Governor: Apr 17, 2025.
  • Effective Jan 1, 2026, unless a valid referendum suspends enactment pending a public vote.

Sponsors (primary)

  • House: Yara Zokaie; Lisa Feret.
  • Senate: Lindsey Daugherty; Iman Jodeh.

This law ensures families do not bear replacement cost for damaged child restraints after crashes when such replacement is covered under the relevant auto policy.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.