Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-192) is calling for a law to force private auto insurance companies to provide coverage for lost or damaged catalytic converters.
In a House memorandum released Monday, Cephas referred to her bill as “important legislation to help crime victims.”
“My bill will require insurers to cover the replacement or repair of a lost or damaged catalytic converter,” the memorandum said. “This is important so that victims of these crimes do not have the additional stress of needing to pay out of pocket to replace the converter if their insurance does not cover it.”
Cephas referred to an increase in catalytic converter thefts, noting that the metals in the converters “are extremely valuable and make the converters ripe targets for thieves.”
Many insurance companies already offer coverage for catalytic converter theft and various private companies offer anti-theft services and products to help car owners prevent theft.
Cephas’ bill would introduce more government manipulation into the auto insurance industry, potentially leading to increased auto insurance premiums for policy holders who do not want catalytic converter theft coverage.
