New Colorado law requires insurers replace child restraint systems after collision
A Colorado act will require insurance policies to cover the replacement of child restraint systems involved in a collision as of Jan. 1.
The act also requires the insurance company to ask a claimant if a child restraint system was in the vehicle at the time of a collision.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill, HB 25-1179, into law in April. It was introduced in the House in February and passed to the Senate in March before landing on the governor’s desk.
The Colorado Division of Insurance Department of Regulatory Agencies issued a bulletin on the act to issue guidance to insurance companies in August.
The bulletin states that insurance companies should cover the cost of a child restraint system any time a claimant has made a claim under their collision coverage that is applicable and payable, or comprehensive coverage due to collision with an animal that is applicable and payable.
Insurance companies that have accepted liability for the at-fault party’s liability property damage coverage should also cover the cost of the system, the bulletin says. It adds that claims made under uninsured motorist property damage coverage should also include coverage of the systems.
Colorado also passed a law that changes the age and weight requirements for children to be in booster or rear-facing car seats. It is effective Jan. 1.
The Colorado Department of Transportation details the new rules here. It adds that it will launch an awareness campaign regarding the new regulation next month.
“It’s important to remember that car seat fit is highly individualized,” said Trooper Kent Trimbach of the Colorado State Patrol and program coordinator for Car Seats Colorado, in the release. “The fit must be based on the child’s size and developmental stage, not just their age. Ensuring each car seat is properly adjusted and installed is crucial for maximizing safety.”
The release notes that last year in Colorado, 78% of car seats inspected by child passenger safety technicians were not being used correctly or were not installed properly, according to the Child Passenger Safety Board’s National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database.
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