DENVER-
Senate Republicans have criticized a bill that would raise auto insurance premiums by an estimated $200 a year, saying it would erase much of the savings consumers received when the state switched from no-fault to a tort system.
“Its a billion-dollar cost-shift,” said Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock.
The measure (Senate Bill 193) won approval in the Senate Local Government Committee on Thursday.
It would require Colorado motorists to buy additional coverage over what already is mandated by law in order to cover medical costs. It now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, said the bill is needed to protect trauma care providers, especially small, rural paramedics services, which she said sometimes are left waiting for payments after treating auto-accident victims.
The bill was amended by the committee to allow consumers to opt out of the extra coverage, but opponents said that wont be of much help because most motorists won’t know they have the right to opt out.
The measure would require Colorado drivers to buy $25,000 worth of coverage for all “medically necessary and accident-related health care expenses for bodily injury” and $25,000 for all “rehabilitation, treatments or occupational training for five years after an accident.”
Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, said the bill double-charges the public because more than 80 percent of Coloradans have health insurance, which would cover trauma care and rehabilitation for their auto injuries.
“The bill not only jacks up auto premiums but forces us to pay for something the vast majority of us already get,” he said.
