AB 646: Insurance: warranty: catalytic converter.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Under existing law, a warranty issued by the warrantor of a vehicle protection product constitutes an express warranty and does not constitute automobile insurance if the warrantor complies with various requirements, including that the warranty is in writing and provides, among other things, that the benefits are limited to the difference between the actual cash value of the stolen vehicle and the vehicle’s replacement cost, temporary vehicle rental expenses, reimbursement for insurance policy deductible, and registration fees and taxes on a replacement vehicle or a fixed amount for those benefits, and that the benefit is payable upon the theft of the vehicle. Existing law defines a vehicle protection product for these purposes to mean a vehicle protection device, system, or service that is installed on, or applied to, a vehicle, is designed to deter the theft of the vehicle, and includes a written warranty that provides specified incidental costs if the product fails to deter the theft of the vehicle.

Existing law requires, except as specified, a dealer or person holding a retail seller’s permit who sells new or used vehicles equipped with a catalytic converter to permanently mark the catalytic converter with the vehicle identification number of the vehicle to which it is attached.

This bill would expand the definition of a vehicle protection product to include a physical device, system, or service designed to prevent the unauthorized removal of a vehicle’s catalytic converter, and would limit the warranty benefit for this vehicle protection product to the actual cash value and replacement cost of the catalytic converter, temporary vehicle rental expenses, and reimbursement for the insurance policy deductible. The bill would require the benefit to be payable upon the theft of the catalytic converter from the vehicle, as specified. The bill would also require a seller to disclose a specified notice if this vehicle protection product is a body part marking product designed to permanently mark the catalytic converter.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 2, 2026From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2. January 31, 2026Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
3. May 23, 2025In committee: Held under submission.
4. May 14, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
5. April 30, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6. April 29, 2025Re-referred to Com. on INS.
7. April 28, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on INS. Read second time and amended.
8. March 3, 2025Referred to Com. on INS.
9. February 14, 2025From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.
10. February 13, 2025Read first time. To print.