Senate OKs bill to regulate cell phone insurance

The state of Idaho is one step closer to regulating the sale of cell phone and other portable electronics insurance.

The Senate voted 26-8 Tuesday in favor of House Bill 649, which would place portable electronics in the same category as other limited lines of insurance such as travel or pet insurance.

The bill says a company would need to get a single license for a location, rather than have each individual sales person licensed. Technically, that’s what is required under Idaho law, but the Department of Insurance doesn’t enforce the law for portable electronics just yet.

Sen. John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, described the bill as one that would reduce government regulation of the industry. / Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter

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