Missouri's Auto Theft Task Force: A Game Changer for Insurance

In 2025, Missouri ranked sixth nationwide in car thefts per capita, highlighting a pressing issue for the insurance industry. Recognizing the increasing automobile theft rates, Representative Steve Butz from Crawford-Butz Insurance Agency is championing the creation of an Auto Theft Task Force. This initiative aims to enhance cooperation between state and local authorities, addressing auto theft through improved risk management and regulatory compliance requirements.

Butz notes that his agency processes approximately 40 car theft claims annually, each resulting in over $10,000 in damages on average. "The volume and impact of car thefts affect not only the insurance sector but also all policyholders," he explained. The task force's concept is modeled after a successful Illinois initiative that has significantly reduced car thefts since the 1990s. Currently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol's ability to investigate is constrained due to limited resources, with only one investigator assigned to these crimes.

Butz, alongside Republican Representative Don Mayhew, previously introduced a bill to create the task force, which gained unanimous approval in committee but stalled due to legislative time constraints. Additionally, Butz advocates for tougher penalties for armed carjackings, currently classified as a Class B felony. This reform could have substantial implications for the insurance industry by potentially reducing claims and associated costs while enhancing regulatory compliance.