Here's what you need to know when driving in Colorado
The average car insurance rate in Colorado is $1,757 per year — 14% more than the national average.
Aside from where you live, car insurance premiums are impacted by many factors. Auto insurance prices are based on a number of components, including your credit score, driving record, age, gender, and marital status.
Below we assessed Colorado auto insurance premiums by all of the significant rating factors so you could easily compare rates. Read on to see how much car insurance runs in your state — or enter your ZIP code above to receive personalized quotes from leading insurers.
Affordable Insurance Premiums in Colorado
What's the cheapest car insurance in Colorado?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hartford | $842 |
| 2 | Auto-Owners | $1,180 |
| 3 | Travelers | $1,195 |
| 4 | USAA | $1,406 |
| 5 | Cal Casualty | $1,473 |
| 6 | Allied | $1,494 |
| 7 | State Farm | $1,531 |
| 8 | Nationwide | $1,671 |
| 9 | Colorado Farm Bureau | $2,475 |
| 10 | Progressive | $2,952 |
Compare quotes from over 30 insurance companies in Colorado by entering your ZIP code below.
Compare cheap rates from top companies now!
Cheap insurance for good drivers in Colorado
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Colorado drivers without a recent at-fault accident save almost 40% on their car insurance, on average, while Colorado drivers without a recent ticket save 17%. These figures are less than the national averages of a 50% savings without an at-fault accident and 25% savings without a speeding ticket. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
COLORADO CAR INSURANCE AVERAGE SAVINGS FOR GOOD DRIVERS
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $311 | 17.7% |
| No Accidents | $701 | 39.9% |
| Good Credit | $1,018 | 46% |
Insurance rates by age bracket in Colorado
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Colorado, the typical teen driver pays $5,713 annually — approximately 14% more than the national average for teens, and more than three times more than the average Colorado driver.
COLORADO CAR INSURANCE RATES BY AGE GROUP
| Age | Annual Average Premium |
|---|---|
| 16 | $7,416 |
| 17 | $6,391 |
| 18 | $5,603 |
| 19 | $3,441 |
| 20s | $2,130 |
| 30s | $1,725 |
| 40s | $1,666 |
| 50s | $1,548 |
| 60s | $1,553 |
| 70s | $1,757 |
Average auto insurance premiums by gender in Colorado
While gender doesn’t have as sizable an effect on auto insurance premiums as a driver's location or age, it is used as a rating factor by car insurance companies.
COLORADO CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY GENDER
| Gender | Average Yearly Premium |
|---|---|
| Male | $1,757 |
| Female | $1,758 |
Average car insurance premiums by marital status in Colorado
One benefit of nuptials — aside from the honeymoon — is the price cut you typically receive on insurance. In the state of Colorado, married drivers save $122 each year on car insurance. This is more than the national post-wedding price cut of $98.
COLORADO AUTO INSURANCE COSTS BY MARITAL STATUS
| Marital Status | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Single | $1,757 |
| Married | $1,635 |
| Divorced | $1,757 |
| Widowed | $1,679 |
Average auto insurance rates in Colorado by credit tier
Auto insurers reference credit history as a way of determining how reliable a prospective customer will be. Data trends suggest drivers who maintain solid credit scores are more insurable auto insurance customers: they are less likely to file claims covered by insurance companies.
In Colorado, a driver who carries excellent credit can save over $1,700 per year in car insurance premiums, contrasted with a driver with a less-favorable credit score.
COLORADO AUTO INSURANCE COSTS BY CREDIT LEVEL
| Credit Tier | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Very Poor (300-579) | $3,227 |
| Fair (580-669) | $2,637 |
| Good (670-739) | $2,209 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,855 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,525 |
Best Car Insurance Companies in Colorado
Every car insurance company brags about its affordable costs. But just like with any product, the cheapest car insurance isn't always the finest choice. Considering the financial stakes, it's worth doing the due diligence to find the policy that protects your car completely in the event of a collision. Find the best value, instead of settling for the cheapest auto insurance available.
Compare top insurers' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the level of service they will provide. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and running from "Superior" to "Poor" — evaluates an insurer's financial strength and ability to fulfill its contractual and policy obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allied | 3 | Superior |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| American Family | 3 | Excellent |
| Amica | 5 | Superior |
| Auto-Owners | 3 | Superior |
| Colorado Farm Bureau | Not Rated | Good |
| Encompass | Not Rated | Superior |
| Farmers | 3 | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nationwide | 3 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
See insurance rates for Colorado's best companies!
What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Colorado?
The minimum allowed car insurance level in Colorado is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $15,000 Property Damage per accident.
For the minimum required coverage in Colorado, be prepared to pay about $673 annually. This is more than the nationwide average by 8%. If you opt for better car insurance coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, insuring against the costs of auto collisions, theft, or weather incidents. It's worth noting that better coverage comes at a cost: in Colorado, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,547, 130% more than basic insurance coverage. For comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 161% more than you might pay for a basic liability-only policy.
Compare average prices for basic, better, and best insurance levels in the following table.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Colorado | $673 | $1,547 | $1,757 |
| National Average | $621 | $1,373 | $1,868 |
Colorado Auto Insurance Laws
State minimum insurance requirements in Colorado
In Colorado, the state minimum requirement is liability coverage, with limits of:
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $15,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Colorado (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical and Funeral Services
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
Ticket Impact on Auto Insurance Rates in Colorado
If you receive a ticket, your auto insurance costs will probably go up. By how much depends on the violation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a look at typical auto insurance rates in Colorado after a few common violations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hit and Run | $2,567 | 46% | $810 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,358 | 34% | $601 |
| DUI | $2,358 | 34% | $601 |
| Racing | $2,536 | 44% | $779 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,383 | 36% | $626 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,434 | 39% | $677 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,458 | 40% | $701 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $2,204 | 25% | $447 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $2,166 | 23% | $409 |
| Passing a School Bus | $2,216 | 26% | $459 |
| Improper Passing | $2,139 | 22% | $382 |
| Following Too Closely | $2,135 | 22% | $378 |
| Speeding | $2,068 | 18% | $311 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $2,136 | 22% | $379 |
| Illegal Turn | $2,136 | 22% | $379 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $2,116 | 20% | $359 |
| Failure to Yield | $2,136 | 22% | $379 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $2,099 | 19% | $342 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $2,097 | 19% | $340 |
| Distracted Driving | $2,101 | 20% | $344 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,841 | 5% | $84 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,841 | 5% | $84 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,804 | 3% | $47 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,779 | 1% | $22 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,759 | 0% | $2 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,779 | 1% | $22 |
Get Colorado car insurance now!
Colorado Car Insurance FAQs
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Colorado?
The cheapest company will vary based on you and your driving history. Our data shows The Hartford ($421), Auto-Owners ($590) and Travelers ($597) are the most affordable options in Colorado.
What is the average cost of car insurance in Colorado?
The average cost of car insurance in CO is $878 for a six-month policy. This will set you back $146/month.
Why is Colorado car insurance so expensive?
Colorado is 6% cheaper than the national average for car insurance. If you feel you're paying too much for insurance, use our free insurance comparison tool to see competitive rates from GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, and Esurance.
How much does car insurance cost in Colorado cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Grand Junction, Colorado, and the most expensive in Pueblo, Colorado.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pueblo | $2,183 |
| 2 | Aurora | $2,009 |
| 3 | Lakewood | $2,008 |
| 4 | Denver | $1,949 |
| 5 | Colorado Springs | $1,903 |
| 6 | Commerce City | $1,842 |
| 7 | Security-Widefield | $1,831 |
| 8 | Northglenn | $1,779 |
| 9 | Centennial | $1,759 |
| 10 | Parker | $1,748 |
| 11 | Arvada | $1,742 |
| 12 | Littleton | $1,702 |
| 13 | Castle Rock | $1,680 |
| 14 | Highlands Ranch | $1,679 |
| 15 | Brighton | $1,674 |
| 16 | Greeley | $1,634 |
| 17 | Boulder | $1,631 |
| 18 | Broomfield | $1,620 |
| 19 | Longmont | $1,587 |
| 20 | Fort Collins | $1,536 |
| 21 | Loveland | $1,471 |
| 22 | Grand Junction | $1,392 |
Recent Colorado Car Insurance Questions and Answers
How do I get insurance for making deliveries if I'm borrowing a car?
If my vehicles are all insured, can I get uninsured motorist coverage on just one car?
If the repair costs more than the car without an accident, will it still get totaled?
What are my options if I need SR-22 insurance in Colorado but don't own a car?
Colorado Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Colorado area, while also getting an insider view of the Centennial State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.
