Compare the best rates from 11 car insurance companies in Colorado.
Across the Centennial State, there are 183,498 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hartford | $842 |
| 2 | Grange | $968 |
| 3 | USAA | $1,019 |
| 4 | Nationwide | $1,132 |
| 5 | GEICO | $1,164 |
| 6 | Auto-Owners | $1,180 |
| 7 | Travelers | $1,195 |
| 8 | State Farm | $1,234 |
| 9 | American Family | $1,288 |
| 10 | Progressive | $1,349 |
| 11 | Amica | $1,367 |
| 12 | Allied | $1,468 |
| 13 | Cal Casualty | $1,473 |
| 14 | Farmers | $1,597 |
| 15 | Colorado Farm Bureau | $1,608 |
| 16 | MetLife | $1,848 |
| 17 | Allstate | $2,035 |
| 18 | Encompass | $2,209 |
| 19 | Safeco | $2,497 |
| 20 | Titan | $2,684 |
| 21 | Unitrin | $2,968 |
| 22 | Dairyland | $3,100 |
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 30% on their car insurance, on average, while Colorado drivers without a recent ticket save 17%. Both of these figures are near US-average. 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%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $296 | 17.25% |
| No Accidents | $634 | 30.84% |
| Good Credit | $1,377 | 49.21% |
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 $4,941 annually — approximately equal to the national average for teens, but about three times more than the average Coloradoan driver.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,856 | $6,955 |
| 17 | $4,591 | $5,969 |
| 18 | $4,653 | $5,273 |
| 19 | $4,042 | $3,190 |
Drivers with clean driving records — meaning no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other citations — typically pay less for car insurance. In Colorado, your car insurance premiums will increase by 33% after a DUI, 30% after an at-fault accident, and 17% after a speeding ticket. These hikes roughly align with national averages. If you have a sparkling clean driving history, be sure to take advantage of your insurer's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $2,054 | 30.84% |
| DUI | $2,131 | 33.31% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,717 | 17.25% |
| Bad Credit | $2,797 | 49.21% |
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 | 4 | Excellent |
| Amica | 4 | Superior |
| Auto-Owners | 5 | Superior |
| Colorado Farm Bureau | Not Rated | Good |
| Encompass | Not Rated | Superior |
| Farmers | 3 | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
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 a mean of $647 annually. This is cheaper than the nationwide average by 2%. 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 $1,273, 97% more than basic insurance coverage. For comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 122% more than you might 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 | $646.83 | $1,272.51 | $1,434.10 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Liability coverage is legally required in Colorado and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In Colorado, the minimum is listed as 25/50/15 and explained below:
These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in Colorado but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.
No. Colorado is a tort state, meaning you are required to cover any bodily injury or property damage you cause.
Yes. In order to register a vehicle with Colorado's DMV, you're required to present proof of insurance for the vehicle you are registering.
If you're selling a vehicle, you will need the title information, the emissions inspection certificate — if required in your county — and the bill of sale. The exact documents and details are available on Colorado's DMV website.
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 Westminster, Colorado, and the most expensive in Pueblo, Colorado.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pueblo | $1,929 |
| 2 | Aurora | $1,874 |
| 3 | Denver | $1,852 |
| 4 | Colorado Springs | $1,791 |
| 5 | Lakewood | $1,779 |
| 6 | Security-Widefield | $1,767 |
| 7 | Commerce City | $1,725 |
| 8 | Northglenn | $1,721 |
| 9 | Parker | $1,671 |
| 10 | Centennial | $1,655 |
| 11 | Arvada | $1,645 |
| 12 | Brighton | $1,636 |
| 13 | Littleton | $1,633 |
| 14 | Highlands Ranch | $1,617 |
| 15 | Castle Rock | $1,610 |
| 16 | Greeley | $1,588 |
| 17 | Boulder | $1,568 |
| 18 | Broomfield | $1,559 |
| 19 | Longmont | $1,509 |
| 20 | Fort Collins | $1,474 |
| 21 | Loveland | $1,428 |
| 22 | Grand Junction | $1,422 |
| 23 | Ken Caryl | $1,300 |
| 24 | Thornton | $1,294 |
| 25 | Westminster | $1,259 |
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DWAI offenses are commonly considered misdemeanors in Colorado.
First-time offenses result in:
Except when otherwise posted, you are speeding in Colorado if your speeds exceed:
In other cases, the maximum speed limit in Colorado is 75 miles per hour.
If you drive with a “wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property,” you are guilty of reckless driving in Colorado. In other words, intentionally ignoring the rules of the road or driving in an unsafe manner may result in you being charged with reckless driving.
Distracted driving in Colorado is considered a primary offense. Law enforcement officers are permitted to pull over and cite drivers even if their only offense is driving while distracted.
Distracted driving constitutes anything that prevents a driver from paying full attention to the road. Pets, eating, and grooming can all lead to a driver becoming distracted. Of course, use of a wireless device while driving can also be dangerous.
Racing in Colorado is also referred to as engaging in a “speed contest.” A speed contest takes place when one or more vehicles:
Colorado became a fault-based state in 2003. After an accident, fault may be assigned to one or more drivers. Additionally, as a comparative negligence state, drivers may share some degree of fault for an accident.
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 | $2,657 | 58% | $975 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,433 | 45% | $752 |
| DUI | $2,433 | 45% | $752 |
| Racing | $2,603 | 55% | $922 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,436 | 45% | $755 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,484 | 48% | $802 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,308 | 37% | $626 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $2,124 | 26% | $442 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $2,094 | 25% | $412 |
| Passing a School Bus | $2,180 | 30% | $498 |
| Improper Passing | $2,082 | 24% | $400 |
| Following Too Closely | $2,064 | 23% | $382 |
| Speeding | $2,007 | 19% | $325 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $2,066 | 23% | $384 |
| Illegal Turn | $2,066 | 23% | $384 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $2,060 | 22% | $378 |
| Failure to Yield | $2,066 | 23% | $384 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $2,030 | 21% | $348 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $2,028 | 21% | $347 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,985 | 18% | $304 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,805 | 7% | $123 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,805 | 7% | $123 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,724 | 3% | $42 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,746 | 4% | $64 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,726 | 3% | $44 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,702 | 1% | $20 |
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.
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.
The length of the road trip to your feature destrination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
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.
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2019
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2020
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.
