Colorado car insurance laws

Colorado requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/15.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, Colorado drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

Colorado car insurance requirements

Colorado requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Colorado liability minimums are 25/50/15.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $437. However, Geico has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $227.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in Colorado.

CompanyAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Geico$227$19
Southern Farm Bureau$228$19
State Farm$387$32
Auto-Owners$400$33
Kemper$400$33
Progressive$404$34
Acuity Insurance$582$48
Allstate$761$63
Farmers$824$69
USAA$283$24

Colorado car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $437. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in Colorado.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Colorado is Geico at an average rate of $227 annually.

State minimum coverage limit25/50/15
Average annual premium$437
Average monthly premium$36

Are the Colorado minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

Colorado car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Colorado?

Colorado requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Colorado drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Colorado minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/15, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in Colorado?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Colorado penalties for driving without car insurance

Since Colorado requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry Colorado car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines$500-$1,000
Other penaltiesLicense suspension
Jail timeYes

Colorado minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Southern Farm Bureau has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $853. Geico offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $232.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $446, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $429, a difference of $17.

Male
AgeCompanyMale annual premiumMale monthly premium
16Southern Farm Bureau$1,132$94
16Geico$1,367$114
16State Farm$1,794$150
16Auto-Owners$2,107$176
16Progressive$2,235$186
16Kemper$3,309$276
16Allstate$3,552$296
16Farmers$5,856$488
16USAA$1,773$148
17Southern Farm Bureau$885$74
17Geico$927$77
17State Farm$1,550$129
17Auto-Owners$1,906$159
17Progressive$2,000$167
17Kemper$2,403$200
17Allstate$2,578$215
17Farmers$4,562$380
17USAA$1,211$101
18Geico$736$61
18Southern Farm Bureau$781$65
18State Farm$1,323$110
18Progressive$1,675$140
18Auto-Owners$1,690$141
18Allstate$1,849$154
18Kemper$1,959$163
18Farmers$3,823$319
18USAA$962$80
19Geico$513$43
19Southern Farm Bureau$694$58
19Progressive$1,034$86
19State Farm$1,128$94
19Auto-Owners$1,425$119
19Allstate$1,572$131
19Kemper$1,633$136
19Farmers$2,220$185
19USAA$812$68
20Geico$419$35
20Southern Farm Bureau$609$51
20Progressive$899$75
20State Farm$965$80
20Auto-Owners$1,185$99
20Allstate$1,358$113
20Kemper$1,380$115
20Farmers$1,937$161
20USAA$676$56
21Geico$317$26
21Southern Farm Bureau$562$47
21Progressive$677$56
21State Farm$813$68
21Auto-Owners$961$80
21Kemper$1,105$92
21Allstate$1,114$93
21Farmers$1,124$94
21Acuity InsuranceNANA
21USAA$501$42
22Geico$294$25
22Southern Farm Bureau$520$43
22Progressive$624$52
22State Farm$725$60
22Auto-Owners$841$70
22Kemper$938$78
22Allstate$995$83
22Farmers$1,068$89
22Acuity InsuranceNANA
22USAA$450$38
23Geico$275$23
23Southern Farm Bureau$483$40
23Progressive$573$48
23State Farm$627$52
23Auto-Owners$725$60
23Kemper$797$66
23Allstate$944$79
23Acuity Insurance$947$79
23Farmers$974$81
23USAA$420$35
24Geico$263$22
24Southern Farm Bureau$450$38
24Progressive$527$44
24State Farm$546$46
24Auto-Owners$659$55
24Kemper$739$62
24Allstate$900$75
24Acuity Insurance$909$76
24Farmers$937$78
24USAA$396$33
25Geico$250$21
25Southern Farm Bureau$421$35
25Progressive$445$37
25Kemper$462$39
25State Farm$497$41
25Auto-Owners$578$48
25Acuity Insurance$682$57
25Allstate$861$72
25Farmers$946$79
25USAA$363$30
30Geico$226$19
30Southern Farm Bureau$317$26
30State Farm$384$32
30Kemper$393$33
30Progressive$404$34
30Auto-Owners$420$35
30Acuity Insurance$652$54
30Allstate$776$65
30Farmers$850$71
30USAA$307$26
35Geico$223$19
35Southern Farm Bureau$259$22
35Kemper$372$31
35State Farm$380$32
35Progressive$396$33
35Auto-Owners$409$34
35Acuity Insurance$622$52
35Allstate$769$64
35Farmers$795$66
35USAA$289$24
40Geico$222$19
40Southern Farm Bureau$228$19
40State Farm$387$32
40Progressive$395$33
40Kemper$397$33
40Auto-Owners$400$33
40Acuity Insurance$568$47
40Allstate$761$63
40Farmers$771$64
40USAA$279$23
45Southern Farm Bureau$215$18
45Geico$223$19
45Auto-Owners$386$32
45State Farm$390$33
45Progressive$395$33
45Kemper$407$34
45Acuity Insurance$581$48
45Farmers$742$62
45Allstate$753$63
45USAA$273$23
50Southern Farm Bureau$218$18
50Geico$223$19
50Auto-Owners$371$31
50State Farm$384$32
50Kemper$391$33
50Progressive$391$33
50Acuity Insurance$533$44
50Farmers$721$60
50Allstate$749$62
50USAA$270$23
55Geico$223$19
55Southern Farm Bureau$235$20
55Auto-Owners$374$31
55State Farm$374$31
55Kemper$380$32
55Progressive$392$33
55Acuity Insurance$564$47
55Farmers$679$57
55Allstate$731$61
55USAA$275$23
60Geico$227$19
60Southern Farm Bureau$269$22
60State Farm$364$30
60Auto-Owners$377$31
60Kemper$383$32
60Progressive$392$33
60Acuity Insurance$623$52
60Farmers$702$59
60Allstate$731$61
60USAA$283$24
65Geico$234$20
65Southern Farm Bureau$327$27
65State Farm$364$30
65Auto-Owners$407$34
65Progressive$415$35
65Kemper$443$37
65Acuity Insurance$620$52
65Allstate$733$61
65Farmers$805$67
65USAA$306$26
70Geico$334$28
70State Farm$387$32
70Southern Farm Bureau$419$35
70Progressive$445$37
70Kemper$456$38
70Auto-Owners$475$40
70Acuity Insurance$631$53
70Allstate$781$65
70Farmers$914$76
70USAA$351$29
75Geico$378$32
75State Farm$432$36
75Progressive$528$44
75Auto-Owners$546$46
75Southern Farm Bureau$568$47
75Acuity Insurance$650$54
75Kemper$659$55
75Allstate$867$72
75Farmers$1,041$87
75USAA$405$34
AgeCompanyFemale annual premiumFemale monthly premium
16Southern Farm Bureau$1,071$89
16Geico$1,397$116
16State Farm$1,404$117
16Auto-Owners$1,502$125
16Progressive$2,188$182
16Kemper$2,711$226
16Allstate$3,552$296
16Farmers$5,384$449
16USAA$1,631$136
17Southern Farm Bureau$842$70
17Geico$969$81
17State Farm$1,209$101
17Auto-Owners$1,398$117
17Progressive$1,837$153
17Kemper$1,886$157
17Allstate$2,578$215
17Farmers$4,245$354
17USAA$1,112$93
18Geico$721$60
18Southern Farm Bureau$748$62
18State Farm$1,043$87
18Progressive$1,521$127
18Auto-Owners$1,279$107
18Allstate$1,849$154
18Kemper$1,476$123
18Farmers$3,607$301
18USAA$887$74
19Geico$507$42
19Southern Farm Bureau$670$56
19Progressive$943$79
19State Farm$900$75
19Auto-Owners$1,151$96
19Allstate$1,572$131
19Kemper$1,180$98
19Farmers$2,065$172
19USAA$746$62
20Geico$409$34
20Southern Farm Bureau$592$49
20Progressive$832$69
20State Farm$787$66
20Auto-Owners$1,021$85
20Allstate$1,358$113
20Kemper$1,031$86
20Farmers$1,788$149
20USAA$627$52
21Geico$320$27
21Southern Farm Bureau$548$46
21Progressive$683$57
21State Farm$673$56
21Auto-Owners$924$77
21Kemper$852$71
21Allstate$1,114$93
21Farmers$1,010$84
21Acuity Insurance$1,112$93
21USAA$469$39
22Geico$294$25
22Southern Farm Bureau$509$42
22Progressive$647$54
22State Farm$611$51
22Auto-Owners$841$70
22Kemper$745$62
22Allstate$995$83
22Farmers$949$79
22Acuity Insurance$970$81
22USAA$424$35
23Geico$286$24
23Southern Farm Bureau$474$40
23Progressive$584$49
23State Farm$533$44
23Auto-Owners$792$66
23Kemper$651$54
23Allstate$944$79
23Acuity Insurance$822$69
23Farmers$877$73
23USAA$403$34
24Geico$278$23
24Southern Farm Bureau$444$37
24Progressive$544$45
24State Farm$481$40
24Auto-Owners$738$62
24Kemper$661$55
24Allstate$900$75
24Acuity Insurance$784$65
24Farmers$854$71
24USAA$381$32
25Geico$260$22
25Southern Farm Bureau$416$35
25Progressive$470$39
25Kemper$450$38
25State Farm$432$36
25Auto-Owners$658$55
25Acuity Insurance$600$50
25Allstate$861$72
25Farmers$870$73
25USAA$357$30
30Geico$232$19
30Southern Farm Bureau$317$26
30State Farm$384$32
30Kemper$436$36
30Progressive$432$36
30Auto-Owners$420$35
30Acuity Insurance$698$58
30Allstate$776$65
30Farmers$823$69
30USAA$313$26
35Geico$235$20
35Southern Farm Bureau$260$22
35Kemper$409$34
35State Farm$380$32
35Progressive$425$35
35Auto-Owners$409$34
35Acuity Insurance$616$51
35Allstate$769$64
35Farmers$823$69
35USAA$296$25
40Geico$233$19
40Southern Farm Bureau$229$19
40State Farm$387$32
40Progressive$413$34
40Kemper$402$34
40Auto-Owners$400$33
40Acuity Insurance$607$51
40Allstate$761$63
40Farmers$877$73
40USAA$287$24
45Southern Farm Bureau$215$18
45Geico$233$19
45Auto-Owners$386$32
45State Farm$390$33
45Progressive$413$34
45Kemper$405$34
45Acuity Insurance$594$50
45Farmers$805$67
45Allstate$753$63
45USAA$281$23
50Southern Farm Bureau$215$18
50Geico$233$19
50Auto-Owners$371$31
50State Farm$384$32
50Kemper$383$32
50Progressive$397$33
50Acuity Insurance$537$45
50Farmers$735$61
50Allstate$749$62
50USAA$278$23
55Geico$233$19
55Southern Farm Bureau$229$19
55Auto-Owners$374$31
55State Farm$374$31
55Kemper$357$30
55Progressive$388$32
55Acuity Insurance$593$49
55Farmers$673$56
55Allstate$731$61
55USAA$280$23
60Geico$233$19
60Southern Farm Bureau$257$21
60State Farm$364$30
60Auto-Owners$377$31
60Kemper$350$29
60Progressive$391$33
60Acuity Insurance$546$46
60Farmers$648$54
60Allstate$731$61
60USAA$286$24
65Geico$236$20
65Southern Farm Bureau$306$26
65State Farm$364$30
65Auto-Owners$407$34
65Progressive$413$34
65Kemper$424$35
65Acuity Insurance$548$46
65Allstate$733$61
65Farmers$709$59
65USAA$307$26
70Geico$321$27
70State Farm$387$32
70Southern Farm Bureau$383$32
70Progressive$447$37
70Kemper$457$38
70Auto-Owners$475$40
70Acuity Insurance$643$54
70Allstate$781$65
70Farmers$792$66
70USAA$342$29
75Geico$337$28
75State Farm$432$36
75Progressive$495$41
75Auto-Owners$546$46
75Southern Farm Bureau$510$43
75Acuity Insurance$710$59
75Kemper$614$51
75Allstate$867$72
75Farmers$898$75
75USAA$388$32

Colorado minimum coverage cost by city

Greeley drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in Colorado at $441. However, Aurora pay the most at $573.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Colorado.

CityAverage annual premiumAverage monthly premium
Greeley$441$37
Fort Collins$447$37
Pueblo$451$38
Colorado Springs$510$43
Arvada$520$43
Westminster$521$43
Thornton$527$44
Lakewood$532$44
Denver$563$47
Aurora$573$48

Optional car insurance coverage in Colorado

Colorado requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

  • Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
  • Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
  • Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
  • Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
  • Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Colorado car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Colorado?

Yes, Colorado requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 25/50/15.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Colorado?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Colorado, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.

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