The best car insurance in Colorado

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Nicole WakelinNicole WakelinAutomotive journalistNicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast. Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.&Rachael BrennanRachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Reviewed by

Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|3 min read

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Colorado drivers pay an average of $1,852 per year for a full coverage car insurance policy. But what exactly your cost of coverage will be depends on where you live, your driving history, age, and other factors.

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The best way is to get cheaper rates in Colorado is to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies before you buy. Policygenius can help you see options from top companies so you can make sure you’re getting the coverage you need at rates that work for you.

Key takeaways

  • American National offers the lowest average cost for a full coverage car insurance policy in Colorado at $837 per year.

  • Colorado Farm Bureau offers the cheapest average rate for 16-year-olds at $3,233 per year

  • Colorado requires that drivers have at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and at least $15,000 in property damage liability coverage

Cheapest car insurance companies in Colorado

How much you’ll pay for car insurance in Colorado depends on details like your age, driving record, where you live, and the car that you drive. Every insurance company has its own formula for how they weigh these factors so one company may offer you a much lower rate than another, even for identical coverage.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

American National

$837

--

GEICO

$1,135

874

State Farm

$1,270

882

USAA

$1,309

890

Farm Bureau

$1,413

--

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Colorado

Your age plays a big factor in how much you pay for car insurance. Young drivers pay higher rates, because drivers who’ve been licensed for only a few years are more likely to have an accident and end up filing claims.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

16

Farm Bureau

$3,233

18

American National

$1,837

21

American National

$1,371

25

American National

$923

30

American National

$880

35

American National

$845

45

American National

$786

55

American National

$714

60

American National

$692

65

American National

$709

70

American National

$791

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Colorado

Buying car insurance may seem complicated, but it’s easier if you break it down into what’s most important to you, and see how companies stack up. Here’s what you should consider:

  • Total cost: Some companies offer better value than others for the same coverage. Shop around to find the best rates.

  • Coverage: The more coverage you get, the better protected you’ll be in case of an accident.

  • Customer service: If you ever need to submit a claim, the last thing you want is to get a headache dealing with the insurer. Looking at customer service and claims satisfaction scores can help narrow down your choices.

Policygenius makes it easy to compare options from top companies, so you can choose the coverage you need at a price that works for you.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

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Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Colorado

The more accidents or moving violations on your record, the more you’ll pay for car insurance. Even a single accident can cause a big jump in your car insurance premiums, so if you have a poor driving history, take extra time to shop around and compare quotes before you buy a policy.

Violation

American National

GEICO

State Farm

USAA

Farm Bureau

At-fault accident

$1,232

$1,887

$1,475

$1,961

$1,875

DUI

$1,308

$2,128

$1,384

$2,851

$1,854

Suspended license

$1,406

$1,789

$1,384

$2,693

$1,854

Open container

$1,232

$1,563

$1,384

$2,173

$1,854

Expired registration

$1,042

$1,288

$1,384

$1,743

$1,771

Driving without lights

$1,042

$1,621

$1,384

$1,544

$1,771

Running a red light

$1,042

$1,621

$1,384

$1,743

$1,771

Following too closely

$1,042

$1,621

$1,384

$1,743

$1,771

Hit and run

$1,406

$2,463

$1,384

$3,017

$1,854

Not-at-fault accident

$909

$1,207

$1,294

$1,405

$1,545

Passing a school bus

$1,186

$1,621

$1,384

$2,173

$1,771

Reckless driving

$1,406

$2,463

$1,384

$2,173

$1,854

Speeding

$1,042

$2,463

$1,384

$1,743

$2,004

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Colorado

The lower your credit score, the more you’ll pay for car insurance. Colorado drivers with poor credit may still be able to find affordable rates, however, since some car insurance companies charge less than others, even to drivers with bad credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,636

Nationwide

$2,408

State Farm

$2,546

USAA

$2,830

American National

$3,058

Car insurance costs in Colorado cities

Where in Colorado you live will affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance coverage. Bigger cities generally mean higher rates, because more cars on the roads means more accidents and claims.

Here are average annual car insurance rates in the 10 biggest cities in Colorado.

  • Denver: $2,173

  • Colorado Springs: $2,109

  • Aurora: $2,211

  • Fort Collins: $1,666

  • Lakewood: $2,063

  • Thornton: $1,966

  • Arvada: $1,877

  • Pueblo: $2,149

  • Westminster: $1,897

  • Centennial: $1,908

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Buying car insurance in Colorado

Drivers are required to have car insurance in Colorado. The minimum amount of coverage required by law is:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $15,000

It's particularly important to have car insurance because Colorado is an at-fault state. This means that the insurance of the driver who is found to be at-fault for an accident is responsible for paying for the other driver’s repair bills and medical costs.

Colorado drivers must have proof of insurance in their car at all times. If you are unable to show proof of car insurance when it’s requested, you may face serious penalties.

How to get cheap car insurance in Colorado

The cost of car insurance tends to increase in Colorado, even for good drivers. Fortunately, despite increasing rates there are a few simple tips for keeping your rates low, no matter who you are:

  • Drive safely: Avoid driving violations, especially accidents, if you want to get better rates. 

  • Compare quotes: Compare rates from multiple companies to be sure you’re getting the cheapest coverage.

  • Bundle policies: Get your home, auto, renters or motorcycle insurance from the same company and you can save big.

  • Reshop: Shop around for car insurance every six months to a year to make sure you’re not missing out on better rates with another company .

Find car insurance in your city:

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Frequently asked questions

How can I save on my car insurance in Colorado?

The best way to get a low car insurance rate in Colorado is to maintain your credit, avoid accidents and traffic violations, shop around for a policy every year or so, and bundle multiple policies with the same company.

Is Colorado a no-fault state?

No, Colorado is an at-fault state. The car insurance of the driver who is found to be at-fault for an accident is responsible for paying everyone’s related expenses.

Does Colorado require car insurance?

Yes, you are required to have car insurance in Colorado. Colorado requires that drivers have at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and at least $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.

How much is car insurance per month in Colorado?

Drivers in Colorado pay an average of $154 per month for car insurance, or $1,852 per year.

Methodology

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Authors

Nicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country.

Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast.

Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

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