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- Be sure to wear a seat belt – auto accidents are a leading cause of death in Colorado.
- In 2023, Colorado drivers paid an average total of $2,177 in insurance premiums, which is slightly higher than the national average.
- When purchasing car insurance in Colorado, you’ll need at least the state’s minimum-required bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.
The Centennial State can be a scenic place to drive, but first, you need to make sure you have the proper car insurance in Colorado. In this article, we’ll recommend the top insurance providers for Colorado drivers based on affordability, coverage, and customer service. We’ll also explain important Colorado car insurance information such as minimum policy requirements and how much you should expect to pay for coverage.
Our review team has taken a close look at several of the best car insurance companies in the industry. Using our previous research as a guide, we’ve created a top-provider list specifically tailored to Colorado drivers. While our recommendations offer some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the state, individual prices may vary. One way to find the cheapest Colorado auto insurance is to compare quotes yourself, which you can do easily using the tool above.
Top Colorado Car Insurance Providers
While many auto insurance providers are available in every state, coverage, customer service, and pricing can vary from place to place. To determine which companies offer the best car insurance in Colorado, we not only considered national reputation, but also local service scores and costs. See our list of the best Colorado car insurance providers and find information about each recommended insurer below.
| Best Colorado Car Insurance | Overall Rating | Coverage | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. GEICO | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| 2. American Family Insurance | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.1 |
| 3. USAA | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| 4. The Hartford | 4.1 | 4.6 | 3.7 |
| 5. Allstate | 4.4 | 4.6 | 3.6 |
*Overall Ratings represent our team’s evaluation of auto insurance companies nationwide, while the order of providers in the table reflects recommendations specifically in Colorado. For this reason, you may see some providers listed above others with higher Overall Ratings.
#1 USAA: Best for Military
USAA scored the highest of any auto insurance provider in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the Southwest region. In fact, USAA consistently scored the highest in most regions surveyed but is not eligible for formal ranking because it is not available to every driver.
USAA insurance is only available to military members and their immediate families. For those who do qualify, USAA is often the best choice for drivers in any state. It has an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and one of the best customer satisfaction reputations of any car insurance company.
USAA insurance premiums are low for members, and you can save even more if you’re able to take advantage of USAA’s many discounts. Drivers looking for car insurance in Colorado should look for:
- Family discount
- Loyalty discount
- Safe driving discount
- New vehicle discount
- Multi-vehicle discount
- Good student discount
- Vehicle storage discount
- Annual mileage discount
- Driving courses discount
- Military installation discount
Learn more about this insurer by reading our full USAA car insurance review.
#2 American Family Insurance: Best Discount Variety
American Family Insurance is a regional provider available to drivers in 17 states, including Colorado. It came in first place in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the Southwest region, with 850 out of 1,000 points.
When it comes to other industry benchmarks, American Family is not quite as highly rated as GEICO, but it comes close. The company has an A financial strength rating from AM Best and an A rating from the BBB. It’s not unusual for regional insurers to have slightly lower fiscal strengths than national corporations, but American Family has stronger financials than many other small-scale providers and a loyal customer base in Colorado.
Drivers can find all standard types of car insurance with American Family, as well as specialty coverage for motorcycles and recreational vehicles.
#3 Allstate: Best Usage-Based Insurance
Allstate ranked seventh in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the Southwest region, scoring 822 out of 1,000 points. It is no surprise that Allstate ranks high for customer service in Colorado, as the provider works through a network of local agents to provide coverage. This means an agent familiar with Colorado roads and driving requirements can help pair you with the ideal car insurance policy.
While Allstate does not offer the same number of discount opportunities as some of the other providers on our list, it does offer the following cost-reduction perks:
- New car discount
- Teen driver discount
- Multi-policy discount
Allstate has a strong national reputation and solid financial backing. The insurer has an A+ rating from the BBB and an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best.
#4 GEICO: Most Discount Options
GEICO is among the best-known insurers in the country for a reason, and this is not only because of its memorable advertisements. GEICO offers low-cost policies that make the provider a smart decision for most drivers.
For Colorado drivers, GEICO is especially well-regarded. In the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction StudySM for the Southwest region (which includes Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah), GEICO came in fifth place with an overall score of 829 out of 1,000 points.
In addition to standard Colorado car insurance, GEICO customers can also purchase mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). MBI policies help pay for expensive mechanical repairs after your car’s original warranty expires.
GEICO has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best. If you want to learn more, you can check out our full GEICO auto insurance review.
#5 The Hartford: Best for Seniors in Colorado
The Hartford specializes in car insurance coverage for older drivers. Those with AARP membership qualify for special discounted coverage from The Hartford. If you are old enough (at least 50 years of age), AARP membership fees are very low, and the money you’ll save on an insurance policy can easily justify the cost.
Ways to save on Colorado auto insurance with The Hartford include:
- Rate protection
- Anti-theft discount
- Pay-in-full discount
- Good student discounts
- Driver training discounts
- Disappearing deductible
- Defensive driver discount
- First accident forgiveness
- $100 deductible reduction at authorized repair shops
Policies with The Hartford are inexpensive, and the company has a strong reputation for quality customer service in Colorado. In the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the Southwest region, The Hartford placed sixth with a score of 826 out of 1,000.
In addition to the standard types of auto insurance, The Hartford sells classic auto insurance, RV insurance, and commercial auto insurance in Colorado.
Colorado Car Insurance Requirements
Car insurance is required in Colorado. For minimum coverage, drivers must purchase 25/50/15 liability insurance, which includes the following coverage:
- $25,000 per person bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per accident bodily injury liability
- $15,000 per accident property damage liability
It’s always a good idea to purchase additional coverage. State minimum requirements often don’t cover the bulk of the financial burden if a major accident does occur.
Colorado state agents regularly compare the database of registered vehicles against a list of insured vehicles, so even if you are not involved in an accident, you can be flagged for not having the proper insurance. If you’re caught driving without car insurance in Colorado, you may face the following penalties:
- License suspension
- Fines that increase up to $1,000
- Four points added to your license
- Up to 40 hours of community service
The first time you are caught driving without car insurance in Colorado, the fine is $500 and your license is suspended until you pay a $40 fee. Further infractions result in a fine of $1,000 and a license suspension of up to eight months.
Fines aren’t the only reason you should maintain auto insurance coverage. While the limits mentioned above are the legally required minimums, all drivers should consider full coverage auto insurance.
A full coverage auto policy will help pay for the cost of repairs to your vehicle no matter the type of incident or who was at fault. It’s typically recommended that drivers have comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage in addition to liability coverage.
Cost of Car Insurance in Colorado
According to a 2020 report issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Colorado drivers paid the following average auto insurance premium costs in 2017:
- Liability: $639.99
- Collision: $326.39
- Comprehensive: $228.32
- Total average expenditure: $1,050.19
These numbers are somewhat higher than national averages, but not by much. The average total premium across all states in 2017 was $1,004.68, according to the same report.
There are a few factors that affect the overall cost of car insurance, like your driving record, credit score, age, location, and more.
Colorado Car Insurance Alternatives
If you have over 25 vehicles registered to your name, you can register with the state as a self-insurer. To do so, you must apply for a certificate of self-insurance from the Colorado state insurance commissioner.
Colorado Driving Habits
Like many states, car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Colorado. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents has risen steadily since 2011.
Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation indicates that there were 11.1 deaths per 100,000 people in Colorado in 2018. This is about the same as the national average of 11.2.
That same year, Colorado drivers traveled a total of 53,954,000,000 miles, an average of 12,711 miles per licensed driver.
Depending on where you are in the state of Colorado, drivers may experience harsh winter driving conditions. In addition to obeying speed limits and wearing a seat belt, make sure your vehicle is properly outfitted for road conditions and that you adjust your driving behavior accordingly.
Conclusion: Colorado Car Insurance
Car insurance in Colorado costs slightly more than it does in some other states. However, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find cheap auto insurance in Colorado. We recommend Colorado drivers look into policies from these top providers:
- #1 USAA
- #2 American Family Insurance
- #3 Allstate
- #4 GEICO
- #5 The Hartford
- #6 State Farm
These companies have excellent reputations among Colorado drivers and offer low-cost policies. The best way to find the cheapest auto insurance provider for you is to shop around and compare quotes. Your location, age, gender, marital status, and driving history can all impact your car insurance rates. Use the tool below to find free Colorado car insurance quotes quickly from several of our top-rated providers.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
