What Colorado drivers pay for car insurance

Colorado's premium against the U.S. average

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports average premiums per insured car for every state. For 2023, its latest state year, the Colorado average expenditure was $1,453, up 14% from $1,275 in 2022. That figure includes liability-only cars; a car with liability, collision and comprehensive averaged $1,655.

Comprehensive is the outlier. At $447 it was about 88% above the U.S. average and higher than Colorado's own collision line ($427), which was about 8% below the national figure. Liability was about 6% above. So most of the extra cost lands on drivers who carry comprehensive. Comprehensive covers damage that isn't a collision, such as theft, fire or weather; see how your location shapes a premium.

What Colorado puts in every policy

The Colorado Division of Insurance lists the minimum liability as $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage: 25/50/15. These are floors: a crash with serious injuries or a newer car can cost far more.

• Medical payments coverage of $5,000 is included unless you reject it, in writing or in the same way you applied for the policy.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is optional, but it is included unless you reject it in writing. The Insurance Research Council estimated 19.7% of Colorado drivers were uninsured in 2023, among the higher shares in the country.
• Collision and comprehensive are optional under state law; your lender may require them.

With roughly one driver in five uninsured, dropping uninsured motorist coverage is a larger gamble in Colorado than in most states. Our page on limits and deductibles helps you decide what to keep and what to adjust.

Who sets Colorado prices

The Division of Insurance does not set rates. Insurers file their rates and rating rules with the commissioner, based on their own loss and expense experience, and division staff review those filings (C.R.S. § 10-4-405). Because each company prices its own way, quotes for the same driver can differ, and the division links a premium comparison report from its auto insurance page.

Colorado lets insurers use credit information in personal lines, within limits (C.R.S. § 10-4-116). An insurer may not deny, cancel or refuse to renew a policy on credit information without considering another underwriting factor that is independent of credit. Scores can't be built from income, gender, address or ZIP code, and credit damaged by a divorce or by corroborated identity theft can't be held against you. If credit leads to an adverse action, the insurer must send the notice federal law requires (C.R.S. § 10-4-616). More on credit-based insurance scores.

Coverage for drivers who are turned away

Colorado's assigned-risk plan, listed by its administrator AIPSO as the Colorado Automobile Insurance Plan, serves eligible drivers who can't get coverage in the voluntary market. An agent can apply for you, or call the plan office at (800) 227-4659. Plan premiums are usually higher; our guide to assigned-risk plans explains what to expect.

Ways to bring a Colorado bill down

1. 1 Start with the division's premium comparison. The report linked from its auto insurance page can help you pick which insurers to ask, then get two or three quotes on identical coverage.
2. 2 Look hard at comprehensive. Since it is the costliest line relative to the U.S., test a higher comprehensive deductible with the deductible break-even calculator.
3. 3 Bundle and ask for discounts. Insurers often price home and auto together; see bundling home and auto.
4. 4 Reach the division with a problem. Call 303-894-7499, or 800-930-3745 toll-free from outside the Denver area; complaints can also be filed online.

Questions drivers ask