Guide to auto insurance in Colorado
Colorado insurance quotes should meet the following coverage or financial responsibility at a minimum:
25/50/15 – This is shorthand for the liability policy limits required which means you need a minimum coverage of:
- $25,000 for death or injury to one person;
- $50,000 for death or injury to two or more people; and
- $15,000 for property damage to others
Nearly all car insurance policies have a provision that will adjust your coverage from the minimums required in your state to the minimum insurance or proof of financial responsibility in another U.S. state. So you do not need to get a new insurance policy for each state you are driving through. However, if you buy a policy in a low limits state (like Colorado or Arkansas) but live in a high limits state (like Alaska), insurers will only write a policy where your car is principally garaged. So if your home is in Alaska, you should buy the minimum limits for Alaska.
Colorado’s required insurance limits are low, considering the cost of repair and damages likely to occur in an accident. If you are in a serious collision and the damages you caused are greater than the coverage limits you purchased, you may be personally liable to pay for those damages that exceed your insurance coverage.
Car Insurance Requirements in Colorado
Colorado is a modified comparative fault state with a 50% rule. This is a legal defense that means that a plaintiff can recover for an injury, reducing the amount that the plaintiff can recover based on the percentage of which the plaintiff is at fault if it is determined that his or her fault in causing the injury is less than 50%. If the plaintiff’s fault level reaches 50% or more, he or she cannot recover any damages resulting from the accident.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI)
In Colorado, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) are each misdemeanor offenses. If you are 21 years or older, if you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of .08% or higher while driving, Colorado law presumes you are driving under the influence. If you are 21 years or older, if you have a BAC level of .05% but less that .08% while driving, Colorado law presumes you are driving while ability impaired. If you are under 21, a lower BAC may apply to you.
1st DUI
You will automatically have your license suspended for 9 months and be sentenced to 5 days or up to 1 year of jail time. Jail time can be reduced by completion of an Alcohol and Drug Program. Fines can vary from $600.00 to $1000.00. Mandatory public service from 48 to 96 hours will be required. A SR-22 is required for restoration of license after suspension.
2nd DUI
Your license will automatically be suspended for 1 year. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock device if your last DUI was within 5 years of your second DUI. You will be sentenced to a minimum of 90 days up to 1 year of jail time. Mandatory public service is required for 60 to 120 hours. Fines from $1000.00 to $1500 will be imposed. A SR-22 is required for restoration of license after suspension.
Top Ten Car Insurance Companies in Colorado
These are the top ten car insurance companies ranked by market share in the state:
- State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company
- Farmers Insurance Exchange
- American Family Mutual Insurance Company
- Progressive Direct Insurance Company
- United Service Automobile Association
- Allstate Fire & Casualty Insurance Company
- USAA Casualty Insurance Company
- Safeco Insurance Company of America
- Bristol W Insurance Company
- Geico General Casualty Company
