Colorado Auto Insurance

The state of Colorado uses a Tort insurance system, which means that whoever is found at fault in an accident must pay for the damage and the medical bills of all parties involved.

Minimum insurance requirements

Liability insurance is mandatory in Colorado. The lower coverage limits imposed by the state are of 25/50/15:

• $25,000 per injured passenger, but not more than $50,000 for the whole accident;
• $15,000 to cover any property damage incurred by other people involved in the accident.

Average Liability costs

The average Liability policy in Colorado costs $1,983, much higher than the nation-wide average of $1,678. There are, however, major cities across the state where insurance is much cheaper: $1,493 in Denver, $1,438 in Colorado Springs, $1,434 in Westminster and $1,063 in Fort Collins.

Use of cellphones when driving

New drivers under 18 aren’t allowed to use a cellphone altogether. Texting while driving is banned for all driver categories.

Teenage driving laws

Colorado uses the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system, and kids over 15 may get a provisional license. Until they turn 18, several restrictions will apply:

• they cannot carry passengers under 21 until they have at least six months of driving experience (twelve months or more for two or more underage passengers)
• they may only drive between midnight and 5am when they have had their license for at least one year;

Violating these restrictions leads to fines, community service, license suspensions or inability to insure a vehicle.

Driving without insurance in Colorado

Penalties for driving uninsured in Colorado are above average.

For the first offense you will be fined a minimum of $500 and have your license suspended until you can prove that you are insured. At a second offense you will be fined a minimum of $1,000 and your license will be suspended for four months. At a third violation you risk a fine of $1,000 or more, some hours of community service and your license will be suspended for 8 months.

Moreover, the court may add community service hours to any of the above, and you will get a SR-22 filing requirement for three years.