Driving in Colorado could cost you.
Colorado ranks fifth on the list of states with the most expensive car insurance, according to online insurance marketplace Insure.com. The average full-coverage premium in Colorado is $3,222 annually, almost 28% higher than the national average.
Factors like the state’s severe weather, which can lead to expensive car repair claims, and the high rate of uninsured motorists contribute to the high costs, per Insure.com.
One way to trim your costs is by shopping around to find the best coverage for your money.
Here’s what you need to know about the best car insurance in Colorado.
Best car insurance in Colorado
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Best for affordability: Progressive
Who’s this for? Progressive’s low rates allow Coloradans to get the coverage they need without hurting their budgets. Drivers can also save further with discounts like its online signing discounts and the company’s Snapshot telematics program, which tracks your braking, acceleration, driving time and mileage, and includes a discount just for signing up.
Standout benefits: Progressive could be a good fit for households with multiple cars, as insuring two or more cars saves customers an average of 12%, according to the brand.
Progressive Auto Insurance
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Policy highlights
Progressive offers an array of riders, including rideshare insurance and a Deductible Savings Bank that deducts $50 each policy period you go without a claim. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers unexpected major systems failures.
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Accident forgiveness
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Availability
Progressive auto insurance is available nationwide
Pros
- Available in all 50 states
- Low rates for drivers with DUIs
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers vanishing deductible as well as accident forgiveness
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rate increase
Best for bundling: American Family CONNECT
Who’s this for? Colorado homeowners can save by bundling their property and auto insurance together. This brand offers a long list of discounts to help homeowners save on their coverage, and its parent company, American Family Insurance, earned top marks for customer satisfaction in homeowners insurance in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction surveys.
Standout benefits: Costco members can save even more with American Family CONNECT, thanks to its special discounts and perks like waived auto glass repair or replacement deductibles.
American Family Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
American Family offers affordable car insurance with more than a dozen discounts to further lower your premium. While its not available nationwide, American Family offers quotes online or through an agent, depending on your preference.
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App available
Pros
- Low NAIC complaint index
- Offers gap coverage
- More than 15 total discounts available
- Ability to bundle home and auto insurance for a discount up to 23%
Cons
- Only available in 19 states
- Low customer review BBB rating
- Slightly higher prices than some car insurance competitors
Best for teachers: Horace Mann
Who’s this for? Teachers, educators, school employees and their families can find affordable rates with Horace Mann, as well as special features just for school-related activities.
Standout benefits: Horace Mann also offers homeowners insurance to bundle and save.
Horace Mann Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
Horace Mann Insurance offers special perks to educators, including rate discounts, new car replacement coverage and no deductible for collisions or vandalism losses on or near school property.
Pros
- New car replacement coverage for teachers
- $1,000 in property coverage if educational items are stolen/damaged
- Deductible waived for collisions or vandalism claims near school property
Cons
- Most benefits are limited to educators
- personal injury protection and MedPay not offered
- Above-average volume of complaints
Best for bad credit or driving record: Bristol West
Who’s this for? If your credit isn’t great, or if you have a few blemishes on your driving record — like tickets or accidents — getting insurance is still possible with Bristol West. This brand specializes in covering these drivers and is available in Colorado.
Standout benefits: Bristol West has affordable payment plans that allow you to divide the cost of coverage over the year.
Bristol West Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
A division of Farmers Insurance, Bristol West has been offering auto insurance coverage in Florida and in 42 other states since 1973. It works with customers with poor and no credit scores, as well as high-risk drivers. The brand offers a convenient online platform to access your policy and make claims.
Pros
- Offers flexible monthly payment options
- Online claims filing and policy management available
- Rideshare coverage available
- SR-22 and FR-44 policies available
Cons
- High NAIC complaint index
- Only offers car insurance, so there are limited opportunities to bundle
- Doesn’t offer discounts
Best for young drivers: AAA
Who’s this for? Younger drivers under age 25 can get affordable prices from AAA, and good students can save even more with a discount for maintaining a grade point average above 3.0.
Standout benefits: If you own a new car, AAA offers gap insurance that can help cover the difference between your car’s remaining loan balance and its depreciated value if it’s totaled — a feature not all insurers offer.
AAA Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
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Policy highlights
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a nationwide network of motor clubs offering car insurance underwritten by third parties, so coverage options and customer service may vary by state. Membership in AAA provides access to benefits like roadside assistance, identity theft protection and discounts on travel, dining and shopping.
Pros
- AAA membership includes roadside assistance, travel planning services and other benefits
- Most AAA plans offer rideshare insurance, gap insurance, abd enhanced total loss replacement coverage
- AAAdrive monitors driving habits and discounts premiums for good behavior behind the wheel.
Cons
- Offerings vary by region
- AAA membership may be required for coverage
- Policies are underwritten by third parties
Best for military members and veterans: USAA
Who’s this for? U.S. military members, veterans and their families can qualify for USAA’s affordable rates. The brand’s coverage is available in all 50 states, making it easier if you move out of state later.
Standout benefits: USAA’s SafePilot Miles program is pay-per-mile option that is ideal for retirees and work-from-home professionals.
USAA Auto Insurance
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Policy highlights
Available to service members, veterans and their families. Add-ons include rideshare insurance, classic cars, roadside assistance, commercial auto and rental car reimbursement.
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Discounts
20% safe driver discount, 10% off for bundling auto and home/renters insurance, 10% discount when you enroll in SafePilot telematics program and up to 30% off at renewal.
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Usage-based insurance
SafePilot Miles saves low-mileage drivers almost 20%, with variable premiums based on mileage.
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Availability
USAA auto insurance is available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Pros
- Cheapest insurer for liability policies
- Stellar customer satisfaction scores
- Available in all 50 states
Cons
- Limited to military families and veterans
- No physical branches
- Customer service not available 24/7
- Safe-driver discount not available in every state
How much is car insurance in Colorado?
The average cost of car insurance in Colorado is $1,336 for six months, according to April 2026 data from The Zebra. However, not everyone in Colorado will pay the same amount.
Those in ZIP codes that are more urban tend to pay more than those in rural zip codes, so those who live in Denver or Boulder might pay more than those living in the eastern plains.
And, factors about you — and any other drivers on your policy — may also come into play. The amount you drive, your credit score, and your driving record will also influence the price you’ll pay.
Finally, your car is a factor: those with more expensive cars and cars with more unique parts, like Teslas and electric vehicles, typically pay more for car insurance than more common, inexpensive cars.
What car insurance is required in Colorado?
According to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Industries’ Division of Insurance, this state requires drivers to have at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury coverage, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident and $15,000 for property damage coverage to drive legally in the state. This is sometimes written as 25/50/15.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in Colorado is optional. And, collision and comprehensive insurance are optional, unless you have an auto loan or lease that requires these coverages.
How to save on car insurance in Colorado
If you want to save on your car insurance in Colorado, there are a few steps you can take.
- Raise your credit score:Your credit score often determines how much you’ll pay for car insurance, and it is considered a factor in Colorado. Giving your score a boost by paying bills on time and in full could mean savings on your premium.
- Increase your deductible: Your deductible is the amount you’d need to cover on your own if something unexpected happened to your car and you needed to file a claim. Opting for a higher deductible could lower your deductible, but you’ll need to make sure you could reasonably cover it if you needed to.
- Bundle your home and auto insurance: Getting both your renters or homeowners insurance from the same company as your auto insurance typically yields a discount, sometimes as high as 20%.
- Pay in full and up front: Car insurance companies often tack on installment fees if you break up your payment over time. If you’re able, paying for your policy in full could not only help you avoid these fees, but you could also get a discount.
Colorado car insurance FAQs
How much does it cost to insure a car in Colorado?
The average car insurance cost in Colorado is about $1,336 every six months. However, prices vary based on things like your ZIP code, coverage add-ons, the type of car you drive and even your credit score.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Colorado?
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At CNBC Select, our mission is to deliver high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make informed financial decisions. Every car insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products.While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content independently of our commercial team and any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on maintaining high journalistic standards and ethics.
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Our methodology
CNBC Selectreviewed more than 25 top car insurance companies offering policies in Colorado, focusing on cost, coverage, customer service, availability and online experience.
Information on average annual premiums is based on CNBC Select’s review of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Private Passenger Automobile Premium Comparison Report.
We incorporated customer satisfaction scores fromJ.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Better Business Bureau, as well as financial strength ratings fromA.M. Best.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on that criteria, our selections for the best car insurance companies in Colorado are:
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
