Colorado Car Insurance Laws: Everything You Need to Know

Colorado crash statistics make it very evident how crucial auto insurance is to state citizens. The Colorado State Patrol reported 268 fatal collisions in 2020, the majority of which included speeding, drunk driving, or lane infractions. In the Centennial State, there were approximately 93,000 traffic accidents in 2021, up from a little under 87,000 in the previous year.

All drivers in Colorado are required by law to maintain a minimum amount of auto insurance. Drivers who are discovered without insurance may be subject to fines and lose their licenses. Despite the legal obligations, purchasing auto insurance is a wise financial decision because a comprehensive plan can assist safeguard your assets in the event of an accident.

Every Colorado driver should be aware of the Colorado car insurance laws before getting behind the wheel given the risks that motorists encounter on the road.

Minimum auto insurance requirements in Colorado

Drivers must legally maintain a minimum level of liability insurance in Colorado. Liability insurance will cover the other driver’s losses, such as vehicle damage and medical costs if you cause an accident. If another driver sues you, it might also pay your legal expenses.

The minimum auto insurance coverage in Colorado is 25/50/15. The minimum Colorado auto insurance requirements are as follows:

Coverage Type	Amount
Bodily injury per person	$25,000
Bodily injury per accident	$50,000
Property damage per accident	$15,000

Choosing liability-only insurance will help you pay less each month for coverage. However, in the event of an accident, if you were at fault, low coverage insurance might not provide enough protection. Automobile accidents can be costly and result in significant out-of-pocket costs.

For instance, if you cause a collision that causes $30,000 in property damage but only has the legally required $15,000 in property damage liability coverage, you would be liable for the additional $15,000 in damages. You would be responsible for any expenses that exceed the bodily injury liability limit of your insurance coverage if you cause an accident that leaves another driver with serious injuries and they incur medical bills totaling at least $50,000.

Colorado state prefers the Diminished Value scenario

Colorado is a state that recognizes the diminished value, which means that drivers may seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Even if your car is totally repaired to its pre-loss state after an accident, its resale value drops. Your car’s value will be lower than identical cars that have not been in an accident because of the collision. You can recover any losses you might incur when you sell your car by filing a claim for diminished value.

You can file by getting in touch with the at-fault party’s insurer since Colorado is one of the 15 states that provides compensation for value diminution. In order to submit a claim for diminished value in Colorado, the following conditions must be satisfied:

• If you were the cause of the accident, you are not eligible for compensation.
• Your claim must be supported by documentation. Make sure you are able to offer pictures, documentation of the repairs completed, and a reliable source’s confirmation of the vehicle’s value.
• The three-year statute of limitations in Colorado applies to claims of decreased value.
• For claims of decreased value, Colorado does offer uninsured motorist coverage.

Teen Driver Licensing in Colorado

Colorado teenagers must begin driver education at the age of 15 if they wish to obtain their license when they are 16 years old. Before applying for a Colorado driver’s license, teenagers must have held a learner’s permit for at least a year in that state. According to Colorado law, minors are not allowed to use a phone while driving unless it is an emergency or they need to call the police or fire department. Text messaging while driving is prohibited for drivers 18 and older unless it is an emergency or they need to contact the police or fire service.

New Colorado car insurance laws that you should know

A number of new regulations recently passed in Colorado may have an impact on your auto insurance policy.

• Colorado implemented a rule prohibiting underage drivers from using cell phones at all times in 2009. Only in dire situations—such as when reporting a crime, in a fire, after a car accident, if someone is in danger of losing their life, or when driving recklessly—is it okay to use a cell phone.
• In 2013, Colorado expanded the definition of driving under the influence to include levels of THC(Tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. If it is discovered that a driver has five nanograms or more of THC in their system while they are operating a vehicle, they will be charged with a DUI.
• A driver’s ability to challenge a DUI stop on the basis of reasonable suspicion was restored in 2014.

Colorado penalties for driving without proof of insurance

Driving without insurance is prohibited in most states and carries a range of penalties. The penalty for driving without insurance may include the following and outweigh the monthly insurance payment.

1. Penalties: If you cause an accident, your state’s penalties might total thousands of dollars.
2. Suspension of license: In some places, if you are found driving without insurance, your license may be suspended or revoked.
3. Vehicle being seized: Your automobile might be towed in some areas, and you wouldn’t be able to get it back unless you provided evidence of insurance. You’ll have to pay additional impound and reinstatement fees to get your car returned.
4. Vehicle and medical expenses: If you are in an accident and don’t have insurance, you’ll have to pay for your own damages, which may be very expensive depending on how bad the accident was. You can potentially face legal action for personal injury or property damage.
5. An increase in the cost of car insurance: You become a high-risk driver if you drive without insurance, which can raise your premium. To demonstrate that you can obtain the necessary insurance, Colorado states demand an SR-22 document. Your driving history will suffer if you have an SR22.

Types of Penalties	First Offense	Second Offense	Third and subsequent offense
Fine	Minimum $500	Minimum $1,000	Minimum $1,000
Community service	Possible 40 hours	Up to 40 hours	Up to 40 hours
Imprisonment	N/A	10 days to 1 year in jail	10 days to 1 year in jail
Driving privilege	Suspension of driver’s license, registration and license plates until adequate insurance is obtained	Suspension of driver’s license, registration and license plates for four months	Suspension of driver’s license, registration and license plates for eight months
Reinstatement requirements	$40 fee and SR-22 certificate mandatory for three years	$40 fee and SR-22 certificate mandatory for three years	$40 fee and SR-22 certificate mandatory for three years
Driving record	4 points	4 points	4 points

Optional Colorado Car Insurance Coverages

Now that you know about Colorado liability insurance it is important to understand the other coverage types too:

Comprehensive:

Comprehensive coverage pays for replacement and repair when a driver-uncontrollable occurrence, like as bad weather, theft, vandalism, or running over an animal on the road, damages their car.

Collision:

This insurance has a deductible and pays for repair and replacement expenses if your car collides with another car or a stationary object like a curb or tree.

Medical payments:

This coverage will pay for your medical bills, lost wages, child care costs, and burial costs after an accident, regardless of who was at blame.

Gap insurance:

Gap insurance, also known as loan/lease payoff, will cover the difference between what you owe and your car’s actual cash value in the event that it is totaled if you have financed it.

Roadside assistance:

This extra insurance pays the policyholder for services like towing, gassing up, and hiring locksmiths.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage:

It protects you in the event that the at-fault driver is either uninsured or underinsured.

Rental reimbursement:

If your car needs to be repaired for a longer period of time than 24 hours, this coverage will pay the cost of a rental car.

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Sources:

• Read a report on the Colorado state patrol website about the number of crashes in the state on 26th September 2022.
• Referred to a blog on the CDOT Website to understand the number of accidents in Colorado state on 26th September 2022.