Best car insurance companies in Denver
Choosing the best auto insurance company involves more than just picking a popular name. Your rates depend on individual factors like your age, credit score, driving record, and more. For example, you and a friend could get vastly different quotes from The General car Insurance in Denver, Colorado, even if you drive the same car!
Plus, there’s more to great car insurance than the price. Customer service and claims processing matter, too.
To help drivers find the most budget-friendly and reliable insurers in the country, Jerry conducted a nationwide insurance shopping survey. The results were surprising: Denver customers gave mixed reviews to renowned carriers like Allstate and GEICO car insurance in Denver, Colorado, but praised small companies like Mercury Auto and Safe Auto.
It just goes to show the importance of comparing quotes (and customer reviews) before you pick your provider. Jerry can help you do both with free quotes, comparisons, and reviews.
Check out the table below to see how verified policyholders rated the cheapest companies—Travelers, Clearcover, Safeco, and Progressive car insurance—in Denver, Colorado. Click the links to read real customer reviews!
| Insurance company | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost | Cost rating | Overall Jerry rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $50 | $168 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Clearcover | $52 | $147 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Mercury Auto | $70 | $161 | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Safeco | $71 | $185 | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Progressive | $72 | $223 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Safe Auto | $99 | $196 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
How’d we get these scores?
Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.
The best car insurance quotes in Denver, CO
Nestled a mile above sea level beneath the towering Front Range in Colorado, Denver boasts a population of over 700,000. Known for its vibrant cultural scene and sunny days, Denver is one of the most rapidly expanding urban centers in the Western part of the United States.1
Unfortunately, Denver’s unique location—scenic though it may be—comes with unpredictable weather patterns and significant temperature fluctuations.2 Combined with a high cost of living and a rising number of auto thefts, Denver has one of the highest car insurance rates in Colorado.
Denver Car Insurance: Quick Facts
- Denver drivers pay an average of $95 per month for minimum liability insurance.
- Denver drivers pay an average of $251 per month for full coverage.
- Colorado state law only requires 25/50/15 liability coverage.
- Colorado drivers pay the 11th-highest car insurance rates in the nation.
If you want full-coverage car insurance in Denver, you might end up paying over $3,000 per year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find cheap car insurance in the Queen City of the West—it just takes a little research.
How much does car insurance cost in Denver, CO?
Denver residents pay an average of $96 per month (or $1,151 per year) for state minimum coverage. Opt for a full coverage car insurance policy, and your costs will rise to about $252 per month or $3,023 per year. For comparison, Denver drivers pay approximately 43% more than the state and national average for car insurance.
| Coverage type | Denver, CO | Colorado | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | $96 | $60 | $77 |
| Full coverage | $252 | $181 | $165 |
Comparison shopping can help you save even more. Thousands of Denver drivers use Jerry (and its team of over 100 licensed insurance agents) to compare free quotes from dozens of providers so they can get the right coverage for the right price.
However, the average insurance rates are only a small part of the whole story. The quotes you receive are based on your driver profile—including your age, driving history, credit score, and more—making your rates as unique as you are.
The Jerry app can give you a quick and accurate estimate of your auto insurance costs. You’ll get free quotes tailored to your ZIP code, age, vehicle, and complete profile, so you can budget confidently.
Learn more: The average cost of car insurance in the US
Estimate your Denver, CO car insurance costs
Providers calculate your car insurance premiums using a range of factors, including:
- Your age
- Your credit history
- Your deductible
- Your driving record
- Your location
- Your vehicle make and model
While each of these factors can influence your Denver premiums, there are different ways to continue to save on costs.
Age and experience
When it comes to car insurance, lower risks lead to the cheapest rates. That’s why car insurance for senior drivers is fairly affordable, while young drivers pay for their lack of road experience, which makes them more prone to accidents and traffic tickets.
And the situation is only getting worse. A report from the Colorado Department of Transportation in October 2023 recorded a 53% increase in teen fatalities, with 57 Colorado teens getting into car accidents that year. But if you’re a teen driver, this doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with high premiums forever.
Keep in mind that rates tend to drop once drivers turn 25, and while they creep up again around 35-44, they do lower once more for Denver drivers 45+. Take a look at how your rates can change in Denver as you age and gain more experience.
| Age | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | $246 | $459 |
| 22-25 | $141 | $294 |
| 26-34 | $87 | $198 |
| 35-44 | $103 | $200 |
| 45-54 | $83 | $177 |
| 55-64 | $91 | $178 |
| 65+ | $82 | $161 |
Driving record
A clean driving record makes you eligible for the cheapest car insurance coverage in Denver. High-risk drivers with repeated violations, however, pay much more.
A single speeding ticket on your Colorado driving record can increase your rates by an average of 26%. Repeated tickets or an at-fault accident could cause an even higher spike (which could remain for three to five years).
As for more serious moving violations, you’ll pay 61% more if you commit a DUI in Colorado, and 52% more for reckless driving. Check out how different traffic tickets could impact your auto insurance premiums.
| Violation | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal turn | $131 | $1,573 |
| Failure to obey signal | $169 | $2,036 |
| Unsafe operation of a motor vehicle | $176 | $2,115 |
| Defective equipment | $240 | $2,886 |
| Speeding 11-15 MPH over limit | $239 | $2,876 |
| Careless driving | $292 | $3,510 |
| Suspended driver’s license | $332 | $332 |
Vehicle type
Your choice of vehicle helps decide how much you have to pay for auto insurance coverage. It costs more to insure large vehicles like full-size SUVs; the same goes for sports cars and luxury vehicles. Fortunately, the perennially popular Subaru and pickup truck are fairly affordable.
Take a look at the table below to see how much it costs to insure the 10 most popular vehicles in Colorado.3
| Vehicle make and model | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| GMC Sierra | $70 |
| Chevrolet Silverado K1500 | $89 |
| Toyota Tacoma | $101 |
| Subaru Outback | $102 |
| Toyota 4Runner | $112 |
| Ford F-150 | $113 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | $138 |
| Honda CR-V | $140 |
| Subaru Forester | $164 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $190 |
Credit history
There are 47 states that permit providers to use credit scores to set car insurance rates, and Colorado is one of them. Drivers with poor credit scores (under 600) often pay higher rates than those with fair (601-699) and great credit (700+).
The table below shows you just how much money you stand to save with a good credit rating.
| Credit rating | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| < 600 | $197 |
| 601-699 | $162 |
| 700+ | $121 |
ZIP code
Your ZIP code tells your insurance company where you live, and by extension, the local accident rate, crime and vandalism rate, and the amount of congestion you face while driving. Remember, the higher your risks, the higher your rates!
The table below shows the difference in insurance costs between the two cheapest and three most expensive ZIP codes in Denver.
| ZIP code | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 80212 | $114 |
| 80201 | $115 |
| 80203 | $209 |
| 80236 | $218 |
| 80247 | $266 |
Why is car insurance so expensive in Denver?
Denver and Colorado share three factors that make auto insurance rates extremely high:
- The city has a high cost of living and an above-average income level. Denver isn’t just one of the most expensive cities to live in, it’s also one of the most affluent.4 Wealthy residents usually buy expensive cars, which means more expensive claims and higher premiums.
- Denver experiences severe weather. Denver takes the second spot in the country for most frequent hailstorms, which can lead to a spike in car accidents and insurance claims.5
- Over one in ten drivers in Colorado don’t carry insurance. Because 17.5% of Colorado drivers don’t carry insurance6, providers have to absorb more of the costs related to car accidents, so they raise rates to compensate.
However, there are also two factors specific to Denver that can cause premiums to increase:
- Congestion: Denver is the 17th-most congested city in the country, with drivers losing an average of 54 hours each year to sitting in traffic. Studies show increased traffic leads to more car accidents, which increases the rates you pay for commuting in the Mile-High City.
- Car theft hotspot: Denver has the third-highest rate of motor vehicle thefts in a metropolitan hub, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Over 31,000 Denver drivers had their ride stolen in 2022 alone.
Auto insurance requirements for Denver, CO
Drivers pay an average of $95 per month (or $1,151 per year) for minimum liability coverage in Denver. Colorado auto insurance laws require the following coverage limits:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $15,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
Considering Denver’s erratic weather patterns, it’s not recommended to carry only the minimum insurance. An extra coverage option like comprehensive insurance can pay for vehicle repairs or replacements after damage from snow, ice, and hail—and help you save on out-of-pocket costs.
Consider raising your liability limits to at least $100k/$300k/$100k if you live in Denver. Quadrupling your limits will only add a few dollars to your bills per month. You’ll also need a full coverage policy (which includes comprehensive and collision coverage) unless you have enough money to replace your vehicle after a total loss.
Here are a few types of additional coverage you might find useful in Denver:
- Uninsured motorist / underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): UM/UIM coverage covers your and your passengers’ medical bills if you’re hit by one of the state’s many uninsured drivers (or someone who doesn’t have enough liability coverage for costs).
- Medical payments (MedPay): MedPay offers another way to cover your medical expenses, and best of all, it’s a type of no-fault insurance.
- Rental reimbursement: If you have a full coverage auto insurance policy, you can add this option to cover the cost of a rental car while yours is being repaired.
- Towing and labor coverage: Bundling this optional add-on into your regular policy is usually more affordable than joining a roadside assistance club.
FAQ
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How much is car insurance in Denver?
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Is car insurance in Colorado expensive?
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Is car insurance required in Denver?
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Sources
- https://explodingtopics.com/blog/fastest-growing-cities
↩︎ - https://www.city-data.com/city/Denver-Colorado.html ↩︎
- https://datausa.io/profile/geo/denver-co/?compare=united-states ↩︎
- https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-car-owners-seeing-increasingly-higher-insurance-premiums-compared-to-other-states/ ↩︎
- https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists ↩︎
- https://inrix.com/scorecard-city-2022/?city=Denver%20CO&index=69 ↩︎
Jasmine Kanter is a non-fiction writer specializing in comprehensive content that\\\\\\\’s accessible to beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Since joining the Jerry team, Jasmine has penned over 300 articles on car insurance requirements, driving tips, and car maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry, Jasmine worked as a graphic designer, storyboard artist, and French customer service representative. She enjoys collecting hobbies and babysitting ducks in her spare time.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.
