MoneyGeek found that State Farm is the best and cheapest car insurance company in Colorado after a DUI. This goes for both full coverage and minimum coverage policies.
Auto Insurance
Getting Car Insurance in Colorado After a DUI (2024)
Updated: November 26, 2024
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Key Takeaways
After a DUI in Colorado, the two cheapest providers for full coverage car insurance are State Farm, costing $1,251 annually, and Allstate, with an annual cost of $1,534.
In Colorado, the two cheapest providers for minimum coverage car insurance after a DUI are State Farm, at $612 per year, and GEICO, at $871 per year.
In Colorado, State Farm is the best full coverage car insurance provider after a DUI, offering an annual rate of $1,251, and is highly rated for affordability, customer satisfaction, and financial stability.
An insurance provider can legally deny coverage to drivers with a DUI conviction on their record. If they do choose to grant you coverage after a DUI, expect your rates to go up significantly. Companies do this to compensate for the risk they are taking by insuring a high-risk driver who is more likely to file a claim.
In Colorado, your car insurance rates can increase by as much as 53% for a full coverage insurance policy after a DUI. This is on top of having your license suspended, having limited driving privileges and having mandatory ignition interlocks.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Colorado After a DUI
MoneyGeek conducted a nationwide comparison of auto insurance providers which showed that Progressive and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers after a DUI. Whereas Progressive is the cheapest in the country overall, State Farm provides the cheapest policies in most states, including Colorado.
Cheapest Companies for Full Coverage in Colorado After a DUI
Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, the cheapest car insurance providers in Colorado for a full coverage policy after a DUI are:
- State Farm: $1,251 per year
- Allstate: $1,534 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance for Full Coverage After a DUI
| 1 | State Farm | $1,251 |
| 2 | USAA | $1,348 |
| 3 | Allstate | $1,534 |
| 4 | Travelers | $1,787 |
| 5 | Esurance | $1,843 |
Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage in Colorado After a DUI
Your policy’s coverage level also affects the cost of your car insurance premiums.
MoneyGeek found that the most affordable car insurance companies in Colorado for minimum coverage after a DUI are:
- State Farm: $612 per year
- GEICO: $871 per year
Cheapest Car Insurance for Minimum Coverage After a DUI
| USAA | $556 |
| State Farm | $612 |
| GEICO | $871 |
| Esurance | $944 |
| Allstate | $948 |
| Travelers | $1,049 |
| Nationwide | $1,141 |
| American Family | $1,180 |
| Farmers | $1,329 |
| Progressive | $1,460 |
| MetLife | $1,771 |
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
If cost is your main consideration in buying a policy, you can always purchase the state minimum coverage. It is the cheapest option you’ll find, but it only provides basic coverages which might not be enough to protect you and your assets. With minimum coverage, your out-of-pocket expenses in the wake of a road accident can leave you in a financial bind. We recommend that you look beyond costs when choosing which policy to buy.
Top Car Insurance Companies in Colorado After a DUI
MoneyGeek scored car insurance companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and financial stability, among others, to identify the best insurers for drivers with a DUI conviction. Based on our analysis, the best car insurance company in Colorado for both minimum and full coverage after a DUI is State Farm.
Best Companies for Full Coverage in Colorado After a DUI
Using a unique scoring system, MoneyGeek determined that State Farm and Allstate are the best companies for a full coverage policy after a DUI. These two insurers also provide the cheapest full coverage policies in Colorado for high-risk drivers.
1
State FarmBest full coverage after a DUI
Score:4.5
A State Farm full coverage policy in Colorado after a DUI costs an average of $1,251 per year. This is an 8% increase from the average annual premium of $1,158 for a driver without a DUI record.
More About State Farm
State Farm is one of MoneyGeek’s top-rated insurers, and for good reason. It offers many discounts and its full coverage policies are very affordable for most drivers, including those with a DUI. However, it doesn’t have unique coverages, such as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage.
2
Allstate
Score:4
Allstate’s full coverage car insurance with a DUI in Colorado is priced at $1,534 per year on average, but drivers without a DUI get the same policy for an average of $1,185. This is an increase of over 29% in your average annual premium.
More About Allstate
Although Allstate has a below-average MoneyGeek rating, it scores well in terms of customer satisfaction and is relatively cheap for teen drivers. It also offers unique add-ons like custom parts coverage, but it lacks commonly offered discounts, such as multiple cars or defensive driving discounts.
Best Companies for Minimum Coverage in Colorado After a DUI
If you’re looking for the cheapest possible option for car insurance, you may purchase a minimum coverage policy. However, it usually doesn’t provide adequate protection for most people.
In Colorado, the best car insurance companies providing minimum coverage for those with a DUI are State Farm and GEICO.
1
State FarmBest minimum coverage after a DUI
Score:4
In Colorado, the average minimum coverage policy from State Farm costs an average of $558 per year. But, if you’ve been convicted of a DUI, the same policy becomes more expensive at an average annual cost of $612.
More About State Farm
State Farm is also our top pick for a minimum coverage provider. It is one of MoneyGeek’s top-rated insurers which offers many discounts. State Farm’s minimum coverage policies are very inexpensive for most drivers, including those with a DUI. However, it doesn’t carry options for unique coverages like OEM, accident forgiveness, gap insurance and deductible modification.
2
GEICO
Score:3
Drivers in Colorado with a clean record can get a minimum coverage policy from GEICO at around $373 per year. However, those with a DUI pay around $871 annually for the same policy.
More About GEICO
GEICO also gets our nod as the runner-up for minimum coverage insurer for Colorado drivers with a DUI. It is one of MoneyGeek’s top-rated insurers with a perfect score for financial stability and high ratings for customer satisfaction and claims. Although it provides cheap policies for all types of drivers, unique add-on coverages and rare discounts, GEICO needs to improve on how it resolves complaints.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Colorado After a DUI?
Car insurance rates in Colorado increase by almost 53% after a DUI conviction. Whereas a full coverage policy for someone with a clean record is typically priced at $1,381 per year on average, drivers with a DUI need to pay an average of $2,110 per year for the same policy.
MoneyGeek explains why your premiums increase after a DUI.
How long does a DUI affect the cost of your car insurance?
A look-back period is the amount of time that a DUI conviction remains on your record. These look-back or washout periods give a driver a fresh start, which means that new charges filed after a prior conviction will no longer invoke penalties associated with a subsequent offense.
Unfortunately, in Colorado, the look-back period lasts for a driver’s lifetime. Such an extended look-back period helps identify repeat offenders who are at higher risk of future DUI arrests and involvement in serious road accidents.
Average Cost
Full Coverage
$1,381
Average Cost with DUI
Full Coverage
$2,110Full coverage policy premiums after a DUI cost::$729 more
This is 53% more expensive.
The cost of your Colorado car insurance increases after a DUI since you are already tagged as a high-risk driver. Use MoneyGeek’s auto insurance calculator to get a personalized estimate of your premiums based on your driver profile.
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
In addition to a likely exponential increase in your car insurance rates, there are other DUI-related costs that can hurt you financially, such as:
- Fines, court and attorneys' fees: A DUI conviction often results in substantial fines and various court fees, including paying for an attorney who specializes in DUI cases.
- Towing/impound fee: Following an arrest, you will be unable to drive. You must pay a fee if your car is towed and impounded by the police.
- Drug education and treatment: Colorado requires DUI-convicted drivers to undergo an alcohol or drug education program. Note that this may differ from the DMV requirements.
- DMV reinstatement fee: You’ll need to pay a fee to reinstate your driving privileges after your license has been suspended due to a DUI offense.
- Damages: If you’re found at fault for an accident, you would need to shoulder the cost of property damages and medical care if these exceed the limits of your insurance coverage.
Getting Car Insurance in Colorado After a DUI
Many car insurance companies refuse to cover drivers with a DUI conviction. Being private businesses, insurance providers aim to make a profit while minimizing their exposure to risk. This is why they can legally choose to cancel or decline the renewal of policies for DUI offenders.
Getting insurance in Colorado can be especially challenging since the look-back period extends for a driver’s lifetime. That said, MoneyGeek recommends that you shop around, compare quotes and find an insurance company that will give you the best possible rate for your situation.
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Drivers in Colorado who have been convicted of a DUI are required to have an SR-22 insurance form filed by their insurer to confirm that their policy meets the state’s minimum requirements. Use MoneyGeek’s guide to learn more about SR-22 insurance in Colorado and to find the best and cheapest companies for drivers with a DUI.
Colorado DUI Laws
A DUI carries severe legal consequences. Although DUI penalties tend to vary across states, most include automatic suspension of license, payment of fines and penalty fees, installation of ignition interlock device (IID) and jail time. MoneyGeek goes over Colorado’s DUI laws in the table below.
Driving with a BAC at or above 0.08 is considered a DUI
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream.
In Colorado, the BAC minimum threshold is 0.08. But even if your BAC is under this threshold, you can still get arrested if your driving is noticeably impaired.
Driving with a BAC of 0.15 will result in increased penalties
Colorado drivers with a BAC of 0.15 will be classified as “persistent drunk drivers.” This requires a mandatory ignition interlock for a minimum of one year. During this time, no probationary-restricted license can be issued for whatever reason.
Those with a BAC of 0.20 can get a minimum of 10 days or up to one year of imprisonment, a fine of $600 to $1,500 and 48 to 120 hours of community service, 48 hours of which are mandatory.
License suspension for a first offense
If you are caught driving in Colorado with a BAC of 0.15 or above, your license will be revoked for at least three months.
Limited driving privileges
You will get limited driving privileges during the period of your license suspension.
Ignition interlocks
In Colorado, an ignition interlock system is mandatory for those with a BAC of 0.15 and above and for repeat DUI offenders.
This is also highly incentivized for DUI first offenders.
Open container laws
Under Colorado’s open container laws, it is illegal to have an open container of alcohol in your vehicle.
Auto Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
You can review MoneyGeek’s answers to frequently asked questions about car insurance to have a better understanding of how a DUI affects car insurance in Colorado.
Will my insurer continue to cover me if I get a DUI in Colorado?
This completely depends on your insurance provider. We advise that you check with them directly since Colorado state laws give insurers the right to either cancel your policy, decline to renew it or continue providing you with coverage as a high-risk driver.
How much do car insurance premiums increase in Colorado after a DUI?
Car insurance premiums in Colorado increase by almost 53% after a DUI conviction. Whereas a full coverage policy for someone with a clean record is typically priced at $1,381, drivers with a DUI need to pay an average of $2,110 per year for the same policy.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Colorado after a DUI?
State Farm is the best and cheapest car insurance company in Colorado after a DUI – this goes for both full coverage and minimum coverage policies.
How long will having a DUI affect my car insurance rates?
The look-back period for a DUI in Colorado lasts for a lifetime, so this is typically how long your car insurance premiums will be affected by your DUI record.
How do I get car insurance if I have a DUI?
Getting insurance in Colorado can be especially challenging since the look-back period extends for a driver’s lifetime. MoneyGeek recommends that you shop around, compare quotes and find the insurance company that will give you the best possible rate given your situation.
Methodology
To determine the top companies for individuals with DUIs in Colorado, MoneyGeek analyzed each company’s financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims and affordability based on data and information obtained from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services. The rates above are based on a 40-year-old male with and without a DUI driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE with 12K annual mileage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
sources
- The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. "State Law: DUI Look-Back Periods." Accessed November 26, 2024.
- National Conference of State Legislatures. "Increased Penalties for High Blood Alcohol Content." Accessed November 26, 2024.
- Governors Highway Safety Association. "Alcohol Impaired Driving." Accessed November 26, 2024.
- Department of Motor Vehicles – Colorado. "The DUI Process." Accessed November 26, 2024.
- Department of Motor Vehicles – Colorado. "Alcohol DUI." Accessed November 26, 2024.