Insurance Requirements

Colorado law requires that vehicles driven on public roads be insured. Insurance companies must be licensed or authorized to sell insurance in Colorado.

Two laws have been enacted to ensure Colorado motorists comply with mandatory auto insurance laws:

  • CRS 42-3-105 (1) (d) (I) 
    • This law states that the County Clerk and Recorder Office shall not register a motor vehicle unless the applicant has a complying motor vehicle insurance policy pursuant to part 6 of article 4 of title 10, CRS, or a certificate of self-insurance in full force. 
  • CRS 42-7-604 
    • This law requires the State of Colorado to contract with a provider to develop and maintain a database of insured vehicles. Any insurance company that writes vehicle liability policies in Colorado must report new policyholders and canceled policies to the provider at least monthly.

Acceptable forms of proof of insurance for the specific vehicle to be registered can include, but might not be limited to, a paper card, email printout, computer information visible on the phone or another device, or a faxed copy (i.e., "any legible, visible form") of one of the following documents.

  • A letter from your insurance agent or insurer on company letterhead verifying insurance coverage
  • The declaration page from the insurance policy
  • An insurance binder or policy
  • An insurance card for your vehicle

Any of the above-mentioned forms of proof of insurance must include:

  • The effective dates of coverage
  • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • The make and year of the vehicle
  • The owner's name or a name other than the registered owner’s name is acceptable if the VIN on the registration and the VIN of the insurance card match.
    • Proof of insurance is unacceptable if the insurance card is in the previous owner’s name.

The minimum coverage required for compliance are:

  • $25,000 legal liability for bodily injury or death to any one person in any one accident
  • $50,000 legal liability coverage for bodily injury or death to all persons in any one accident
  • $15,000 property damage

Visit the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies for further information regarding automobile insurance requirements, additional coverage, recent news, and other helpful insurance topics.