8+ years writing about insurance, taxes, and personal finance
Certified public accountant
Janet applies her experience in personal finance, taxes, and accounting to make complex financial topics accessible. Her byline has appeared on numerous web media.
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Cheapest recent rates in Colorado
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $59/mo for liability only and $98/mo for full coverage in Colorado.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Colorado within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 17, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 17, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Colorado within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 17, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 17, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
If you’ve received a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, shopping for car insurance can feel challenging. Some insurance companies won’t sell you an auto policy if you have a DUI on your record, and others might increase your rates.
The national average monthly auto premium for a driver with a DUI is $460 — almost double the average rate for drivers with a clean record. Colorado drivers with a DUI pay a little less than the national average, at $425 per month for auto coverage, but you can find ways to earn cheaper rates.
Here’s what you need to know about car insurance with a DUI in Colorado.
You may need to file an SR-22 form to reinstate your license after suspension.
Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies helps you find the cheapest rates.
What is DUI insurance?
DUI insurance isn’t an official type of car insurance policy. Rather, the term is used after a DUI, as many insurance companies won’t provide coverage to drivers convicted of a DUI. Companies that do offer coverage typically charge higher rates.
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The basics of DUI insurance in Colorado
In Colorado, a DUI conviction stays on your record permanently. However, you won’t necessarily be penalized forever — especially if this is your first offense.
In addition to other penalties, Colorado requires you to carry an SR-22 form for up to three years after a DUI. An SR-22 is a document filed by your auto insurer with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that confirms you have sufficient liability coverage. The insurance company will notify the DMV if your coverage lapses or you cancel your policy.[1]
This means you need to notify your current insurance company if you have a DUI so it can help you file the SR-22 form. If you want to switch coverage to another insurance company during that three-year period, you’ll need to inform the insurer that you have a DUI on your record.
As a result, you may have difficulty finding affordable coverage because companies charge much higher insurance premiums for drivers with a DUI than drivers with a clean record.
DUI insurance rates in Colorado vs. the national average
In Colorado and elsewhere in the country, you’ll face higher car insurance premiums with a DUI on your record than without.
DUI Rates in Colorado vs. The National Average
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest DUI insurance in Colorado
Depending on your chosen level of coverage, the cost of DUI insurance in Colorado ranges between $143 and $462 per month from the cheapest car insurance companies. State Farm, USAA, and American Family offer the lowest average monthly quotes for liability and full-coverage insurance.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
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Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
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How long will a DUI affect your car insurance premium?
A DUI conviction has a significant effect on your car insurance premiums.
“Depending on the insurance company, getting a DUI can increase your rates by a few hundred dollars to over $1,000,” says Zack Fortman, personal lines and office manager at Fortman Insurance Services.
Though a DUI remains on your driving record permanently in Colorado, you likely won’t face penalties after several years. In most states, a DUI stays on your driving record for five to 10 years.
“A DUI will affect your insurance rates for three years and could prevent getting insurance through some carriers for five years,” Fortman says.
Insurance companies consider you a high-risk driver if you have a DUI, and they charge higher rates to account for that increased risk. In Colorado, average monthly premiums are nearly double for drivers with a DUI on their driving record compared to people with a clean record.
Even if you have limited options, shopping around for quotes from multiple insurers after a DUI can help you find affordable coverage.
DUI penalties for drivers in Colorado
Colorado takes DUI charges seriously, and the state imposes harsh penalties on drivers convicted of this offense. The severity of the punishment depends on several factors, such as your blood alcohol content (BAC) level, number of previous offenses, and circumstances surrounding the arrest.
For a first-time DUI offense, you can expect the following penalties:
Nine months of license revocation
A misdemeanor on your criminal record
Five days to one year in jail (not mandatory)
Fine or parole payment between $600 and $1,000
48 to 96 hours of community service
You may qualify to reduce the criminal penalties by entering a plea bargain or agreeing to participate in an alcohol or drug treatment program. But you can’t reduce the administrative penalty of license revocation.[2]
Penalties increase in severity for subsequent DUI offenses.
SR-22 certificate in Colorado
If you have a DUI conviction in Colorado, you’ll need to obtain an SR-22 form through your insurance company. This form verifies to the state that you carry the minimum amount of liability coverage required and confirms the insurance company will notify the Colorado DMV if you cancel your coverage or it lapses for any reason.
To file an SR-22 certificate, you’ll need to contact your insurance company. Not all insurers issue SR-22s, so you’ll need to shop around for a new policy if your current insurer doesn’t. Insurance companies may charge a filing fee between $15 and $25 for SR-22 certificates.
The state will re-suspend your license if your insurance company notifies the DMV of a policy lapse or cancellation. If you decide to change insurance companies while you have an SR-22 in effect, you should plan on getting a new SR-22 before the old one expires to avoid having further suspension.[3]
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DUI car insurance in Colorado FAQs
You may run into issues when finding or maintaining insurance coverage after a DUI. This information should provide insight and help you navigate the process.
Do you need DUI insurance if you don’t have a car?
It’s possible. If you don’t have a car, you may still need DUI insurance in Colorado. Nonowner car insurance provides the state minimum liability insurance for when you drive a rental or borrow someone else’s car.
The insurance company providing your nonowner car insurance coverage needs to issue an SR-22 certificate to the Colorado DMV on your behalf.
Do you have to tell your insurance company about a DUI conviction?
Yes. If you have a DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) on your record in Colorado, you must notify your car insurance company in order to have it issue an SR-22.
Even if you don’t notify your insurance company, it will find out. Insurance companies typically check their customers’ driving records anytime they need to make coverage changes or renew the policy.
Can you get insurance after a DUI conviction?
Yes. You can find car insurance if you have a DUI. Many insurance companies view drivers with a DUI as high risk, so some companies may refuse to insure you or charge significantly higher premiums.
But it’s possible to obtain affordable car insurance after a DUI conviction by shopping around. You should also do your best to avoid getting any other tickets or having accidents during the three years following your DUI to demonstrate safe driving tendencies.
Can your car insurance be canceled after a DUI?
Yes. Your auto insurer can cancel or choose not to renew your car insurance after a DUI conviction.
Insurance companies can’t simply cancel your insurance coverage mid-term for no reason, but they can cancel your policy because of license suspension or revocation, failure to pay premiums on time, or evidence of false statements made on an application or claim.
How long does a DUI affect your insurance in Colorado?
A DUI conviction stays on your driving record permanently and will generally affect your insurance rates for at least three years in Colorado. As a high-risk driver, you’ll face higher rates from your auto insurer.
The state requires you to carry an SR-22 certificate proving you have the minimum insurance coverage required. Many insurance companies charge a fee of $15 to $25 to file an SR-22, which adds to the overall expense of insuring your vehicle.
How much does DUI insurance cost in Colorado?
Colorado drivers pay average car insurance rates of $424 per month after a DUI conviction. The cost of insurance after a DUI ultimately depends on factors like your driving record, age, and the severity of the offense. Rates from the cheapest car insurance companies range between $143 for liability coverage and $462 per month for full coverage.
Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation. She's passionate about making complicated financial topics accessible to readers. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and son and their rescue dog, Dexter. Visit her website at www.jberryjohnson.com.
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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