Temporary Car Insurance in Colorado: What Your Short-Term Options Really Are
Temporary car insurance in Colorado isn’t widely available, but Insurify Car allows you to pay for coverage seven days at a time.
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Written byMelanie Lockert
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Melanie LockertInsurance, Personal Finance Writer
10+ years writing on personal finance topics
Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
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Edited byBecky Helzer
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Becky HelzerEditor
Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.
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Reviewed byDavid Marlett
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David MarlettAdvisor
David Marlett is the Managing Director of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. He is a professor in the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at Appalachian State University and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. David also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.
David has taught courses in Risk Management and Insurance for the last 25 years, starting at Florida State University while in the doctoral program. Prior to graduate school, David worked as a commercial lines underwriter for USF&G in Tampa.
He serves as a resource on insurance issues and is a frequent media contributor. He has been quoted by a wide range of outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, Reuters, and NPR.
David has been reviewing articles for Insurify since March 2025.
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Table of contents
When shopping for car insurance in Colorado, you’ll find that most policies have six-month terms, with the cost of liability insurance in Colorado averaging $90 per month.
But in some situations, you might need only short-term insurance, such as if you’re borrowing or renting a car for a few weeks or driving a car that’s usually in storage.
Temporary car insurance in Colorado doesn’t exist. An alternative to temporary insurance is Insurify Car, which lets Colorado drivers pay for auto insurance one week at a time.
Quick Facts
Most car policies last for six or 12 months.
All Colorado drivers must meet the state’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
Insurify Car offers Colorado drivers car insurance that you can buy online and pay for in seven-day increments.
Can you get temporary car insurance in Colorado?
No, temporary car insurance doesn’t exist in Colorado. Most auto insurance policies last for six months or one year, as longer terms allow insurers to more accurately manage costs and predict risk.[1] Policies that let you pay by the week and per-mile insurance may be good options, depending on your needs.
Regardless of what type of policy you choose, Colorado law requires all drivers to have liability insurance with specific minimum coverage limits for bodily injury and property damage.[2]
Insurify Car: Weekly Car Insurance in Colorado
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What ‘temporary car insurance’ usually means
Since temporary car insurance doesn’t exist in Colorado, it typically refers to one of the following. In many cases, same-day coverage is available.
Weekly car insurance
Best for: Colorado drivers who want the flexibility to pay for car insurance by the week and cancel coverage at any time
Insurify car provides same-day coverage and lets you pay in seven-day installments. You can buy a policy that meets Colorado’s car insurance requirements and cancel at any time. You can even choose and set your own cancellation date in the future.
Month-to-month auto insurance
Best for: Coloradans who prefer to split their premium into manageable monthly car insurance payments
Insurance companies don’t sell 30-day policies. “Month-to-month” coverage refers to a six- or 12-month auto insurance policy billed in monthly installments.
Non-owner car insurance
Best for: Colorado drivers who don’t own a car but need car insurance coverage when driving a borrowed vehicle
If you don’t own a vehicle, this policy type provides liability-only coverage when you drive cars you don’t own. For example, it would cover you while driving a friend’s car you borrow regularly or a car-sharing service like Zipcar.
Rental car insurance
Best for: Drivers in Colorado who rent cars and need full coverage that isn’t provided by an existing auto insurance policy
Purchased from a rental car company, rental car insurance protects the car against physical damage if you have only liability insurance or don’t own a car.[3]
Weekly car insurance in Colorado with Insurify Car
Insurify Car offers car insurance to drivers in 16 states, including Colorado. You get fast, easy access to liability insurance you can pay for in small increments every seven days. You can also cancel coverage anytime.
While it’s not temporary car insurance, Insurify Car is an alternative that lets drivers in Colorado pay for liability coverage by the week. Some of its benefits include:
Low up-front insurance costs
A fast and simple quote and purchase process
Same-day coverage and instant proof of insurance
Manageable payments every seven days
Quick and easy policy cancellation
Starting your coverage takes just a few minutes. After you get a quote, you’ll make your first week’s payment to start your policy. To cancel, just log in to your account with your phone number and set a cancellation date.
It’s important to note that Insurify Car provides liability-only coverage, not full coverage. Without comprehensive coverage and collision coverage insurance, your car’s not protected if you’re at fault in an accident.
But if you need liability-only insurance and want the flexibility to pay for it a week at a time, Insurify Car may be a good fit.
Cheapest short-term car insurance in Colorado
While true temporary car insurance in Colorado doesn’t exist, you may be able to find auto insurance companies that offer short-term coverage. Drivers in Colorado pay an average of $108 per month through Insurify Car, or about $27 per week.
When you might need temporary car insurance in Colorado
In certain situations, you might need coverage for a short time to fill a specific need. Here are some common reasons you might need coverage for a short time in Colorado.
Visiting Colorado for several months: If you plan to spend a few months in Colorado, whether skiing near Boulder, enjoying Denver’s culture, or taking classes at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, you might need a policy you can pay for weekly. This type of coverage can be beneficial if you’re borrowing a car and want liability protection.
Buying or selling a car: Drivers in Colorado must have liability insurance at all times. When you’re buying or selling a car, a policy you can pay for by the week helps maintain coverage during the transition.
Borrowing a vehicle: If you rely on public transportation or live in a walkable neighborhood in Arvada or Longmont, you might not have a car. But if you need to borrow one for an extended period, a liability-only policy can help protect you financially if you’re involved in an accident. But it won’t cover the borrowed vehicle if you’re at fault.
Driving a seasonal car: Colorado drivers who enjoy taking a seasonal vehicle out only occasionally can benefit from policy terms that let them pay by the week and cancel coverage after a short time.
Can you get temporary, same-day car insurance in Colorado?
Yes, it’s possible to get same-day car insurance in Colorado, though most major insurers offer policies in six-month increments. While you can buy a six-month policy and cancel coverage early, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.
A policy through Insurify Car provides immediate state-minimum coverage in Colorado that you can pay for weekly and cancel at any time after seven days.
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Minimum car insurance requirements in Colorado
Drivers in Colorado must meet the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements. To comply with state law, Coloradans must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, and $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.
No matter what type of insurance you buy in Colorado, it must meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements. Car insurance policies in the Centennial State include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and $5,000 in medical payments coverage, but you can reject these coverages in writing if you choose.
If your coverage lapses or you cancel your policy without a new one in place, you’ll be at financial and legal risk if you cause an accident. You may also pay higher car insurance rates later, as insurers view you as a high-risk driver.
If you drive without proof of insurance in Colorado, you face a four-point assessment against your driver’s license, a $500 fine, and license suspension until you get the required coverage. You may also be required to get an SR-22 certificate to prove you have insurance, similar to drivers convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).
Coverage Type  | Colorado Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 |
How to get temporary car insurance in Colorado
While there’s no company offering temporary car insurance in Colorado, here’s how to get coverage for a short time.
Determine your coverage needs. Do you need full coverage or liability-only insurance? Would a usage-based or per-mile policy meet your needs? If you’re considering liability-only coverage and prefer low weekly payments, Insurify Car may be a good option.
Compare car insurance companies. Review companies that offer the type of policy you need, and research terms, pricing, and coverage options.
Get multiple quotes. Using an insurance-comparison site lets you enter your personal information once and receive multiple car insurance quotes.
Buy a policy. After researching insurers and getting quotes, choose the policy that provides the best car insurance for your specific needs.
Manage or cancel your policy. Six-month policy periods are standard, but many insurers let you pay for coverage month to month. With Insurify Car, you can pay for your coverage one week at a time or set a cancellation date when you no longer need coverage.
Temporary car insurance in Colorado FAQs
For more information on temporary car insurance in Colorado, see the answers to frequently asked questions below.
Can you get temporary car insurance in Colorado?
No. Temporary car insurance doesn’t exist in Colorado. But with Insurify Car, you can pay for insurance in Colorado in seven-day installments and cancel coverage anytime.
What are other options for short-term car insurance in Colorado?
Short-term car insurance options in Colorado include non-owner policies, rental car insurance, permissive use coverage, usage-based insurance, and pay-per-mile insurance. Coverage options vary by insurance company.
Does temporary car insurance in Colorado meet minimum liability requirements?
Temporary auto insurance alternatives like Insurify Car meet Colorado’s minimum liability requirements. In Colorado, drivers must have at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 in property damage liability.
Can you use temporary car insurance to get Colorado plates or temporary tags?
Because temporary coverage isn’t available in Colorado, the answer is no. But an insurance policy with weekly payments may allow you to get Colorado plates or temporary tags. The main requirement is that you show proof of a valid policy that meets the state’s minimum requirements.
Can you insure a car temporarily in Colorado if it’s registered out of state?
Yes. You may be able to insure a car temporarily in Colorado even if it’s registered out of state, but the policy must meet Colorado’s minimum liability insurance requirements.
Can you buy one-day insurance in Colorado to pass an emissions test?
No. You can’t buy insurance for one day just to pass an emissions test. But you can purchase a standard policy and cancel it early (fees may apply) or get a same-day policy through Insurify Car, which you can cancel anytime.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Insurance Handbook."
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Insurance. "Auto Insurance."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Overview: Rental Car Insurance."
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Melanie LockertInsurance, Personal Finance Writer
10+ years writing on personal finance topics
Host of the Mental Health and Wealth podcast
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
Featured in
Melanie is a blogger, author, and speaker specializing in personal finance and debt management. She’s also the author of the blog and book “Dear Debt.”
Becky HelzerEditor
Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.
David MarlettAdvisor
David Marlett is the Managing Director of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. He is a professor in the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at Appalachian State University and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. David also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.
David has taught courses in Risk Management and Insurance for the last 25 years, starting at Florida State University while in the doctoral program. Prior to graduate school, David worked as a commercial lines underwriter for USF&G in Tampa.
He serves as a resource on insurance issues and is a frequent media contributor. He has been quoted by a wide range of outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, Reuters, and NPR.
David has been reviewing articles for Insurify since March 2025.