Cheapest Auto Insurance in Boulder, Colorado (2024)

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is full of dazzling sandstone formations called the Flatirons that draw visitors from miles around. These visitors join thousands of other Colorado drivers on Boulder’s roads, which is one of the many factors that influence the area’s car insurance rates. The city's severe weather and climate hazards also play a role in Boulder's car insurance rates.

Boulder’s overall average monthly car insurance cost is $137, which is slightly less than the statewide overall average of $159 per month. Your premium may be more or less depending on things like your driving record, ZIP code, and car type.

Here’s what you should know about comparing quotes and finding affordable coverage in Boulder.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Boulder

Before you begin comparing rates for car insurance in the Boulder area, know that the best auto insurance policy for you might not be the cheapest. Instead, look for the insurer that can provide you with the exact coverage you need for the price that fits well within your budget.

Best insurer for full coverage: State Farm

Best insurer for military families: USAA

Best insurer for students: American Family

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Boulder

It’s important to find the right auto insurance coverage for your needs, even if it’s not the cheapest auto insurance coverage. Rates change often, as do other savings incentives. To get the cheapest car insurance in Boulder, consider these tips:

• Ask about loyalty perks. Your insurer may offer special discounts for longtime policyholders or give you a discount when bundling multiple policies, such as auto insurance and other personal insurance like homeowners insurance or renters insurance.

• Ask about group insurance. If you belong to certain professional organizations, like an alumni group, or have certain employee benefits, you may be eligible for a cheaper group insurance policy.

• Shop around. Since rates and incentives change regularly, it pays to shop around. You can use online comparison sites to see multiple car insurance quotes in minutes.

• Reconsider coverage. If you drive an older, lower-value vehicle, it may not be worth insuring it with a full-coverage policy. Consider dropping optional coverages or reducing policy limits to save money.

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Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Boulder: State Farm

All Boulder residents need to meet the minimum auto insurance requirements, which is what liability-only coverage provides. Even when you compare car insurance rates from different companies, each insurer will offer the same state-required minimum levels of insurance under their liability-only auto insurance policies.

Liability-only coverage in Boulder costs an average of $86 per month.

Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for liability insurance in Boulder.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Boulder: State Farm

Insurers don’t have a set definition for full-coverage car insurance, but this type of policy usually includes comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, along with liability injury coverage and property liability coverage.

A full-coverage policy is typically more expensive than a liability-only policy, as it adds more financial protection to your coverage. While liability insurance covers injuries and damages you cause to others and their property, full coverage pays for your own damages and injuries — depending on the included coverages.

Full-coverage policies in Boulder cost $189 per month, on average.

If you want the cheapest full-coverage insurance in Boulder, start your search with the insurers below.

Car insurance requirements in Colorado

Increased public transportation between Boulder and Denver via the EcoPass, Neighborhood Pass, and CollegePass programs isn’t the only thing that’s changed for commuters since 2003. In the same year, Colorado changed from a no-fault state to an at-fault state. This means that drivers at fault in an accident are responsible for paying for the damages and injuries they cause to other parties. Drivers can usually pay for these losses through their liability insurance.

The current minimum insurance coverage state law requires includes bodily and property liability coverage.^[1]

While meeting Colorado’s minimum insurance requirements is enough to drive legally, it may not be enough coverage for everyone. Additional protection is available if you want more coverage than the minimum requirements provide. Colorado drivers could consider adding more auto insurance coverage, such as:

• 

  Comprehensive coverage

  Comprehensive insurance provides protection against non-collision events like vandalism, theft, fire, and natural disasters.

• 

  Collision coverage

  Collision insurance protects you if you hit a stationary object or another vehicle, even if you’re at fault. It also covers rollover accidents and damage from hitting a pothole.

• 

  Medical payments coverage

  Medical payments insurance covers medical expenses and funeral costs for you and your passengers. Colorado requires insurers to offer a minimum of $5,000 in MedPay coverage, but you can decline it in writing if you don't want the coverage.

• 

  Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

  Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries if the driver that hit you doesn’t have sufficient insurance coverage. Colorado requires insurers to offer this coverage to all policyholders. But if you don't want it, you can decline it in writing.

• 

  Accident forgiveness

  Purchasing optional accident forgiveness before an accident occurs can help ensure your car insurance premium doesn't rise after your first at-fault accident. Keep in mind, though, that you'll generally need to have a clean driving record for at least three years to qualify for this coverage.

• 

  Gap insurance

  If you've leased or financed your vehicle, gap insurance can offer greater financial protection in case your car is totaled. Gap coverage can pay the difference between your remaining loan or lease balance and your car insurance payout. Without gap insurance, you could be on the hook for paying of your car loan or lease if your car is totaled.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Your car insurance premiums with a clean driving record will likely be much lower than if you have an incident on your driving record. Incidents can include things like speeding tickets and other traffic violations, driving under the influence, and being in an at-fault accident.

These incidents can affect your rate in different ways, but all are traffic violations that ultimately may lead to your insurer paying out a claim.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm

No matter the roadway — but especially in construction zones and during inclement weather — speeding increases your chances of getting into a car accident. Speed is a contributing factor in car crashes, so it makes sense that an insurer might raise your rates for several years when you get a speeding ticket, even if you weren’t involved in an accident.^[2]

Boulder drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $127 per month for liability coverage and $280 per month for full coverage.

If you need cheaper rates after getting a speeding ticket, check out the table below for the cheapest liability rates in Boulder for drivers with this incident.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm

Boulder had more than 1,400 traffic accidents in 2023, resulting in three fatalities and 470 injuries, according to Colorado Department of Transportation data. An at-fault accident — even when there are no injuries or significant property damage — is an incident that may raise your rates. Filing an at-fault claim forces your insurer to pay money for your claim; it’ll likely raise your rates to compensate for its financial loss.

Liability insurance costs $120 per month, on average, for drivers in Boulder with an accident.

Here are the liability rates of some of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Boulder for drivers with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm

Colorado has a high conviction rate for DUI charges, and officers can arrest a driver with any BAC if they seem impaired.^[3] A DUI is a serious offense. In Colorado, DUIs stay on your motor vehicle record for 10 years, so people in Boulder who drive under the influence should anticipate high rate increases after a conviction. Some insurers may even drop them from the policy.

Boulder drivers with a DUI pay a monthly average of $138 for liability coverage. The cost for a full-coverage policy jumps to $303 per month.

The table below shows the liability rates of the cheapest auto insurers for drivers with a DUI in Boulder.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm

Based on state data, it seems that as the senior population in Colorado increases, so does the number of fatal crashes.^[4] Boulder drivers should anticipate a rate increase as they reach age 70, even if they’ve seen a rate decrease since they turned 25. This is because older adults have an increased risk of accidents.^[5]

Senior drivers in Boulder pay $62 per month for a minimum-coverage policy, on average. Check out affordable rates for senior drivers in the table below.

Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm

In the Boulder area, distracted driving was a factor in 17% of fatal crashes for drivers between 15 and 20 years old.^[4] Boulder teens should expect higher rates than drivers of other age groups, including young drivers between 20 and 25 years old. Across the nation, teens have a higher risk of fatal car accidents due to inexperience, overconfidence, increased distractions, and risky driving behaviors.

Liability-only insurance for teens in Boulder costs $157 per month, and full coverage costs $345 per month, on average.

Great ways for teen drivers to get the cheapest rates for their car insurance in Boulder County include driving a car with the latest safety features, completing driving safety courses, staying on their parents’ insurance policies, and qualifying for good student discounts. Minor teens can't legally buy their own car insurance policy without the written consent of a parent or guardian.

You can see average liability rates for teen drivers in Boulder in the table below.

Boulder car insurance quotes by credit tier

As you shop for insurance coverage, you should be aware that Colorado state law allows insurance companies to evaluate your credit history, in addition to other personal information, when determining your rates. Though it’s just one of many factors, drivers with excellent or good credit scores typically get lower rates than drivers with poor credit scores.

Is car insurance more expensive in Boulder?

The overall average cost of car insurance in Boulder is $137, which is less than the statewide average of $159 and the national average of $158.

Car insurance costs can vary between Colorado cities, mainly due to crash rates, traffic density, vehicle theft and vandalism rates, and population differences among ZIP codes. In the Boulder area, for instance, costs may be lower than in a city like Denver, as the state’s capital has significantly more motor vehicle thefts.^[6]

More cities in Colorado

Here’s how the average cost of car insurance in Boulder compares to average rates in other Colorado cities.

Boulder car insurance FAQs