Full-time writer for 5+ years
Two-time Emmy Award nominee
A Harvard graduate, Mark has worked as a freelance personal finance and tech writer. He’s also written for Saturday Night Live.
Featured in
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
Updated November 21, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
Rideshare companies — also known as transportation network companies (TNCs) — have exploded in popularity over the past decade. But if you drive for a company like Uber or Lyft, you may experience gaps in coverage while on the job. That’s why all rideshare drivers should look into rideshare insurance.
Even though Colorado doesn’t require rideshare insurance, it still might be a good option. Many insurers in the state offer it as an add-on to your personal auto insurance policy. Here’s what you should know about the best rideshare insurance policies in Colorado, how much this coverage costs, and Colorado laws around ridesharing.
State Farm, USAA, and American Family are popular rideshare insurance companies in Colorado.
Colorado rideshare insurance costs $200 per month, on average.
Ridesharing is split into three phases, with coverage varying based on the phase you’re in.
Cost of rideshare insurance in Colorado
Rideshare insurance in Colorado costs $200 per month, on average. Drivers pay an average of $280 per month for full-coverage rideshare insurance and $120 per month for liability-only insurance.
The table below shows the cheapest companies for rideshare insurance in Colorado along with their average monthly premiums.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $93 |
USAA | $119 |
American Family | $127 |
GEICO | $142 |
Allstate | $144 |
Nationwide | $154 |
Sun Coast | $154 |
Root | $165 |
Best rideshare insurance companies in Colorado
Several car insurance companies in Colorado offer rideshare insurance as an add-on to your insurance policy. Below are some of the best options for rideshare drivers in Colorado.
State Farm: Best for drivers on a budget
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $46/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $97/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Charles
November 19, 2024
New Car Price
Ronald
November 19, 2024
State Farm Experience: 35 Years+
David
November 19, 2024
Too expensive
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Colorado, and the company claims its rideshare endorsement will add only 15%–20% to your current premium. State Farm’s rideshare endorsement extends your standard policy so that your coverage kicks in while you work for Uber and Lyft — but it doesn’t extend to Instacart or delivery services.
Low rates
Several available discounts
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southwest region
May limit coverage for high-mileage rideshare drivers
No coverage for Instacart or similar services
Some customers complain of high rates
USAA: Best for military members
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $59/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $125/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
USAA offers drivers the chance to add rideshare coverage to their existing policy, filling any gaps in coverage while on the job. USAA has one of the lowest average rates for rideshare coverage in Colorado. But drivers should remember that USAA is only available for military members, veterans, and their families.
Low rates
Highly rated mobile app
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southwest region
Only available to military members, veterans, and their families
Certain liability limits required to qualify for rideshare coverage
Rideshare coverage not available in all U.S. states
American Family: Best for customer service
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.1 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $63/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $134/mo |
Drivers appreciate the responsive customer service and reliability but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the responsive customer service and reliability but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Stephanie
November 5, 2024
It started out okay. My six-month policy was over and immediately, I received a rate hike of 124 dollars. I question why this is the case as I am an excellent driver. I'm tired of feeling punished for the actions of other irresponsible drivers. Additionally, I was informed that my insurance will continue to increase and they don't foresee any changes soon. It's not something I'm looking forward to. Thanks!
Devona
November 5, 2024
Line by Line to Save Money
Joseph
November 4, 2024
Looking for Better
American Family has one of the highest J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores in Colorado, trailing only CSAA and Auto-Owners. AM Best also awarded American Family a financial strength rating of A (Excellent). While American Family’s average rideshare insurance rate is higher than State Farm, it’s a good choice for drivers seeking excellent service.
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the Southwest region
Many available discounts
High AM Best financial strength rating
Rideshare coverage doesn’t apply to delivery drivers
Available in only 19 states
Some insurers may be cheaper
Rideshare insurance requirements in Colorado
A rideshare driver’s time is split into different phases — and coverage varies by phase.[1] For instance, coverage may apply differently before you’ve picked up a passenger versus after. Here’s a closer look at the three phases:
In Phase 1, the driver is driving for personal use with the rideshare app turned off. Your personal auto policy covers you over this period.
In Phase 2, the driver has the rideshare app turned on but hasn’t received a ride request. During these periods, Uber and Lyft both provide third-party liability coverage in the following amounts:
$50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
$100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$25,000 in property damage liability coverage
In Phase 3, the driver has the rideshare app turned on and is either driving to pick up a passenger or driving a passenger to their location. Uber and Lyft both offer $1 million in auto liability coverage for an accident during this phase.
In Colorado, Uber and Lyft also include uninsured/underinsured bodily injury liability coverage and collision/comprehensive coverage up to the actual cash value of your vehicle, assuming your personal auto policy includes these coverages.
Rideshare coverage kicks in to fill any coverage gap. For instance, Uber and Lyft don’t provide collision coverage while the app is turned on and you’re waiting for a request. But rideshare insurance can fill that gap, kicking in to cover damage to your car if you get in a crash during this period of time.
Requirements to drive for Uber and Lyft in Colorado
Drivers must meet certain criteria to drive for a rideshare service. These requirements vary state to state and even city to city, in some cases, but you can see requirements in Colorado below.
Rideshare car requirements
In order to drive for Lyft in Colorado, your vehicle:[2]
Must be a 2009 model or newer
Must have four doors
Must have five to eight seats (including the driver’s)
Must not be a taxi, stretch limo, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle
Must not be a salvage, non-repairable, or rebuilt title
Uber has similar requirements, though criteria are more stringent for drivers who want to drive for UberBlack or UberBlack SUV.[3]
Rideshare driver requirements
Drivers in Colorado must meet the following personal criteria to drive for Uber or Lyft:
Must have a valid driver’s license
Must pass a driver screening, which includes a driving history check and criminal background check
Must have a smartphone that can run the Uber or Lyft app
For Lyft, drivers must be at least 25 years old. The minimum age for Uber drivers varies by state. In Colorado, drivers as young as 21 can drive for Uber. Drivers also must provide valid vehicle registration forms, a passing vehicle inspection form, proof of Colorado residency, proof of vehicle insurance, and a valid driver profile photo. These can be uploaded through the app.
Some Colorado cities have specific requirements. For instance, the city of Telluride advises Lyft drivers to obtain a business license. And drivers in Vail must obtain a permit to drive for Uber or Lyft, which costs $50.
Be sure to check the driver requirement pages for Uber and Lyft to ensure your vehicle and documentation meet all criteria.
Types of rideshare insurance coverage
Rideshare drivers should make sure they have the following insurance coverages:
Liability coverage
If you get in an at-fault accident while driving for Uber or Lyft, liability insurance covers damage to the other driver’s vehicle.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
If you’re driving for a rideshare service and get in a car accident with a driver who doesn’t have sufficient auto insurance, or doesn’t have insurance, this coverage will kick in to protect you.
Collision and comprehensive coverage
If you’re driving for a rideshare company and get in an at-fault accident, collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle after a non-collision event, like severe weather, theft, or vandalism.
Deductible options
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Uber and Lyft both provide deductibles of $2,500, contingent on your personal auto policy.
Rideshare insurance FAQs
Rideshare coverage is an important consideration if you’re hitting the roads for Uber or Lyft. This additional information can help you make sure you have the right coverage.
Does Colorado require rideshare insurance?
No. Colorado doesn’t require rideshare coverage. Rideshare coverage is merely recommended for drivers who don’t want gaps in coverage while on the job.
Do Uber drivers in Colorado have to carry commercial auto insurance?
No. Colorado doesn’t require drivers to carry commercial auto insurance if driving for Uber. Drivers in Telluride must carry a business license, though.
Do you really need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance?
Your personal auto insurance won’t cover all situations when driving for a rideshare service. For instance, if you get in an accident as you wait for a rider request with the app on, your personal insurance may not apply. Rideshare insurance can fill this gap.
What happens if you get into an accident while ridesharing without insurance?
Coverage depends on which phase you’re in at the time of the accident. Your personal insurance may apply, or the rideshare service’s coverage may kick in after an accident. Either way, you won’t be entirely unprotected because rideshare services require drivers to carry some form of liability insurance.
Does DoorDash count as rideshare for insurance?
DoorDash offers liability insurance while a driver is in the delivery period. Drivers are responsible for damage to their own vehicle while working for DoorDash. A personal auto policy or special rideshare insurance add-on may fill this gap depending on the car insurance company.
How does a rideshare insurance claim work?
Uber and Lyft both offer forms that you can fill out after an accident. As you file a claim through the Uber or Lyft app, you’ll figure out if you need to file a claim through your personal auto insurance company, too.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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.
Related articles
More cities in Colorado
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Ride-sharing and insurance: Q&A."
- Lyft. "Colorado Driver Information."
- Uber. "Vehicle requirements in your country."
A.M. is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who's worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches over 250,000 daily readers. Since 2019, he's written for Insurify, breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable prose.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in