Colorado Vehicle Insurance Requirements
The state of CO requires that all motorists must be financially responsible for traffic accidents that may be caused as a result of operating an automobile. Drivers must have compensation readily available to pay for any bodily injury and/or property damaged caused to another party. Due to the high amounts that are required by the state, the most common way used to satisfy this law is with the purchase of a car insurance policy consisting of limits that meet the state’s requirements.
As a minimum, motorists who choose to purchase Colorado auto insurance policies must obtain coverage with liability limits of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident and $15,000 for property damage. Although this may seem adequate to cover expenses arising from a traffic accident, there are many cases where this may not be true and it may be wise for consumers to consider purchasing higher limits for at an additional cost. It is also advised to consider additional coverage that can help protect the policyholder. Liability policies will not cover any injuries or damages caused to the insured or their vehicle if they are at fault for causing the collision.
Additional CO car insurance Coverage
As of January 1, 2009, the state began requiring mandatory “med-pay” coverage (also known as medical payments) to be included with each policy with at least $5,000 to pay for injuries sustained by drivers and passenger resulting from a traffic accident regardless of fault. However, consumers do have the option to reject this coverage in writing at the time a policy is purchased or renewed the car insurance company must save proof that the policyholder rejected med-pay for a minimum of three years. Insurers are required to offer this protection and quote a premium at the time a motorist purchases a new policy or at renewal.
Similar to medical payments, insurers are also required to offer Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage at the time a policy is purchased or renewed and this option can be refused by the consumer. Although state law requires drivers to carry and maintain automobile policies, there are individuals that choose to operate without coverage or purchase low liability limits. This protection will pay for medical expenses from injuries sustained by a driver and passenger if struck by an uninsured motorist or if the at fault party has limits that are exhausted from the costs of medical care. It is advisable to read the Colorado Department of Insurance Uninsured/Underinsured FAQ’s prior to rejecting this coverage to weigh the benefits.