How to get cheaper auto insurance?

Compare quotes from multiple carriers, maintain a clean driving record, bundle your auto policy with home or renters, improve your credit score, opt for a higher deductible if you can afford it, and ask about available discounts, especially telematics and safe driving programs.

Your trusted Colorado and Utah insurance advisor, delivering real savings with expert, local guidance.

Complete Guide to Getting Cheaper Auto Insurance

Why This Question Matters for Colorado and Utah Residents

Auto insurance premiums in Colorado and Utah outpace the national average, with local drivers often paying over $1,170 per year—sometimes much more—thanks to unique regional risks like hailstorms, auto theft, and rapidly changing population centers.

  • Costs can be steep: Aurora drivers pay up to $3,565 per year for full coverage, while the average Northern Colorado premium is $1,171.
  • Weather and theft risks: Hail events drive up comprehensive claims, averaging $4,800 per repair. Theft rates are surging, especially for popular models like Kia and Hyundai.
  • Discount opportunities abound: Local carriers and independent agents help residents tap into real savings—like 18% for bundling policies, or 15% for telematics programs—making shopping around essential.

What Most People Get Wrong

Many drivers focus strictly on the monthly premium, missing important factors that can affect long-term costs—like policy limits, out-of-pocket deductibles, or the hidden impact of credit scores (which affect premiums by up to 92%).

Others stick with the same insurer for years without comparing new quotes or evaluating available discounts, leaving hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars on the table every year.

The Complete Picture

The key to lowering your auto insurance bill in Colorado and Utah is to look beyond price alone. Start with these proven strategies:

1. Compare quotes from several carriers—rates vary dramatically, with up to a 167% difference between the cheapest and priciest options for identical coverage.

2. Raise your deductible if you can afford a higher out-of-pocket expense in a claim. For example, increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can shave off about $160 per year.

3. Bundle your auto coverage with home, renters, or motorcycle policies for an average 18% savings.

4. Participate in telematics or safe driving programs through your insurer—these tech-driven programs can cut premiums by 15% or more for safe habits.

5. Keep your credit score healthy. In Colorado, drivers with excellent credit can pay up to 92% less than those with poor scores; in Utah, credit is also a major pricing factor.

6. Ask about additional discounts, including defensive driving, multi-car, vehicle safety features, and affiliations (like military or alumni).

Ultimately, the best way to get cheaper insurance is to maintain a clean driving record, review your policy annually, and let an independent agent like FoCoIns compare options on your behalf. And remember: choosing better coverage, not just the cheapest, protects you from expensive surprises if an accident happens.

Making the Right Decision for Colorado and Utah Residents

Question 1: What risks am I actually facing where I live?

Colorado's hail corridor and Utah's winter weather create unique risks. Consider:

  • Is your area prone to hailstorms, higher theft rates, or more frequent accidents?
  • Are you regularly commuting on crowded highways (like I-25 or I-15) or parking in high-theft locations?

Question 2: How much can I afford to pay out of pocket if I need to file a claim?

Raising your deductible can reduce premiums, but be sure you can cover it in an emergency:

  • If a $1,000 deductible saves $160 per year, is that a smart tradeoff with your budget?
  • Do you have savings set aside, or would a high deductible put you at financial risk?

Question 3: Am I using every available way to reduce costs?

Don't leave money on the table:

  • Ask about bundling, telematics, low mileage, defensive driving, or group discounts.
  • Review your policy every year, and work with an advisor who knows Colorado and Utah market intricacies.

Planning with these questions ensures you're protected—without paying more than you need to.

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Real World Examples

Switching and Bundling in Fort Collins, CO

Background: Sarah, a teacher living in Fort Collins, was paying $1,480/year for auto insurance with a national carrier. She hadn't compared rates in four years.

Coverage: Full coverage—liability, collision ($500 deductible), comprehensive ($1,000 deductible).

Monthly Premium: $123/month ($1,480/year)

The Incident: Sarah decided to shop around and reached out to a FoCoIns advisor. By bundling her homeowners and auto policies with a regional carrier, she qualified for multiple discounts—plus a 15% telematics discount for safe driving over three months.

Total Claim Cost: N/A (Preventative savings instead of a claim)

Sarah's Cost: $91/month ($1,092/year) after discounts—a savings of $388 per year.

"I never realized just asking about bundling and the driving app would help this much. It feels like finally having someone on my side who 'gets' Colorado!"

Raising the Deductible in Salt Lake City, UT

Background: Daniel, an engineer in Salt Lake City, was paying $110/month ($1,320/year) with a $500 deductible. He always chose the lowest deductible for peace of mind but wasn't sure if it was worth it.

Coverage: Full coverage—liability, collision, comprehensive.

Monthly Premium: $110/month ($1,320/year)

The Incident: After reviewing his finances, Daniel realized he could safely afford a $1,000 deductible. Raising it with his insurer lowered his premium by $14/month ($168/year).

Total Claim Cost: No claim yet, but Daniel's risk exposure is now an additional $500 per accident, balanced by annual savings.

Daniel's Cost: $96/month ($1,152/year)—a savings of $168 per year.

"It's not fun to pay out if something happens, but for me, it made sense. The savings go straight into my emergency fund now."

Telematics Discount After Hail in Boulder, CO

Background: Emily, a grad student near CU Boulder, was concerned after her car suffered $4,900 in hail damage and her premium jumped at renewal.

Coverage: Comprehensive, $1,000 deductible, minimal collision due to her car's age.

Monthly Premium: $99/month ($1,188/year) after the claim

The Incident: On a FoCoIns advisor's recommendation, Emily joined her carrier's telematics program. Over six months, her safe driving earned an 18% discount.

Total Claim Cost: $4,900 (insurance covered $3,900 after her deductible)

Emily's Cost: $81/month ($972/year) after discount—saving $216 annually and offsetting her post-hail premium hike.

"Tech isn't always my thing, but tracking my safe driving really paid off! I'm glad someone explained all my options."

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Chasing the Absolute Lowest Premium (and Sacrificing Coverage)

What People Do: Choose only the state minimum liability ($25,000/$50,000/$15,000 in CO) or drop comprehensive/collision to get the cheapest monthly rate.

Why It Seems Logical: Lower premiums sound great, and the risk feels remote—until there's a serious accident.

The Real Cost: In CO, the average bodily injury claim is $58,000. Minimum coverage could leave you owing tens of thousands (even losing savings, home, or car) after one crash. Weather and theft exposures in both states put drivers with minimal coverage at risk of paying $4,800+ per hail or theft loss out-of-pocket.

Smart Alternative: Get help to compare higher limits and still look for discounts—FoCoIns specialists show you how to balance real protection with cost control.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Available Discounts and Failing to Bundle Policies

What People Do: Stick with the same insurer for years, miss out on new discounts (telematics, defensive driving, multi-policy), or overlook bundling options.

Why It Seems Logical: Loyalty feels like the right move, or reviewing options seems complicated.

The Real Cost: Skipping discounts means losing up to 18% off your premium—or $200+ per year for many families. Over time, that's a small fortune lost.

Smart Alternative: Ask a FoCoIns advisor to conduct an annual review, compare multiple carriers, and ensure you're stacking every available discount.

Mistake #3: Choosing an Unaffordable Deductible

What People Do: Opt for a $1,500 or $2,000 deductible to lower premiums, without having enough savings to cover that amount after an accident.

Why It Seems Logical: The monthly savings make it tempting, and a big loss seems unlikely.

The Real Cost: Facing a $2,000 bill for repairs or a stolen car—average CO hail/theft claim is $4,800—can mean delayed repairs, big credit card debt, or going without your vehicle.

Smart Alternative: Choose a deductible that fits your emergency fund, and have a local advisor help you find the best premium—and value—for your situation.

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