The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) is introducing rules to standardize how home and auto insurers handle requests for certified copies of policies from insureds, claimants and attorneys.
The new rules cover home, personal and commercial auto policies and require that requests be sent to an insurer's registered agent. Carriers must maintain current information for their registered agents to facilitate compliance.
Auto insurers will need to develop a process for responding to requests for policy liability limits and provide a copy of the policy. While the policy may include the declaration page or application, these are not required if attached to the policy. Home insurers will also have 30 days to respond to requests.
All insurers must retain copies of requests and responses for two years after the calendar year the request was made. In cases where the insurance commissioner serves as the registered agent, insurers must provide an email address to transfer policy documents or limits.
According to a report from BestWire, the rules are being implemented under a law passed earlier this year that extended auto insurance requirements to home insurance.
Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, said the industry worked with lawmakers to avoid creating overly strict timelines that could trigger Colorado’s unreasonable delay or denial law, which has a very low threshold for violations.
Walker emphasized the importance of ensuring requests are officially received to avoid delays that could be deemed unreasonable. The rules will take effect Nov. 30.
The legislation comes amid broader discussions in Colorado on property insurance, including a proposal for a home hardening and wildfire reinsurance enterprise, which did not pass during the 2025 legislative session.
The property and casualty market in Colorado is under pressure from rising claims and evolving regulatory expectations. Insurers are balancing the need for timely service with compliance demands, while consumers are increasingly aware of their rights to policy documentation.
Analysts expect that carriers with robust compliance systems and digital infrastructure will have a competitive advantage in responding efficiently to policy requests. The emphasis on proper registered agent procedures and record retention could also reduce litigation risk, potentially lowering operational costs over time.
Insurers may invest further in technology-driven solutions to streamline responses and improve customer experience, particularly as the state’s exposure to wildfire and severe weather risk remains high.
