Colorado Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB)

The Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB), also known as Drive Insured, is an online tool used by the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR). Its purpose is to help law enforcement, County DMV offices, and other state and local governmental entities quickly confirm the current insurance status of motor vehicles registered in Colorado.

The database works by regularly comparing two main sets of data:

• Vehicle registration records from the DMV.
• The most up-to-date policy information provided by insurance companies.

The MIIDB is provided with vehicle registration updates from the DMV daily and insurance policy updates from insurance companies weekly, at a minimum. The MIIDB performs the matching process and reports all vehicle insurance status changes to the DMV daily.

The MIIDB was created by the Colorado General Assembly in 1998 (C.R.S. 42-7-601 through 606). The main reason for its creation is to address and reduce the problem of uninsured drivers in Colorado.

By keeping track of insured vehicles, the system helps officials:

• Verify that all drivers meet the state's mandatory insurance requirements.
• Confirm the financial responsibility of drivers after a traffic stop or crash

Your insurance agency is required by law to report insurance information to MIIDB. There are times, due to technical or other issues that information is not reported or is not reported correctly. In these cases you should reach out to your insurance agency to inquire.

No. The database works by matching your vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) with policy data. Because commercial vehicles are exempt from this specific type of tracking by state law, policies covering commercial vehicles are not required to report VINs to the MIIDB. The system therefore focuses on identifying the insurance status of privately registered vehicles. Commercial Motor Vehicles insurance requirements are tracked by other systems.

Access to the MIIDB is governed by Colorado statutes (e.g., CRS 42-7-604) and is strictly for official purposes to identify uninsured vehicles and enforce motor vehicle financial responsibility laws. There are regulations about how this information can be used and disclosed.

The MIIDB Program is administered by the Department of Revenue, DMV Vehicle Services Program through Tyler Technologies. 
 

MIIDB Customer Service Representative
Colorado.gov
600 17th Street, Suite 2150 South
Denver, CO 80202
Office: 1-800-970-3468 ext.134
Fax: 303-534-3469
Email: miidbsupport@www.colorado.gov

Carrying valid insurance protects you from devastating financial loss if you are found at fault for an accident, and it protects other drivers by ensuring they can be compensated for their injuries and property damage. 

A valid insurance policy isn't just a smart choice; it's a legal requirement in Colorado. Driving without it can lead to severe consequences, both financially and legally. The information below is based on the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) Section 42-4-1409, which outlines the mandatory nature of auto insurance and the penalties for non-compliance.

Motor vehicle insurance serves a critical purpose: it provides a safety net for everyone on the road. Accidents happen, and when they do, insurance ensures that the at-fault driver has the financial means to cover the damages they cause.

The minimum amounts required are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person in an accident.
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death to all persons in any one accident.
• $15,000 for property damage in any one accident. (This is often referred to as 25/50/15 coverage.)

Click here for more information about vehicle registration and insurance requirements.

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Insurance (DOI) is the state entity responsible for regulating the insurance industry, including both insurance companies and agents.

The DOI helps consumers by:

• Answering questions about policies.
• Investigating consumer complaints.
• Making sure companies and agents follow state laws.

Click here to visit DOI's Auto Insurance website.

County Clerk and Recorders utilize the MIIDB system during the registration process which allows them to enforce compliance with Colorado's mandatory insurance laws. This can lead to a reduction in the number of uninsured motorists on their roads and an improvement in public safety. County Clerk and Recorder Offices can deny vehicle registrations if proof of insurance isn't provided.

If the system cannot automatically verify your coverage, you must provide proof to your county motor vehicle office. Acceptable forms include:

• Your physical or digital Colorado Insurance Card.
• A copy of your insurance policy or a letter on company letterhead.
• A computer printout or facsimile (fax) of the proof of insurance.
• Electronic proof provided by your insurer on a device (like a phone or laptop).
   

Registration Renewal: When it's time to renew your vehicle's registration, your renewal card may indicate that proof of insurance is required. This may be because your insurance has lapsed or perhaps you changed insurance companies and the new policy has not yet been reported. Your county DMV will require you to present physical proof of insurance to complete your renewal. Your registration may be delayed or denied until you provide this proof.

Yes, you must carry proof of insurance while driving in Colorado, and while electronic versions are accepted, you should have a physical copy available in case of a crash or a technology failure. The MIIDB is a verification system and is not a substitute for carrying proof of insurance. If you were pulled over and issued a citation for not having proof of insurance, within seven days of receipt of the Affidavit and Notice of Suspension, you must:

• Provide proof of insurance at the time of the offense to the DMV;
• Obtain SR22 insurance; or
• Request a hearing through the DMV

If you do not provide anything to the DMV and/or do not request a hearing, your license will be suspended on the 8th day. If you request a hearing in a timely manner, you may be granted a temporary permit, which would allow you to drive until the day of the hearing.

Proof of current insurance is required to request a hearing. The only issue at the hearing is whether you had a valid insurance policy in effect on the day you were issued the citation.

If your license is suspended, you will have to obtain SR22 insurance to reinstate it. On a second suspension, your driving privileges will be suspended for four months, and on a third or subsequent suspension, your driving privileges will be suspended for eight months.

Under CRS Section 42-4-1409, driving without a valid insurance policy is a Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense. The penalties escalate significantly with each offense.

Learn more about failure to carry Colorado insurance consequences here: Auto Insurance.