Connecticut Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Amy Beardsley
Written byAmy Beardsley
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Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer
  • 3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance

  • 7+ years in personal finance and technology

Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.

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Jackie Cohen
Edited byJackie Cohen
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Jackie CohenEditorial Manager

Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.

Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.

Updated June 17, 2022

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Connecticut law dictates the minimum auto insurance requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Connecticut must hold 25/50/25 in bodily injury liability coverage and property damage coverage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Quick Facts
  • Car insurance is required by law in Connecticut.

  • Drivers in Connecticut must carry 25/50/25 in liability, coverage, in addition to uninsured motorist coverage.

  • If caught driving uninsured, drivers face $100 to 1,000 in fines and potential jail time.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Connecticut

The minimum car insurance requirements in Connecticut[1] are:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

  • $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

  • $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

  • $25,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist protection per person

  • $50,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist protection per accident

Connecticut used to be a no-fault state for auto insurance prior to 1994. Since then, Connecticut has been an at-fault state that allows you to sue an at-fault driver if you’re injured because of their negligence.

Why is car insurance required in Connecticut?

Auto insurance protects drivers from financial liability in the event of an accident. Depending on a policy’s specific coverage limitations, car insurance may cover everything from vehicle damage to medical bills.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Connecticut.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability insurance is required in Connecticut.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage covers you, your relatives (if they live with you), and your passengers if they’re injured in an accident and the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. You can purchase higher limits, but Connecticut state law requires minimum coverage amounts of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

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Is state minimum car insurance enough in Connecticut?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Connecticut provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. The minimum amounts required for car insurance only protect you up to $50,000 per accident, which is a small amount that won’t cover extensive injuries or medical treatment.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Connecticut

Connecticut drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Connecticut, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Other Supplemental Coverage

Rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, and full glass coverage are additional coverages you might want to consider in Connecticut. Rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance can help you get back on the road quickly if something happens, while full glass coverage eliminates your deductible for glass repairs or replacement.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Connecticut

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Connecticut

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Connecticut

It is illegal to drive in Connecticut without the minimum car insurance coverage. You must also have your insurance identification card on hand at all times while driving. If you don’t have it, the law assumes you don’t have the required minimum insurance in place. Penalties are as follows[2]:

  • $100 to $1,000 in fines

  • Up to $5,000 and imprisonment of five years for commercial drivers

  • One-month driving suspension for the first conviction

  • Six months driving suspension for convictions after the first one

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Connecticut

High-risk drivers can face some consequences for having a spotty driving record. If you have an at-fault accident, speeding, or driving with a suspended license conviction on your record, you’ll likely pay higher rates for car insurance.

In addition, Connecticut may have a few requirements to get you back on the road. The state can ask you to file an SR-22, or proof of financial responsibility. If you’re required to furnish proof but don’t, your license can be suspended or revoked.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Connecticut

DUI Insurance in Connecticut

SR-22 Insurance in Connecticut

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Connecticut

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Connecticut.

Insurance CompanyMonthly Quote for Minimum Coverage
Progressive$130
Liberty Mutual$195
National General$240
Nationwide$270
Bristol West$311
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Connecticut

The quickest and most effective way to find cheap car insurance in Connecticut is to compare multiple insurers. To save time, use Insurify to shop around and compare car insurance quotes from top-named providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is car insurance mandatory in Connecticut?

    Yes. Connecticut requires drivers to have an auto insurance policy. The minimum amount of protection you need is $25,000/$25,000/$25,000 in liability, property damage, and uninsured motorist coverages.

  • Is Connecticut a no-fault state?

    No. Connecticut is not a no-fault state. It became an at-fault state in 1994, which means you’re liable for anyone’s injuries if you’re responsible for an auto accident.

  • Does Connecticut require uninsured motorist protection?

    Yes. You’re required to have uninsured motorist protection in Connecticut. You must have at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 per accident) according to state law. However, you can purchase additional coverage for more financial protection.

  • Do you need car insurance to register a car in Connecticut?

    Yes. You must have proof of insurance on the vehicle before you can register it in Connecticut. Your insurance card must include the name of the insurance company, policy number, vehicle information, and the effective date of coverage showing it’s valid when the vehicle is registered.

  • How can I find cheap car insurance in Connecticut?

    Car insurance is a necessity for any Connecticut driver. If you are looking for cheap car insurance, use an online comparison tool like Insurify. In just a few minutes, you can compare car insurance quotes to find the best and cheapest car insurance coverage.

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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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • 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.

Sources

  1. State of Connecticut Insurance Department. "State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements." Accessed June 14, 2022
  2. Connecticut General Assemby. "Penalties for Driving Uninsured." Accessed June 15, 2022
Amy Beardsley
Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer

Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.

Jackie Cohen
Edited byJackie CohenEditorial Manager
Photo of an Insurify author
Jackie CohenEditorial Manager

Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.

Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers