Car Insurance Connecticut: Everything You Need to Know

Connecticut, similar to most states, requires drivers to carry a specific amount of car insurance to operate a motor vehicle on state roadways. When shopping for car insurance, Connecticut drivers may pay more or less than other drivers in the state depending on their driving record and other personal details.

Connecticut, similar to most states, requires drivers to carry a specific amount of car insurance to operate a motor vehicle on state roadways. When shopping for car insurance, Connecticut drivers may pay more or less than other drivers in the state depending on their driving record and other personal details.

Connecticut Car Insurance Requirements

If you live in Connecticut, according to Insurify, you're required to provide proof of insurance in the following situations:

• The police pull you over for a traffic violation.
• You're registering or renewing the registration for your vehicle.
• You're in an accident.

Connecticut law mandates minimums for liability and uninsured motorist coverage. Insurify notes that when you purchase a car insurance policy, it should include the following:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident

Connecticut is a fault-based state, meaning that if you cause an accident, you have to pay for repairs to the other driver's vehicle. You also have to pay for their medical care, if needed. In some cases, the fault and damages may be split among each driver accordingly.

According to The Zebra, Connecticut drivers can also add the following types of optional coverage:

• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Loan/Lease Payoff
• Medical Payments
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Roadside Assistance

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for Connecticut Drivers?

The Zebra notes that Connecticut drivers pay, on average, $768 for a standard six-month policy. That means the average monthly payment is $128. Connecticut insurance rates are 10 percent higher than the national average. Keep in mind that, as Insurify points out, driving without insurance coverage puts you, your passengers, and other drivers at risk. Connecticut's penalties for driving without insurance include fines, civil penalties, vehicle registration and license suspension, and in some cases, jail time.

Comparing Insurance Quotes for Connecticut Drivers

ValuePenguin suggests that you compare quotes from several companies to get the best price for car insurance. If you're a driver in Connecticut with a clean record and you want to purchase full coverage, here's what you can expect to pay, on average, depending on the provider:

• State Farm: $1638 a year/$136 a month
• MetLife: $1768 a year/$147 a month
• GEICO: $2097 a year/$175 a month

Connecticut drivers with less-than-perfect driving histories can expect to pay higher rates. The following is what select companies will charge, on average, if a driver has a recent speeding ticket on their record:

• State Farm: $1794 a year/$150 a month
• GEICO: $2097 a year/$175 a month
• MetLife: $2175 a year/$181 a month

ValuePenguin reports that if you have a recent accident on your record, you can expect to pay the following rates:

• State Farm: $1794 a year/$150 a month
• GEICO: $2513 a year/$209 a month
• Travelers: $3051 a year/$339 a month

For drivers with a recent DUI, car insurance rates are even higher:

• State Farm: $1794 a year/$150 a month
• MetLife: $4102 a year/$342 a month
• Progressive: $4503 a year/$375 a month

Insurify points out that a DUI doesn't just affect your insurance rates. If you're a Connecticut driver caught driving under the influence, you could face the following consequences:

• Two days to six months in jail
• $500 to $1000 in fines
• A 45-day driver's license suspension
• Installation of an interlocking device on your vehicle after the first offense

Another factor that car insurance providers use to calculate your rates is your credit score. Drivers with a poor score are classified as high-risk. Here's what you can expect to pay if you have a poor credit rating:

• GEICO: $2097 a year/$175 a month
• Travelers: $2152 a year/$179 a month
• State Farm: $2361 a year/$197 a month

As ValuePenguin points out, one group that the insurance industry doesn't consider a risk to insure is married drivers. The following is what married drivers in Connecticut are charged for full coverage:

• MetLife: $1514 a year/$126 a month
• State Farm: $1638 a year/$136 a month
• GEICO: $2177 a year/$181 a month

Discounts for Connecticut Drivers

Even if you fall into a high-risk group of drivers, there are several discounts you might qualify for that can help lower your rates. According to Bankrate, these include:

• Safety Equipment Discount: If you add an anti-theft device or purchase a new car equipped with the latest safety technology, your insurance company may offer you a discount.
• Automatic Payment/Paperless Billing: Many insurance providers offer a discount to customers who set up automated monthly payments or switch from receiving bills in the mail to managing their policies online.
• Full Payment Discount: If you're able to pay your policy in full instead of monthly, your provider may be willing to take a percentage off of the total amount.
• Defensive Driving Discount: Check your insurance company's website to see if they have a list of approved defensive driving course providers. Most insurance companies will provide a discount for completing an approved course.
• Bundling Discount: You can bundle your homeowner's policy with your car insurance policy, or you can bundle multiple vehicles onto the same car insurance policy. Both bundling methods should earn you significant savings.
• Good Student Discount: If your teen driver is listed on your policy, they can earn a discount for maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher. Some companies extend this discount to college students under the age of 25.
• Safe Driver Discount: Tracking your driving habits with a telematics device or mobile app can earn you discounts if you drive safely. Some insurance companies also offer discounts if you go a certain amount of time without an accident or filing a claim.

How to Apply for Quotes and Purchase Insurance in Connecticut

Before you start shopping for quotes, Bankrate suggests you have the following documentation on hand:

• Your birth certificate
• Your Social Security card
• Your driver's license
• The driver's licenses of anyone else you want to add to the policy
• Your vehicle registration
• The declaration page for your current insurance provider

Once you apply for a quote online, you should receive it within minutes.

Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.

Sources:

Hearst Autos Research, produced independently of the Car and Driver Editorial staff, provides articles about cars and the automotive industry to help readers make informed purchasing choices.