Guide to Car Insurance in Connecticut

Car insurance requirements vary by state. In Connecticut, drivers must carry liability coverage for bodily injury, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and property damage. The minimum limits for bodily injury and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The property damage minimum limit is $25,000.

It’s tempting to only buy enough auto insurance to fulfill the minimum state requirements, but state minimums are rarely enough to protect you. It’s smarter to increase your liability limits to as much as you can afford to protect yourself if you’re in a serious accident. If you are at fault in an accident and don’t have enough liability coverage to pay the cost of damages that you’ve caused, you will still be held financially responsible.

Having the highest possible liability coverage levels is the best way to protect yourself from asset seizure or wage garnishment. Choosing higher limits depends on your personal budget, but drivers should carry a minimum of 100/300/100 in liability coverage. This means $100,000 for bodily injury claims per person, $300,000 in bodily injury claims per accident, and $100,000 in property damage claims.

While Connecticut only requires liability insurance (which covers the other party’s medical expenses and property repairs in an accident that you cause) and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (which covers your medical expenses and property damage when the driver at fault in an accident is uninsured or underinsured), most drivers should get comprehensive and collision insurance, as well. We recommend that you set the limits on these two types of insurance to match the market value of your car.

According to the latest 2020 estimates from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Connecticut drivers spend an average of $1,229 on annual premiums.

Average liability coverage costs $791, collision coverage costs $400, and comprehensive coverage costs $139 annually. The minimum coverage can range from $427 to $1,569, while full coverage can cost between $1,071 to $4,649.

• Allstate
• American Independent
• Amica
• Electric Insurance Company
• GEICO
• MetLife
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• State Farm
• The Hanover
• USAA
• Travelers
• Victoria

1. Drive safely to keep premiums low.
2. Increase your deductible to lower your premiums.
3. Bundle your auto and home policies.
4. Drop collision and/or comprehensive coverage for a low-value, unfinanced car that you can afford to repair or replace on your own.
5. Invest in safety devices such as anti-lock brakes and passive restraint systems.
6. Take driver training or accident prevention courses.
7. Maintain a good credit history.

Since auto insurance is required by law, drivers need to carry proof of insurance to avoid penalties. Failure to show proof of insurance results in fines and a license suspension.

Below, we’ve listed the fines and penalties for offenders:

A vehicle owner must carry an insurance identification card and registration in the vehicle at all times. Some insurers will provide digital versions of proof of insurance with a mobile app.

Fault System

Like the majority of U.S. states, Connecticut uses an at-fault system. That means the driver who is determined to be at fault in an accident is responsible for property and bodily injury damages. Connecticut abides by modified comparative negligence laws; which means an accident victim is only compensated if their degree of fault is less than 50 percent. If they’re any percentage at fault, their compensation is reduced by their degree of fault.

Uninsured Motorists

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can cover bodily injury and property damage. If the other party is uninsured, you will receive reimbursement. Unfortunately, if you’re an accident victim, you can’t stack coverage within single and multiple policies.¹ Stacking consists of combining coverage limits for several vehicles.

DUI Laws

In Connecticut, it is a criminal offense to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of more than 0.08 percent. If the driver is under age 21, the BAC limit is 0.02 percent.

If you are caught drunk driving in Connecticut, you will face a number of penalties, up to and including jail time. The severity will depend on the circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses that you have. The penalties upon conviction are as follows:

Connecticut has a 10-year washout or look-back period, which means that a DUI will stay on your record for 10 years. A first-time offender charged with a DUI may apply to the court for admission to the Pretrial Alcohol Education Program. The applicant must state under oath that they have not been in the program within the previous 10 years. The court will dismiss DUI charges if the driver completes the program satisfactorily.

Seat Belt Laws

Connecticut has primary seat belt laws, which allow law enforcement officers to ticket a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt without any other traffic infraction taking place. Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear safety belts at all times. Additionally, all passengers ages 4 to 16 in the back seat need to wear safety belts. Fines for adults who don’t wear seat belts start at $92.

Distracted Driving Laws

In Connecticut, it is illegal to use any handheld mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years old can’t use cell phones or mobile devices at any time, even hands-free accessories. Penalties include $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense, and $500 for each subsequent offense. If you’re driving distracted and receive fines for offenses, you may receive demerit points on your driving record, which could lead to a license suspension.³

Teen Driver Laws

Statute of Limitations for Claims

The statute of limitations for auto insurance claims in Connecticut is two years for both property damage and personal injury claims. If an accident or injury leading to wrongful death occurred, you can’t file a claim after more than five years.⁴

Cancellation and Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Auto insurance companies cannot cancel policies that have been in force for over 60 days except under the following circumstances:

• You didn’t pay your premium.
• You committed fraud or misrepresentation on your application.
• Your driver’s license has been revoked or suspended.

Non-renewal occurs when your company decides not to renew your policy once it expires. Insurance companies must give you notice and explain the reason before they drop your coverage. Reasons may be because they no longer offer that type of insurance, they don’t want to write as many policies in your area, or because you have been convicted of a DUI.⁵

Companies need to notify you of the following cancellations and non-renewals within a certain number of days prior to your expiration date.

• Midterm cancellation: 45 days
• Midterm cancellation due to nonpayment: 15 days for the first premium, 10 days for the second premium, and after
• Non-renewal: 60 days⁶

Self-Insurance

Connecticut allows drivers to self-insure (meaning they purchase bonds instead of car insurance) at the discretion of the insurance commissioner. You must prove that your self-insurance meets the minimum state requirements for auto insurance to be approved.

How Often Do You Have to Get Your Car Inspected in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, you are required to get an emissions test for most vehicles every two years. To register certain motor vehicles such as pickup trucks or motorcycles, you will also need a vehicle identification number (VIN) verification.

For the emissions test, you’ll receive a letter from the DMV 45 days before your vehicle is due for an emissions test. If you have a diesel vehicle, it may require exhaust emissions inspections through the DMV’s commercial vehicle safety inspection.

The emissions test for your vehicle requires the following inspections:

• On-board diagnostic (OBD)
• Pre-Conditioned Two-Speed Idle (PC-TSI)
• Opacity
• Gas cap pressure leak test

These are the exceptions that means your vehicle doesn’t require an emissions inspection:

• Vehicles younger than four model years old
• Vehicles with a gross weight of more than 10,001 pounds
• Model year 1996 and older vehicles
• Composite vehicles
• Electric-powered or non-hybrid vehicles
• Bicycles with motors
• Motorcycles and farm vehicles
• Vehicles not designed for highways
• Diesel school buses
• Vehicles with dealer, repairer, or transporter plates⁷

Call 1-877-4MYC-TVIP or visit https://www.ctemissions.com/FindATestCenter to find locations for your emissions inspection. Emissions tests cost $20 at privately owned automotive service facilities located throughout the state.

If you have a car, pickup truck, or motorcycle that was registered in another state, you will need a VIN verification to register your motor vehicle in Connecticut. You can find a VIN Verification Station at ​​https://ctemissions.com/VINVerifications.

SR-22s

An SR-22, or certificate of financial responsibility, proves you meet the minimum state requirements for auto liability insurance. Drivers need SR-22s after being convicted of serious traffic violations, such as any of the following:

• Driving without insurance
• A DUI or DWI
• Reckless driving
• Refusing a breathalyzer
• Repeated traffic violations
• At-fault accidents causing injuries or death

These drivers are considered high-risk and need to maintain their SR-22 filing statuses for one year following their license reinstatements. Additionally, their insurance rate will vary based on the violations and the severity of the accident. The cost of an SR-22 is approximately $25 in Connecticut.

Connecticut Car Registration Information

Once you have established residency in Connecticut you have 90 days to transfer your registration from your previous state. Here’s how to do it:

1. Check for outstanding issues, such as property taxes or lapses in insurance coverage, that may prevent you from transferring your registration.
2. Gather the following documents and fees.
   • Acceptable form of identification
   • Proof of insurance
   • Completed registration application
   • Bill of sale for vehicles you purchased recently
   • Registration fees
   • Proof of vehicle ownership
   • An original power of attorney from the leasing company, if applicable
   • Original vehicle title from leasing company or lienholder if leasing a vehicle
3. Fill out the Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B): https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DMV/20/29/H13Bpdf.pdf?la=en.
4. Make an appointment at a DMV office to submit your registration and pay the fees in person. You can find your local office at https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/Offices/Offices/Directions-and-Office-Hours.

Fees for registering vehicles depend on your type of vehicle and its usage.

Combination fees vary for both passenger and commercial usage.

You can contact the DMV in one of three ways.

• Email: https://dmvcivls-wselfservice.ct.gov/DMVEmailForm/
• Phone: Live support is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.
  • Hartford area: 860-263-5700
  • All other parts of Connecticut: 800-842-8222
  • Out of state: 860-263-5700
• Mail:
  • Department of Motor Vehicles
  • 60 State St.
  • Wethersfield, CT 06161

How to Get a Copy of Your Car Title in Connecticut

1. Fill out an Application for Replacement Certificate of Title at https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DMV/20/29/H6Bpdf.pdf.
2. Include the $25 fee.
3. Mail it to this address:
   • State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
   • Attn: Specialized Registry Services
   • 60 State St.
   • Wethersfield, CT 06161

How to Contact the Connecticut Insurance Department

You have three options to contact the insurance department:

• Go to https://portal.ct.gov/CID/About-Us/Contact-Us.
• Call 860-297-3900.
• Send a letter to this address:
  • 153 Market St.
  • 7th Floor
  • Hartford, CT 06103

The average cost of car repairs in Connecticut (including parts and labor) is $401.55, 5 percent higher than the national average. On average, labor accounts for $153.58 of the total cost of repair, and parts account for $247.97.

According to the FBI, the motor vehicle theft rate in Connecticut in 2020 was 237 per 100,000 inhabitants, 4 percent lower than the national average.

Based on 2020 estimates, the top five spots for motor vehicle theft in Connecticut include the following metropolitan statistical areas:

In 2019, Connecticut’s average fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 249, which is 184 percent lower than the national average.

By now, you have a solid grasp on the basics of auto insurance in Connecticut and the ins and outs of state driving laws. Check out our state-by-state guide to driving for more information about how driving in Connecticut compares to the rest of the country.