To find the best car insurance rate for you, getting personalized quotes from multiple providers is a good strategy. MoneyGeek ranked the top car insurance providers in Connecticut based on affordability, customer service standards and other factors so that you can easily find the coverage you want. Factors like location, age and driving history can impact insurance premiums. When you compare car insurance costs from some of the most popular companies in Connecticut, you could save up to $1,448.
bestauto insuranceConnecticut2021The Cheapest and Best Car Insurance in Connecticut
Cheapest for minimum liability - GEICO
Cheapest for full coverage - GEICO
Best company overall - USAA
Cheapest for drivers with a DUI - Progressive
Cheapest for drivers with a ticket - State Farm
Cheapest for senior drivers - GEICO
Cheapest for student drivers - GEICO
Connecticut drivers need to have at least the state’s minimum liability car insurance. This policy covers the other driver’s costs if you’re at fault in an accident, but it does not cover your own expenses.
On average, the cheapest car insurance firms in Connecticut for minimum coverage are:
- USAA: $425 per year (only available to those with a military background)
- GEICO: $470 per year
The most expensive car insurance company for minimum coverage is MetLife, costing $1,679 per year on average.
Average Cost for Minimun Liability Coverage
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$425$35
- 2.$470$39
- 3.$708$59
- 4.$747$62
- 5.$817$68
The figures represented are average prices, and you should only use them as a reference to compare the premiums of different insurers.
These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Connecticut driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.
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In Connecticut, a minimum coverage policy is the cheapest available but only offers bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, along with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Consumers looking to cover damages to their own car, or improve their protection against higher liability costs, should consider a full coverage policy.
To find the least expensive rates, you should compare car insurance quotes from several providers. A full coverage plan with higher liability limits and comprehensive and collision insurance will cost more than minimum coverage, but it shields you against the cost of damages to your car, not just others.
The most affordable car insurance companies in Connecticut for full coverage are:
- USAA: $847 per year
- GEICO: $925 per year
MetLife is the most expensive carrier for full coverage, with average costs of $2,295 per year.
Average Comprehensive and Collision Rates in Connecticut
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$847$71
- 2.$925$77
- 3.$1,167$97
- 4.$1,324$110
- 5.$1,375$115
Please note that your individual premiums will be different than these examples. These rates are averages for a full coverage policy with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Connecticut for 2021
MoneyGeek’s study shows that the best car insurance companies in Connecticut are:
- Best Overall: USAA
- Runner-up: State Farm
For these rankings, MoneyGeek used a system that considers several factors like affordability, customer satisfaction, financial strength and claims experience. These are good indicators for the best car insurance companies in Connecticut.
For each metric, MoneyGeek looked at information from AM Best’s financial strength ratings and J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study — both considered industry standards for rating and reviewing insurance companies. The final MoneyGeek rating, calculated out of 100, gives equal weight to these studies and other factors like premium cost.
1
USAA
Score:100
USAA serves only veterans, current military members and their families. It gets top scores in Connecticut for the factors of customer satisfaction, affordability, claims performance and financial strength.
More About USAA
MoneyGeek’s research indicates that USAA ranks consistently as the best car insurer in most states in the U.S., including Connecticut. It offers discounts to military members who garage their vehicles on base. A loyalty rebate is available for policyholders whose parents are also USAA customers.
Read MoneyGeek's USAA auto Insurance Review2
MAPFRE Insurance
Score:100
3
State Farm
Score:93
State Farm is the second-best car insurance company in Connecticut. It gets impressive scores for affordability, user satisfaction and financial strength.
More About State Farm
If you use your car to drive for Uber or Lyft, State Farm offers rideshare insurance. You can utilize its Drive Safe & Save app to get savings based on your driving behavior. State Farm’s extensive agent network offers a personal touch to consumers.
Read MoneyGeek's State Farm auto Insurance Review4
GEICO
Score:93
5
Allstate
Score:88
6
Nationwide
Score:85
7
Progressive
Score:83
8
Travelers
Score:80
9
Hanover
Score:78
10
MetLife
Score:78
11
Liberty Mutual
Score:75
12
Safety Group
Score:75
13
Arbella Insurance Group
Score:73
14
Plymouth Rock Assurance
Score:73
15
Safeco
Score:73
While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
List of the Largest Insurance Companies in Connecticut
In terms of market share, the three biggest insurance companies in Connecticut are GEICO (18.7%), Progressive (10.2%) and Allstate (9.9%). Market share is the number of premiums written by one insurance firm divided by the total number of premiums written in the state.
A large and established provider offers more security to consumers, as it is likely to be financially sound and can reimburse legitimate claims without trouble.
- CompanyMarket Share
- 1.18.7%
- 2.10.2%
- 3.9.9%
- 4.9.2%
- 5.6.8%
How to Compare Cheap Connecticut Car Insurance Quotes Online
Most car insurance companies offer a convenient and accurate online quote tool. When comparing quotes, you should ideally use the same limits. For instance, if you get a quote for $300,000 in bodily liability insurance per accident from one carrier, use the same limit when you obtain rates from other insurers.
You can use MoneyGeek’s price information to find ideal companies to shop with or input your ZIP code below to compare quotes.
USAA, GEICO and Amica Mutual are the three cheapest insurers for liability coverage in Connecticut. You can kick off your search for a suitable policy by getting their rates.
What Is the Average Cost of Car Insurance in Connecticut?
Several unique factors determine the value of auto insurance premiums. MoneyGeek calculated the average rates for a 40-year-old male driver with 100/300/100 comprehensive and collision insurance who has a clean driving record and drives a Toyota Camry. Your premiums can vary significantly depending on your age, location, coverage level and driving record.
- Average Driver: $1,442
- DUI: $2,809
- **Speeding Ticket: **$1,809
- Poor Credit Score: $2,511
- Seniors: $1,582
- Students: $3,255
A severe driving offense like a DUI can significantly increase your auto insurance costs. A driver with a DUI needs to pay $2,809 per year on average for their car insurance in Connecticut. This is almost double the cost of $1,442 for an average driver with a clean record.
The cheapest car insurance carriers in Connecticut for a driver with a DUI and full coverage are:
- Progressive: $1,381 per year
- State Farm: $1,441 per year
Although GEICO is the second-cheapest insurer for Connecticut drivers with a clean record, Progressive offers lower premiums for those with a DUI.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,381$115
- 2.$1,441$120
- 3.$1,741$145
- 4.$2,181$182
- 5.$2,493$208
Approximately 2% of Connecticut residents admitted to driving after drinking too much within the previous 30 days, during a 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While this rate is lower than several other states, Connecticut takes safe driving seriously and penalizes drivers who have a DUI on their record. Aside from jail time, fines, fees and license suspension, your insurance premiums will also likely go up. The table below looks at approximate costs for drivers with a DUI at several companies.
A DUI typically shows up on both driving and criminal records. Each state sets its own rules regarding record expungement, making it imperative to discuss the issue with a lawyer. There are high costs of getting a DUI, including higher insurance rates that can last for at least three years, but potentially for up to a decade. To get the best rates, regularly shop around with insurance companies, maintain a stellar driving record and learn when your convictions will fall off your records. After the records fall off, reapply with a new insurance company.
Even a minor driving violation like a speeding ticket can increase your car insurance rates. Connecticut drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $1,809 per year for their auto insurance coverage, compared to $1,442 for those with no violations.
The most affordable car insurance providers in Connecticut for a driver with a speeding ticket and full coverage are:
- USAA: $967 per year
- State Farm: $1,441 per year
Meanwhile, MetLife has the highest average rate for drivers with DUI convictions in Connecticut, as their rate was roughly $2,817 per year in MoneyGeek's study.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$967$81
- 2.$1,441$120
- 3.$1,489$124
- 4.$1,491$124
- 5.$1,540$128
Tickets, whether for speeding or distracted driving, can cause insurance rates to increase substantially. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 276 crashes in Connecticut during 2018 were the result of distracted driving. Distracted driving can cost far more than higher insurance premiums, making it critical for drivers to stay focused behind the wheel. The following table looks at the average cost of insurance per month for Connecticut drivers with a ticket on their record.
As with DUIs, individual states set laws regarding how long speeding and distracted driving tickets stay on a driver’s record. Most insurance companies follow a three-year rule, but some infractions may have a longer-lasting impact. Some insurers may not increase rates for a first-time offender, though they will remove the safe driving discount. Check with multiple insurers to find the best rate possible.
A healthy credit score can help you minimize your insurance rates. A driver with a bad credit score in Connecticut needs to shell out an average annual cost of $2,511 for their car insurance, more than $1,000 more than a typical driver pays.
The least expensive car insurers in Connecticut for a driver with full coverage and poor credit are:
- USAA: $1,361 per year
- GEICO: $1,433 per year
These two providers also present the cheapest full coverage options for drivers with good credit scores.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,361$113
- 2.$1,433$119
- 3.$1,707$142
- 4.$2,246$187
- 5.$2,260$188
Bad credit scores do not predict whether an individual is more likely to get in a wreck, but they do help Connecticut auto insurance companies determine someone’s ability to pay their premiums. Connecticuters had average FICO scores of 717 in 2018, ranking 15th nationwide. Raising your credit score may take a bit of time and effort, but it can be done. In the interim, consider the following average monthly costs of auto insurance for individuals with bad credit scores.
Because insurance companies use unique criteria and metrics for assessing risk around clients with questionable credit, you may see a variety of quotes in your search. Auto insurers often pull your credit history to provide a personalized quote. These types of credit inquiries do not affect your score like those done by mortgage lenders or other creditors.
Auto insurance companies generally charge senior drivers slightly higher rates. In Connecticut, a senior driver needs to shell out $1,582 per year on average, or roughly $140 more than a typical 40-year-old driver pays.
The cheapest car insurance companies in Connecticut for senior drivers with full coverage are:
- USAA: $947 per year
- GEICO: $1,144 per year
MetLife is again the most expensive option on average, as they charge around $2,130 per year for senior drivers in Connecticut.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$947$79
- 2.$1,144$95
- 3.$1,295$108
- 4.$1,307$109
- 5.$1,581$132
To find cheap car insurance in Connecticut for seniors, several factors need to be on your side. These include driving record, type of car owned and whether a mature driver refresher course has been taken recently. Connecticut’s DMV requires senior drivers to renew their license in-person every two years to ensure they can safely operate a vehicle. In 2017, Drivers ages 65 and over accounted for 15.2% of fatal wrecks in Connecticut, according to the NHTSA. Because senior drivers are often at an increased risk of being involved in an accident, insurance rates may be higher for adults as they age.
A few of the factors affecting car insurance for seniors include the type of coverage required, driving frequency and overall health. Retired seniors who previously commuted daily but now drive less frequently may qualify for reduced rates.
Car insurance companies consider students to be high-risk drivers due to their lack of experience, so they charge them much higher rates. A Connecticut student driver pays $3,255 on average, which is $1,813 more than the typical rate for a 40-year-old driver.
The most affordable car insurance carriers in Connecticut for student drivers with full coverage are:
- GEICO: $2,589 per year
- Progressive: $2,914 per year
USAA offers cheaper rates for the average adult driver, while Progressive’s costs are lower for student drivers.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Students
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$2,589$216
- 2.$2,914$243
- 3.$3,145$262
- 4.$3,808$317
- 5.$3,821$318
Getting cheap car insurance for young drivers in Connecticut starts with parents adding their children to their insurance policy and finding them a safe, reliable car. Requiring your child to take a driver’s education course and maintain good grades may result in Good Student and Defensive Driving discounts becoming available. Shop around for the best options and remember to research what happens if/when your child heads to college in a different state. Such a change can impact your premium or require them to get a separate policy.
Even though parents or guardians typically cover the costs of insurance for high school and college students, several unique factors impact cost. Because young drivers possess little-to-no experience on the roads, they must prove themselves to insurers. Following the introduction of stricter graduated driver licensing laws in Connecticut, fatality rates for crashes involving 16- and 17-year olds fell from 6.3% in 2003–2008 to 2.2% in 2009–2013. As teens and young adults prove their driving abilities, rates drop.
Insurance Rate Information for Military Drivers and Veterans
Many auto insurers in Connecticut offer discounts to veterans and enlisted service members, with some companies catering specifically to military personnel. Regardless of your chosen route, contact several insurers to find the best deal. Even though military and veteran discounts exist, insurance companies still look at driving records to determine premiums.
The Department of Defense reported nearly 16,000 active, reserve, and civilian-military members resided in Connecticut as of December 2019. Each of these individuals must hold proof of insurance to register their vehicles. The good news is that once you show proof of insurance as an active duty military member, you can bypass certain fees associated with new/renewal registration, temporary plates, safety plates and the Clean Air Act. However, you'll still have to pay title and lien fees, vehicle or record transfer fees, duplicate registration, special plate fees and sales tax.
Average Rates for Connecticut service members
25 years$1,824
50 years$1,522
50 years$1,522
25 years$1,712
50 years$1,484
50 years$1,484
Car Insurance in Connecticut: What You Need to Know
Every Connecticut driver needs liability insurance. If you own a registered car but plan to abstain from driving for a while, you can drop liability coverage and apply for suspension of liability through your insurance company. The vehicle remains registered, but you cannot drive it until you reinstate your liability insurance.
If you have an inoperable car or a vehicle in storage and don't want to pay any insurance at all, you can turn in its license plate to the DMV and place it on hold.
Proof of Insurance in Connecticut
Connecticut accepts proof of insurance in two forms: an insurance card or a Certificate of Liability Insurance. You must show one of these two items if you’re in an accident or if a law enforcement officer asks to see it.
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Connecticut
Every registered car needs to be insured for at least the following amounts, as outlined by the State of Connecticut Insurance Department:
- $25,000 in liability for injuries to one person
- $50,000 in liability for injuries to multiple people in an accident
- $25,000 in liability for damage to a car or other property
- $20,000 to cover one person in case of a collision caused by an uninsured/underinsured driver
Regarding liability coverage, the state DMV encourages people to purchase policies with higher limits, as do most industry experts (see the following section below: “How Much Vehicle Insurance Do You Need?”).
Alternatives to Insurance in Connecticut
Drivers who don't want to invest in insurance from a company may "self-insure" in Connecticut. Here are the steps:
- Make a cash deposit or other financial arrangement that covers the minimum liability amounts given above.
- Get approval from the state insurance commissioner by showing you can efficiently pay out claims in the event of a traffic incident.
- Self-insured drivers who are responsible for traffic collisions should hope the damage or injuries aren't too serious. Otherwise, just like other drivers with low limits, they may find themselves depleting their savings or putting their home at risk if they are sued.
How Much Coverage Do You Need in Connecticut?
In a serious car accident, cheap insurance may not cut it. Insurance experts recommend $100,000/$300,000 in liability coverage for injuries, just to be safe.
If you own a relatively new vehicle, look into collision and comprehensive insurance. If you bought a new car on financing, lenders require you to carry both types of insurance. If you are in an accident or something unexpected happens to your vehicle — say, it gets crushed by a falling tree — you will be able to repair or replace it.
You may also want to consider getting more than the minimum required amount of uninsured motorist insurance. This helps protect you in a hit-and-run accident, as well as an accident if an uninsured driver hits you.
Average Insurance Rate by City in Connecticut
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- CityAnnuallyMonthly
- 1.$1,442$120
- 2.$1,469$122
- 3.$1,124$94
FAQs About Car Insurance in Connecticut
Connecticut drivers often have questions about car insurance coverage and prices in their state. Here are the answers to some of these queries to help you make the right policy purchase decision.
Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Connecticut
- What are the key factors drivers in Connecticut should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
- What steps can drivers in Connecticut take to find affordable car insurance?
Dr. Jose Mendoza
Assistant Professor in Marketing, Jack Welch College of Business & Technology at Sacred Heart University
Ben Brewer
Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Hartford
About the Author
sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Sobering Facts: Alcohol-Impaired Driving State Fact Sheets." Accessed December 16, 2020.
- Defense Manpower Data Center. "Military and Civilian Personnel by Service/Agency by State/Country." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Experian. "2019 Consumer Credit Review." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Experian. "Why Do Car Insurance Companies Base Their Rates on Credit Scores?." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2018 Market Share Reports." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Fatality Analysis Reporting Center Data." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- Progressive. "Do speeding tickets and other violations affect insurance rates?." Accessed March 1, 2020.
- State of Connecticut DMV. "Two-Year Photo License Renewal for Individuals 65 or Over." Accessed March 1, 2020.