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.
The Best Cheap Connecticut Car Insurance Companies for 2021
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Cheapest Car Insurance Companies and Quotes in Connecticut
Several individual factors impact the price of car insurance in Connecticut on a case-by-case basis. To help you find the most affordable option, MoneyGeek ranked the cheapest car insurance providers in Connecticut, based on comprehensive and collision coverage for the average driver. If you want a concrete idea about how much you have to pay, you can compare quotes from different companies.
Average Comprehensive and Collision Rates in Connecticut
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$847$71
- 2. GEICO$925$77
- 3. Progressive$1,167$97
- 4. State Farm$1,324$110
- 5. Amica Mutual$1,375$115
The figures represented are average costs. Different providers weigh risks differently. One provider might consider speeding tickets or DUIs a more significant risk than others. Another insurer might incentivize a clean driving record with discounts, or lower premiums for cars with better safety features. It is a good idea to look at all of your options.
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Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in Connecticut
Having liability insurance is necessary for Connecticut drivers. It covers medical expenses and vehicle damages to the other driver if you cause an accident. However, liability coverage does not cover your medical expenses or the repair costs for your own vehicle. Like most states, Connecticut has a minimum liability requirement. For most drivers, the cheapest coverage option for a state minimum of 25/50/25 is from GEICO. This carrier also offers the most affordable average premium for most drivers with 50/100/50 coverage.
Average Cost for Liability Coverage
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$425$35
- 2. GEICO$470$39
- 3. Amica Mutual$708$59
- 4. State Farm$747$62
- 5. Travelers$817$68
The Best Car Insurance Companies in Connecticut for 2021
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.
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While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.
Market Share by Company
Data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners identified GEICO as the largest insurer in Connecticut. Choosing a well-known insurance company can help ensure you get the assistance you need with local agents and strong customer service.
- CompanyMarket Share
- 1. GEICO18.7%
- 2. Progressive10.2%
- 3. Allstate9.9%
- 9.2%
- 5. State Farm6.8%
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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
Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI in Connecticut
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.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. Progressive$1,381$115
- 2. State Farm$1,441$120
- 3. USAA$1,741$145
- 4. Allstate$2,181$182
- 5. Travelers$2,493$208
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.
Cheapest Car Insurance With Tickets in Connecticut
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.
Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$967$81
- 2. State Farm$1,441$120
- 3. Progressive$1,489$124
- 4. Nationwide$1,491$124
- 5. Allstate$1,540$128
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.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Connecticut for Drivers With Bad Credit
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.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$1,361$113
- 2. GEICO$1,433$119
- 3. Progressive$1,707$142
- 4. Travelers$2,246$187
- 5. Nationwide$2,260$188
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.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Connecticut for Seniors
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.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. USAA$947$79
- 2. GEICO$1,144$95
- 3. Progressive$1,295$108
- 4. State Farm$1,307$109
- 5. Nationwide$1,581$132
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.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Students in Connecticut
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.
Average Car Insurance Rates for Students
- CompanyAnnuallyMonthly
- 1. GEICO$2,589$216
- 2. Progressive$2,914$243
- 3. Allstate$3,145$262
- 4. Nationwide$3,808$317
- 5. State Farm$3,821$318
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.
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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.