The Cheapest Car Insurance in Connecticut for 2022

Several factors, including coverage amounts, credit score, driving history and age, can affect car insurance costs in Connecticut. Although GEICO is the cheapest for our sample driver, the most affordable company for you may be different.

For instance, GEICO is the cheapest for full coverage and those who have at-fault accidents, but State Farm has the most affordable car insurance policy for drivers with a ticket. Meanwhile, USAA is the cheapest option for military families.

For those looking for an even more local solution, we also broke down the cheapest companies by city, as well as the best car insurance companies in Connecticut for those looking to balance quality service and cost.

To find out how MoneyGeek calculated the cheapest car insurance in Connecticut, read our methodology.

cheapestauto insuranceConnecticut2022

The Cheapest Car Insurance in Connecticut

Cheapest for minimum liability - GEICO

Cheapest for full coverage - GEICO

Cheapest for drivers with a DUI - Progressive

Cheapest after an accident - USAA

Cheapest for drivers with a ticket - State Farm

Cheapest for drivers with bad credit - GEICO

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:

• GEICO: $470 per year
• Amica Mutual: $708 per year

USAA, exclusively available to military members and their families, is the cheapest car insurance for the military in the state at an average of $425 per year. The most expensive car insurance company for minimum coverage is MetLife, costing $1,679 per year on average.

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Connecticut

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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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 for full coverage in Connecticut are:

• GEICO: $925 per year
• Progressive: $1,167 per year

USAA is the cheapest average full coverage car insurance in Connecticut at $847 annually. However, it is only available to current and former military members and their families. MetLife is the most expensive carrier for full coverage, with average costs of $2,295 per year.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Connecticut

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.

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.

MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator can help you compare quote estimates for the average Connecticut driver. For a personalized quote, enter more information.

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.

Auto Insurance Calculator

State

Connecticut

Age

30-65

Driving Record

Clean

Credit Score

Excellent

Vehicle Type

Compact

Vehicle Year

2020

Liability Coverage

State Min

Comprehensive and Collision Insurance

None

Gender

Female

Add Student Driver

Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates

Click the section of the wheel in your price range to see options.

low end

on average

high end

Click your preferred price range to see company options.

Click an insurer below to visit their review page or continue to your personalized quote.

Company

Average Annual Rates

1.

USAA

$464

2.

GEICO

$478

3.

Amica Mutual

$755

4.

State Farm

$797

5.

Travelers

$878

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A severe driving offense like a DUI can significantly increase your auto insurance costs. Drivers in Connecticut with a DUI might need to file an SR-22. 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

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.

Your auto insurance premiums in Connecticut can increase significantly after having an at-fault accident. The average annual rate of auto insurance for drivers with at-fault accidents in the state is $2,088.

MoneyGeek found that the two cheapest companies for drivers with at-fault accidents on their records are:

• GEICO: $1,340 per year
• State Farm: $1,441 per year

If you are qualified, USAA is your most affordable option. The average cost of a USAA policy for drivers with at-fault accidents is $1,171 per year.

Cheapest Car Insurance With an At-Fault Accident

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:

• State Farm: $1,441 per year
• Progressive: $1,489 per year

USAA offers cheap car insurance for drivers with tickets at an average cost of $967 per year. This insurance is only offered to military members and their families. Meanwhile, MetLife has the highest average rate for drivers with tickets in Connecticut, as their rate was roughly $2,817 per year in MoneyGeek's study.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

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:

• GEICO: $1,433 per year
• Progressive: $1,707 per year

USAA, at $1,361 on average per year, offers the most affordable car insurance for drivers with bad credit. However, this option is exclusive to military members and their families. MetLife is the most expensive in the state at an average of $5,052 annually.

Average Car Insurance Rates 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.

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:

• GEICO: $1,144 per year
• Progressive: $1,295 per year

USAA offers cheap car insurance for seniors at an average of $947 per year. This insurance is only available to current and former military members and their families. 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

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.

In Connecticut, car insurance is more expensive for young drivers because of their inexperience. The average cost to insure a 16-year-old in the state is $3,471 per year. A similar policy will cost an average of $1,429 for 25-year-old drivers. These average rates are for a full coverage policy.

The most affordable car insurance carriers in Connecticut for young drivers with full coverage are:

• GEICO: $2,589 per year
• Progressive: $2,914 per year

GEICO is most commonly the cheapest car insurance provider for young drivers in Connecticut. Based on average rates, it is the most affordable option for every age in the 16-25 range.

Annual Car Insurance In Connecticut for Young Drivers

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• Age
  Average Cost
  Cheapest Company
  Company Cost
• 16
  $3,471
  GEICO
  $2,680
• 17
  $3,305
  GEICO
  $2,637
• 18
  $2,989
  GEICO
  $2,449
• 19
  $3,121
  GEICO
  $2,373
• 20
  $2,736
  GEICO
  $2,184
• 21
  $2,206
  GEICO
  $1,748
• 22
  $2,026
  GEICO
  $1,602
• 23
  $1,757
  GEICO
  $1,310
• 24
  $1,590
  GEICO
  $1,115
• 25
  $1,429
  GEICO
  $1,001

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Getting cheap car insurance for young drivers in Connecticut starts with parents adding them to their insurance policy. Other cost-saving measures can include discounts for young drivers in a midsize vehicle, good grades and driver’s education. Shop around for the best car insurance for students and remember to research what happens if/when your young driver goes to college in a different state. Such a change can impact your premium or require them to get a separate policy.

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

25 years$1,712
50 years$1,484

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 homes 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.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Connecticut by City

Auto insurance rates in Connecticut may also vary depending on your location. For instance, Stamford residents pay an average of $1,124 per year for a full coverage policy. This is the cheapest in the state. Meanwhile, New Haven is the most expensive city, with an average rate of $1,469 per year.

Click on your city to learn more about auto insurance policies and rates in your area.

Average Insurance Rate by City in Connecticut

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• City
  Annually
  Monthly
• 1.
  Bridgeport
  $1,442
  $120
• 2.
  Hartford
  $1,483
  $124
• 3.
  New Haven
  $1,469
  $122
• 4.
  Stamford
  $1,124
  $94
• 5.
  Waterbury
  $1,339
  $112

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

1. What are the key factors drivers in Connecticut should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
2. 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

READ ANSWERS

Ben Brewer

Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Hartford

READ ANSWERS

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About the Author

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Katy McWhirter is a professional writer and owner of Heritage Creatives, a boutique historical branding agency. She has experience in nonprofit management, marketing, personal finance, government relations and education from her decade-plus writing career. Katy’s work has been featured in both the United States and abroad, highlighting the need for research-driven, accessible information on financial topics.

Katy earned her bachelor’s degree in social entrepreneurship from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and her master’s degree in modern history from the University of York in England. She spends her free time with her husband and two cats, restoring their 1901 home in Louisville and reading up on all things personal finance.

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