Do you need car insurance to register a car in Connecticut?

Having car insurance is a requirement to get your car registered in Connecticut. Aside from your insurance ID, the documents you need to prepare are the following: Bill of sale certificate Emissions and VIN verification reports Proof of identity Out-of-state title and registration (if applicable) Application for registration and certificate of title

What is “basic” car insurance in Connecticut?

You must have insurance with at least 25/50/25 liability coverage if you want to drive in Connecticut. Your policy should also include uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance with the same limits for bodily injuries. All of these are part of Connecticut’s minimum car insurance requirements.

Does insurance follow the car or driver in Connecticut?

Generally, car insurance follows the car in Connecticut, not the driver. It means if you lend your car to someone and they get into an accident, your insurance carrier covers the other party’s medical and repair costs if the driver of your vehicle was at fault. It has its benefits, especially if you have a personal driver who chauffeurs you everywhere. It guarantees that if you get into an accident, you’ll be covered even if you weren’t behind the wheel.

Can you get car insurance without a license in Connecticut?

There are several situations wherein you may want to purchase car insurance even if you don’t have a license. For some, it’s due to a medical condition that doesn’t allow them to drive. Others want to protect vintage cars from theft, vandalism or other damages, which comprehensive insurance provides. It may be a challenge since most national insurers won’t sell you insurance if you don’t have a license, but it is possible. You can also opt to get insurance from an independent agent or a regional insurance provider.

Is Connecticut a No-Fault State and What Does This Mean?

Connecticut is a tort state. It means if you get into an accident and are at fault, you’ll have to pay for the other party’s expenses from medical bills and property damage. Your insurance provider can help you cover costs up to your liability limits. If you don’t have insurance, you’ll have to pay for everything out of your pocket.

Is PIP Coverage Required in Connecticut?

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage isn’t part of Connecticut’s minimum car insurance requirements. You can choose to add this to your policy. It gives you additional protection since it helps with medical expenses if you or your passengers sustain injuries, regardless of who was at fault.

Does Connecticut Require Uninsured Motorist Insurance?

More than liability coverage, Connecticut’s car insurance requirements also include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. At the very least, your limits should be at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident. You can choose to purchase more and increase your limits to up to double your liability coverage.

Does Connecticut Allow for Diminished Value Compensation After an Accident?

You’re entitled to the diminished value of your car after an accident in Connecticut. You must file your claim within two years of the accident for it to be processed. You can't file a claim if you were at fault or uninsured. You also cannot get compensation if something other than a collision caused your car's damage.

How Do Car Insurance Requirements Change After a DUI in Connecticut?

When you’re convicted of a severe traffic violation, you’ll need to file for SR-22 insurance — driving under the influence is one of these violations. Filing for an SR-22 form requires you to pay a one-time fee of $25. You’ll have to carry it for three years. You’ll also lose eligibility for safe driver discounts offered by your insurance provider. SR-22 insurance tags you as a high-risk driver, which significantly raises your annual insurance premium.

What is a CARCO Inspection and is it Required?

In some states, you need to complete a pre-insurance inspection before you can buy car insurance. CARCO is the company that gathers this information, puts it in reports and submits them to insurance providers. Carriers use it to prevent fraudulent claims since these provide proof of a car’s condition before an insurance policy takes effect. Connecticut does not require CARCO inspections from car owners.

Connecticut Minimum Car Insurance Requirements, Penalties and Other Auto Insurance Laws

Q: Is car insurance required in Connecticut?

According to car insurance laws in Connecticut, all registered vehicles must be insured. Penalties for driving with no insurance in Connecticut range from paying a hefty fine to the suspension of your license and registration.

You need to have insurance if you want to drive in Connecticut. Being a tort state, you’ll be obliged to cover the other driver’s medical and repair expenses if you cause an accident. Car insurance laws in Connecticut require a policy with liability limits of at least 25/50/25. You also need uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage with the same thresholds. Connecticut’s car insurance laws are strict — you can get penalized for driving without insurance, not being able to show proof of insurance during a traffic stop or if you let your policy lapse, resulting in a coverage gap.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Connecticut
How Much Does Minimum Car Insurance Cost?
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Connecticut
FAQs

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Connecticut?

When calculating how much car insurance you need in Connecticut, there are several things to consider. Primarily, you need to be aware of Connecticut’s car insurance requirements.

According to Connecticut’s insurance laws, you must have at least liability coverage of 25/50/25 and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance with 25/50 limits. It protects you from the other driver’s cost of damages up until the following thresholds:

$25,000 for bodily injury per person
$50,000 for bodily injury per accident
$25,000 for property damage
$25,000 for bodily injury per person for uninsured/underinsured motorists
$50,000 for bodily injury per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorists

In Connecticut, all registered vehicles need to be insured. To avoid penalties for driving with no insurance in Connecticut, make sure your policy fulfills these minimum requirements.

What Does This Minimum Coverage Mean?

Connecticut’s minimum requirements of 25/50/25 mean that if you cause an accident, your insurance protects against costs of damages from the other party’s medical bills up to $50,000 for all people, with a limit of $25,000 per individual. If their car or any other property is damaged, your insurance provider also helps with expenses up to $25,000.

Connecticut’s car insurance requirements also include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. It helps you pay for costs incurred due to a collision with an uninsured driver. Connecticut’s minimum car insurance requirements state that you need to have at least $25,000 worth of coverage for bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident. If you want more protection, you can choose to increase your limits up to double your liability coverage.

How Much Does the Minimum Car Insurance Cost in Connecticut?

Car insurance providers consider several factors when setting premiums. These include some personal information such as your age, driving history and credit standing. Where exactly in the state you live also factors into the cost of your car insurance in Connecticut each year.

Comparing quotes from several providers is always encouraged because carriers don’t compute rates the same way. The insurance company providing the cheapest minimum car insurance option in Connecticut is USAA. Their policy costs $425 per year on average but is only available to present and former military members and their families. Another affordable option is GEICO, which offers more widely available policies. You can buy insurance with similar coverage for an average annual rate of $470.

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Connecticut driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

The table shows rates for policies meeting Connecticut’s minimum car insurance requirements of 25/50/25 for liability coverage. It also includes uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance with 25/50 limits for bodily injuries.

To complete this analysis, MoneyGeek used the sample profile of a 40-year-old male driving a 2010 Toyota Camry. His profile includes a clean driving record and a good credit standing.

MoneyGeek also ranked the best car insurance companies in Connecticut for those who want strong service and affordable rates.

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Connecticut While Leasing a Car?

While you only need liability coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance to fulfill Connecticut’s minimum car insurance requirements, it may not be enough if you’re driving a leased car.

The lender sets car insurance requirements for leased cars in Connecticut, not the state. Most leasing companies require you to have physical damage insurance — meaning comprehensive and collision coverage — to make sure their assets are protected. It means you’ll need a full coverage car insurance policy. They also prefer your liability limits to be at least 100/300/50.

Before you go looking around for quotes, it’s best to get in touch with your leasing company to know their specific requirements. It’s also an opportunity to understand their process and payment terms.

Although a policy fulfilling Connecticut’s car insurance requirements allows you to drive in the state, MoneyGeek recommends getting a full coverage policy with at least 50/100/50 limits.

Connecticut currently ranks 44th among states with regards to the number of uninsured drivers. It may not be high, but 6.6% of all drivers are still uninsured. Uninsured/uninsured motorist insurance doesn’t just cover your medical expenses if the at-fault driver has no coverage — you can also use it in the event of a hit-and-run.

Consider your options before determining how much car insurance you need in Connecticut. Although it may result in a higher premium, more coverage will also provide you more protection on the road.

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in Connecticut

Connecticut’s car insurance laws are strict. The state has a mandatory insurance reporting law, which requires carriers to submit records of any uninsured vehicle.

The penalties for driving with no insurance in Connecticut include:

Up to $500 fine and up to three months in jail for the vehicle owner
$100–1,000 fine for the driver
One month suspension of license and registration for the first offense
Six months suspension of license and registration for subsequent offenses

To have your driver’s license reinstated, you need to file for SR-22 insurance and pay a $175 restoration fee.

Connecticut also has a different set of penalties for other insurance-related offenses. It includes failing to show proof of insurance and not maintaining an updated car insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in Connecticut

Here are several questions drivers frequently ask about car insurance laws in Connecticut.

Learn More About Car Insurance

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

sources

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Compliance Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed September 18, 2021.
Connecticut Insurance Department. "Automobile Coverage Information." Accessed September 17, 2021.
Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured Motorists." Accessed September 17, 2021.
Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed September 17, 2021.