Auto Insurance in Connecticut

Guide to Auto Insurance in Connecticut

Strategies to help you cut costs on car insurance in Connecticut
By Matt Alderton

Car insurance in Connecticut, like gas or rent, is expensive yet necessary. It doesn't just protect your car from dents; it protects you and other drivers from both bodily harm and financial ruin. For that reason, Connecticut car insurance coverage isn't just something that drivers in the "Constitution State" should have; it's something they must have.

Connecticut auto insurance coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. You may be able to save by shopping around, declining unnecessary coverage and trading high deductibles for lower premiums. Indeed, you can cut costs, but you can't cut corners. If you drive in Connecticut, you need auto insurance in Connecticut. Here's what kind and how much, according to Connecticut state law:

1. When buying auto insurance in Connecticut, drivers must purchase bodily injury liability (BIL), property damage liability (PDL) and uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage; collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured property damage coverage are recommended, but not required.
2. Auto insurance in Connecticut must include BIL coverage of at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for costs associated with the injury or death of others in a wreck.
3. Auto insurance in Connecticut must include PDL coverage of at least $10,000 for damage to another person's property in an accident.
4. In Connecticut, car insurance must include at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) coverage in the event that you’re in an accident with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse Connecticut auto insurance rates online If you need Connecticut auto insurance, online quotes are a good starting point. Available from all major auto insurance companies in Connecticut, they offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend:  Get comprehensive online quotes from Connecticut car insurance providers at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit Connecticut car insurance quotes from national providers Most major car insurance carriers offer auto insurance in Connecticut and all provide competitive Connecticut auto insurance rates.

I recommend:  Among the largest and most popular car insurance companies in Connecticut are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. National associations like AAA and AARP are also good sources for affordable auto insurance in Connecticut.

Get car insurance in Connecticut from local and regional companies In Connecticut, auto insurance rates can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider locally based providers.

I recommend:  For automotive insurance in Connecticut, try Connecticut-based providers and agents like New London County Mutual Insurance Company, Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Co. and Connecticut Casualty Company. Also consider local programs, like the Connecticut Automobile Insurance Assigned Risk Plan, which exists for drivers who can't easily find auto insurance in Connecticut.

Use an independent agent to find Connecticut car insurance bargains Buying car insurance in Connecticut via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and special rates.

I recommend:  To find an independent agent who can sell you car insurance in Connecticut, use the “find an independent agent” feature at the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut website.

Choose Connecticut auto insurance companies that you can trust Before doing business with Connecticut car insurance providers, review their records with consumers to make sure they are reliable, reputable and responsible.

I recommend:  If you subscribe to Consumer Reports, you can check up on car insurance companies in Connecticut. Another good resource is the Connecticut Insurance Department, which compiles statistics on complaints against auto insurance companies in Connecticut that it publishes via rankings on its Consumer Services page.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Consider buying more coverage than is required by state law; minimum Connecticut car insurance might not be enough to cover car repairs or medical bills after an accident.
• Penalties for drivers who don't have Connecticut car insurance include cash fines and vehicle impoundment.
• If you're leasing or financing your car, dealerships might require you to have more and better Connecticut auto insurance than is required by state law.
• Higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums and more monthly savings on auto insurance in Connecticut.