Connecticut Car Insurance Laws And Requirements 2025

In Connecticut, drivers must have liability insurance along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Drivers are also required to carry proof of insurance and show it if asked by law enforcement. The average cost of state-minimum car insurance in Connecticut is about $226 per month.

With 9 years of experience in auto insurance, I’ve helped drivers understand their state’s minimum requirements and find the best insurance policy to meet their needs. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is The Minimum Car Insurance Requirement In Connecticut?

In Connecticut, the minimum car insurance requirements include bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, as well as property damage liability of $25,000 per accident.

Drivers are also required to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which provides protection if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Is Minimum Coverage Enough?

While the minimum coverage requirements in Connecticut meet the legal standards, they may not be enough to fully protect you in the event of a serious accident. The state’s required limits, especially for bodily injury and property damage, might not cover all the expenses if you’re involved in a costly accident, particularly if the damages or medical bills exceed the minimum limits.

Additionally, the minimum coverage doesn’t cover your own vehicle’s damage in an accident that’s your fault, unless you have collision coverage. To ensure better financial protection, it’s often advisable to opt for higher coverage limits and additional coverage options like comprehensive or collision insurance.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance In Connecticut

The cost of car insurance in Connecticut can differ based on age and gender. As shown in the table below, younger drivers typically pay more than older drivers, whether for minimum coverage or full coverage. Male and female drivers in their fifties tend to get the lowest rates.

Connecticut Car Insurance Laws

In 1994, Connecticut changed its car insurance laws from a no-fault system to a tort (at-fault) system. This means that drivers are no longer required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Instead, the driver found to be at fault is responsible for paying for the damages. The at-fault system offers more options for legal action.

Cancellations And Non-Renewals

Regarding cancellations and non-renewals, auto insurance companies cannot cancel policies that have been active for over 60 days unless one of the following occurs: failure to pay the premium, fraud or misrepresentation on the application, or suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.

Non-renewal happens when the insurance company decides not to renew the policy once it expires. In both cases, insurers must notify you and provide a reason before discontinuing your coverage.

The required notice periods are:

• Midterm cancellation: 45 days
• Cancellation due to nonpayment: 15 days for the first premium, 10 days for the second and any subsequent premiums
• Non-renewal: 60 days before the policy expires.

Proof Of Insurance

In Connecticut, drivers are required to carry proof of insurance at all times while operating a vehicle. This proof can be in the form of an insurance card, which is typically provided by your insurance company. You must present this card to law enforcement if asked during a traffic stop or accident.

Additionally, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires insurance companies to electronically report your insurance coverage. If you fail to provide proof of insurance when requested, you could face fines, license suspension, or other penalties. It’s important to keep your proof of insurance up to date and easily accessible while driving.

Registration Information

After establishing residency in Connecticut, you have 90 days to transfer your vehicle registration from your previous state. Here’s what you need to do:

Check for any issues, such as unpaid property taxes or gaps in insurance, that might prevent you from transferring your registration.

Gather the necessary documents and fees:

• Proof of insurance
• A valid form of ID
• Bill of sale for any recently purchased vehicles
• The original vehicle title from the leasing company or lienholder if leasing
• Completed registration application
• Proof of vehicle ownership
• A power of attorney from the leasing company (if applicable)
• Fee

Complete the Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B), available here.

Make an appointment at your local DMV office to submit your registration and pay the fees in person. Find your local office here.

Is Car Insurance Required In Connecticut If You Don’t Own A Vehicle?

Car insurance is required in Connecticut even if you don’t own a vehicle, but only if you plan to drive a car. If you don’t own a vehicle but still drive occasionally, you may need to purchase non-owner car insurance.

This type of insurance provides liability coverage when you’re driving a car that isn’t yours, such as a rental or someone else’s vehicle. It typically covers bodily injury and property damage liability but does not cover damage to the vehicle you’re driving. If you don’t plan to drive at all, you are not required to have insurance.

Legal Penalties For Driving Without Insurance

In Connecticut, drivers are required to have auto insurance that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. If you fail to provide proof of insurance, you may face the following penalties:

• Inability to register a vehicle or renew registration until you have reinstated coverage
• Impoundment of your vehicle and confiscation of your license plates
• A fine ranging from $100 to $1,000
• A $175 fee to reinstate your license and registration
• A $200 fee for reinstating your insurance after cancellation
• A one-month license suspension for a first offense
• A six-month license suspension for a second offense

Additionally, driving without insurance and causing an accident could result in significant out-of-pocket expenses for repairs and medical bills, costly lawsuits, and higher future auto insurance premiums.

Other Types Of Optional Coverage

Here are some common optional coverages that many of our customers in Connecticut choose:

• Collision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement if your car is damaged in a crash with another vehicle or a stationary object. It only covers damage to your car or another car you’re driving with permission.
• Comprehensive coverage helps cover damage to your car from incidents not involving a collision, such as natural disasters, storms, fire, vandalism, or hitting an animal.
• Underinsured Motorist Conversion coverage helps cover injuries that exceed the limits of your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This allows you to receive compensation up to your UIM limit in addition to the other driver’s coverage.
• Gap insurance helps protect you from paying off a totaled car if you still owe money on a loan or lease. It covers the “gap” between your car’s actual value and what you owe on it.