State
Connecticut car insurance requirements and laws
Connecticut requires 25/50/25 liability plus uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that matches your liability limits unless you choose less in writing.
Minimum coverage
| Liability limits | 25/50/25 |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury, per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury, per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage | $25,000 |
| Other required coverage | Uninsured/underinsured motorist 25/50 (equal to your liability limits unless you sign for lower limits) |
Rules
| Fault system | At-fault — the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the damage through their liability insurance |
|---|---|
| PIP required | No — Connecticut repealed its no-fault law in 1994; medical payments coverage is optional |
| Uninsured motorist required | Yes — UM/UIM is required, at your bodily injury liability limits unless you request a lower amount in writing (minimum 25/50) |
| Negligence rule | Modified comparative negligence (51% bar) — you recover if your fault is not greater than the other parties' combined (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-572h) |
| Penalty for driving uninsured | $100 to $1,000 fine and a one-month suspension of registration and driver's license for a first conviction |
| Time limit to sue | 2 years for personal injury and property damage caused by negligence (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584) |
Costs and context
| Average cost | $1,394 average annual expenditure (NAIC, 2023 data) |
|---|---|
| Uninsured drivers | About 1 in 8 drivers (11.8%, Insurance Research Council, 2023) |
Regulator
| Insurance regulator | Connecticut Insurance Department |
|---|---|
| Consumer hotline | 800-203-3447 |
| Website | portal.ct.gov/cid |
| Address | 280 Trumbull Street, 7th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103 |
Minimum car insurance requirements
Connecticut requires every registered private passenger vehicle to carry continuous insurance (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-371) with liability limits of at least 25/50/25 (§ 14-112): $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 for all injuries in one crash and $25,000 for damage to other people's property. Every policy must also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (§ 38a-336). Compare states with the state car insurance requirements lookup.
| Coverage | Connecticut minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability, per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability, per accident | $25,000 |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Equal to your liability limits; no lower than 25/50 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Not required |
How the UM/UIM rule works. By default, your uninsured/underinsured motorist limits must equal the bodily injury liability limits you buy. You can choose lower limits, but not below 25/50, and only by signing an informed consent form that lists your options and their prices. Insurers must also offer UM/UIM limits up to twice your liability limits. Your choice carries over to renewals until you change it in writing.
What the minimums mean in practice. If you cause a crash and the other driver's medical bills come to $40,000, a 25/50/25 policy pays $25,000, and the remaining $15,000 can be pursued from you. Connecticut's dense traffic and high medical costs mean a serious injury can exceed minimum limits quickly; how much liability coverage do you need? and the How much car insurance do I need? can help you choose.
Connecticut checks coverage through an Online Insurance Verification System (§ 14-112a), which police can use during stops.
Fault system and what it means after a crash
Connecticut is an at-fault state. It had a no-fault system from the 1970s until the legislature repealed it effective January 1, 1994, and claims now run through the at-fault driver's liability insurance. After a crash you can claim against the other driver's insurer, use your own collision coverage, or sue. See no-fault vs at-fault states.
Connecticut applies modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar (§ 52-572h). You can recover as long as your negligence is not greater than the combined negligence of the people you are suing, and your award is reduced by your share. A driver 40% at fault recovers 60% of their damages; a driver 51% at fault recovers nothing.
Negligence lawsuits for injury or property damage generally must be filed within two years (§ 52-584). See statutes of limitations for car accident claims.
Optional coverage worth considering here
- Higher UM/UIM limits. Because your UM/UIM matches your liability limits, raising liability limits also raises your protection against underinsured drivers. The Insurance Research Council estimates about 11.8% of Connecticut drivers were uninsured in 2023, but many more carry only minimum limits. See uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage explained and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Medical payments. medical payments coverage pays your medical bills regardless of fault and fills gaps in health insurance.
- Collision and comprehensive. Required by lenders; comprehensive covers nor'easter damage, flooding, falling limbs and deer strikes (comprehensive coverage explained).
- Safety glass. Connecticut requires insurers to offer optional coverage that repairs or replaces damaged safety glass without a deductible (§ 38a-339); see full glass coverage and zero-deductible windshield repair.
- An umbrella policy if you own a home or have significant savings (umbrella insurance: liability protection above your auto policy).
What drives rates in Connecticut
The NAIC puts Connecticut's average annual expenditure at $1,394 in 2023, above the national average of $1,282. These figures mix all policy types and do not predict an individual quote (What NAIC auto insurance data measures).
Connecticut's costs reflect dense traffic along the I-95 and I-84 corridors, high medical and repair costs typical of the Northeast, winter weather and the required UM/UIM coverage. Rates in Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport tend to be higher than in rural Litchfield or Windham counties (Why your ZIP code changes your car insurance price).
Penalties for driving uninsured
Operating, or letting someone operate, a vehicle without the required coverage is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000 (§ 14-213b). For a first conviction, the Department of Motor Vehicles suspends the owner's registration and driver's license for one month; for a second or later conviction, for six months. The license is not restored until you prove you have insurance on every vehicle registered in your name. Owners who fail to maintain security can also be charged with a class C misdemeanor under § 38a-371. Failing to produce your insurance card is treated as evidence that you are uninsured. See penalties for driving without insurance.
SR-22 and high-risk drivers
Connecticut's Commissioner of Motor Vehicles can require proof of financial responsibility, commonly an SR-22 filed by your insurer, from drivers with records that warrant it, including after repeat violations within a 12-month period (§ 14-112). DMV sets how long the proof must stay on file. SR-22 insurance explained explains the process. Drivers who cannot find coverage can apply to the state's assigned risk plan (§ 38a-385; see assigned risk plans: insurance of last resort) or shop nonstandard auto insurers: who they serve and what to watch.
Insurers with a strong presence in Connecticut
Hartford's long history as an insurance center shows in the market. The Hartford is headquartered there, and Travelers runs major operations in the city. Amica, a mutual based in neighboring Rhode Island, is a familiar regional choice. National carriers GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, State Farm and Liberty Mutual round out the market. See how to choose a car insurance company.
Where to get help
The Connecticut Insurance Department regulates insurers and helps consumers through its Consumer Affairs Division: call 800-203-3447 toll-free or 860-297-3900, or email [email protected]. The department is at 280 Trumbull Street, 7th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103, and accepts complaints online at portal.ct.gov/cid. how to file a complaint against a car insurance company explains what to include. Suspensions and registration issues go to the Department of Motor Vehicles; for injury claims, consult a licensed Connecticut attorney.
Sources
- cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_246.htm
- cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_248.htm
- cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_700.htm
- portal.ct.gov/cid
- iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
- content.naic.org/article/naic-releases-20222023-auto-insurance-database-report
- insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/agencyhearings/NAIC%202023%20Auto%20Insurance%…
Requirements were checked against these sources on the review date below. Laws change - confirm with the state insurance regulator or motor vehicle agency.
Profile last reviewed October 4, 2026