If you’re buying a car, registering a vehicle, or comparing auto insurance in Connecticut, you may be wondering how much coverage you actually need.
Connecticut car insurance requirements set the minimum coverage drivers must carry. The standard minimum is 25/50/25 liability coverage, which means $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Connecticut also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverage are not required by state law, although a lender or leasing company may require them.
The important distinction is that meeting Connecticut’s minimum requirements does not necessarily mean you have enough protection for your situation.
Connecticut Car Insurance Requirements at a Glance
Connecticut requires registered vehicles to carry liability insurance. The standard minimum is commonly called 25/50/25.
| Coverage | Connecticut minimum | What it covers |
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to others |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident | Damage you cause to another person’s property |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Certain losses caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers |
| Collision | Not required by state law | Certain damage to your vehicle after a collision |
| Comprehensive | Not required by state law | Certain non-collision damage or losses |
Your insurance also generally needs to remain active while your vehicle is registered. If you are registering a vehicle, you need proof of insurance.
That means there are really two questions to consider:
- Does your policy meet Connecticut’s legal requirements?
- Does your coverage provide enough protection for you?
Those are not always the same thing.
What Insurance Coverage Is Required in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s required coverages protect against different types of losses. Understanding what each one does can help you decide whether the limits on your policy make sense.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to another person in a covered accident. It can also apply to death resulting from the accident.
Connecticut’s minimum is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
The two limits have different meanings. The $25,000 limit is the maximum applicable amount for one injured person. The $50,000 limit applies to the total bodily injury liability coverage available for one accident.
For example, if two people are injured in an accident you caused, the applicable $50,000 per-accident limit is shared between those claims.
The minimum limits satisfy Connecticut’s basic requirement, but a serious accident can result in costs that exceed those amounts.
Property Damage Liability
Property damage liability helps pay for damage you cause to someone else’s property.
Connecticut requires at least $25,000 per accident.
For example, if you cause an accident that damages another driver’s vehicle, property damage liability may help cover the resulting costs, up to your policy limit.
This coverage generally does not pay to repair your own vehicle. Damage to your vehicle may require collision or comprehensive coverage, depending on what happened.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Connecticut also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The minimum is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
This coverage can protect eligible insured people when another driver causes an accident but does not have enough insurance to cover certain losses.
This is different from liability coverage. Liability coverage generally protects other people when you cause an accident. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can provide protection when the other driver is responsible. For a broader look at coverage considerations, see our guide to insurance for Connecticut drivers.
What Car Insurance Is Not Required in Connecticut?
Some common auto insurance coverages are not required by Connecticut law.
That does not necessarily mean they are unnecessary. Your vehicle, finances, and how you use your car can all affect whether additional coverage makes sense.
Collision Coverage
Connecticut does not require collision coverage by state law.
Collision coverage generally helps pay for covered damage to your vehicle after a collision. This can include certain accidents involving another vehicle or an object, as well as covered rollover damage.
Whether you need it depends partly on your vehicle’s value and your ability to pay for repairs yourself.
If your car is financed or leased, your lender or leasing company may require collision coverage even though Connecticut law does not.
Comprehensive Coverage
Connecticut also does not require comprehensive coverage by state law.
Comprehensive coverage generally applies to certain losses that are not caused by a collision. Depending on the policy, examples can include theft, fire, hail, flood, or animal strikes.
This coverage typically includes a deductible, which is the amount you pay toward a covered loss before insurance pays.
Your vehicle’s value and exposure to these risks can help determine whether comprehensive coverage is worth considering.
What About “Full Coverage”?
You may hear people refer to a policy as having “full coverage.” However, full coverage is not a specific legal requirement in Connecticut.
The term commonly refers to a policy that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. It does not mean every possible loss is covered.
If you finance or lease a vehicle, check your agreement rather than relying on the term “full coverage.” Your lender may have specific insurance requirements.
Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut requires proof of insurance when registering a vehicle.
Your insurer provides a Connecticut Insurance Identification Card, which can serve as proof of coverage for registration.
Insurance generally must remain active while the vehicle stays registered. This is important if you are changing insurance companies, selling a vehicle, or no longer using a car.
If you stop using a vehicle, make sure its registration status matches your insurance status. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to cancel the registration or place the plates on hold.
Keeping your registration and insurance records aligned can help prevent problems with the DMV.
What Happens If Your Connecticut Car Insurance Lapses?
A lapse in insurance can lead to action from the Connecticut DMV.
If the DMV identifies a lapse lasting more than 14 days, it may send a suspension notice. A $200 payment may also apply in certain cases.
If the issue is not resolved, your registration privileges may be suspended.
The 14-day period does not mean you are allowed to drive without insurance. It relates to how the DMV handles reported insurance lapses.
What If the DMV Says You Had a Lapse?
A notice does not always mean you actually drove without insurance. Records can sometimes show a lapse when coverage remained active or your circumstances changed.
If you believe the notice is incorrect, you may need documentation showing what happened. Your insurance declaration page may also help document the coverage shown on your policy.
Examples include proof that:
- Your coverage remained continuous
- You changed insurance companies
- You sold the vehicle
- You moved out of Connecticut
- The vehicle was totaled or repossessed
- The registration was canceled
- The plates were placed on hold
If you’re switching insurers, make sure your new coverage is active before canceling the old policy. That helps avoid an unintended gap.
Are Connecticut’s Minimum Insurance Limits Enough?
Meeting Connecticut’s minimum requirements keeps your policy within the state’s basic legal limits. It does not automatically mean those limits are enough for your circumstances.
The Connecticut Insurance Department recommends considering higher coverage limits. Your situation can help determine how much protection makes sense. If you’re also comparing premiums, it helps to understand how much car insurance costs in Connecticut and what can affect the price.
Consider factors such as:
- Your vehicle: A more valuable vehicle can create greater repair or replacement costs.
- Your finances: Your assets can affect your potential financial exposure after an accident.
- Your driving: More time on the road can mean greater exposure to accidents.
- Your household: Other drivers in your household may affect your policy.
- Your financing: A lender may require collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Your deductible: A higher deductible means more out-of-pocket cost after a covered loss.
For example, suppose you cause an accident that results in $40,000 in injury damages. If your applicable bodily injury limit is $25,000 per person, your policy may not cover the entire amount.
The remaining amount could create a potential financial gap, depending on the circumstances and applicable policy terms.
This does not mean every Connecticut driver needs higher limits. It shows why the legal minimum and the amount of protection you may want are two different questions.
If you’re unsure whether your current limits fit your vehicle and financial situation, a coverage review can help you understand where your policy stands.
Sources
- Connecticut DMV, Learn how to comply with insurance, tax, and registration laws
- Connecticut Insurance Department, Auto Insurance
- Connecticut General Assembly, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 38a-336 (uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage)
Connecticut Car Insurance Requirements FAQs
Is car insurance required in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut requires liability insurance for registered vehicles. Registered vehicles generally need continuous coverage, and proof of insurance is required when registering a vehicle.
What is the minimum car insurance coverage in Connecticut?
The standard minimum is 25/50/25.
That means $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.
Connecticut also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The minimum is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The coverage can protect eligible insured people after certain accidents involving drivers who do not have enough insurance.
Does Connecticut require collision and comprehensive insurance?
No. Connecticut law does not require collision or comprehensive coverage. However, a lender or leasing company may require these coverages for a financed or leased vehicle.
Do I need insurance to register a vehicle in Connecticut?
Yes. You need proof of insurance when registering a vehicle. Your insurer provides a Connecticut Insurance Identification Card as proof of coverage. Registered vehicles generally must also maintain continuous insurance.
What happens if my Connecticut car insurance lapses?
A lapse can trigger DMV action. If the DMV identifies a lapse lasting more than 14 days, it may issue a suspension notice. A $200 payment may also apply in certain situations.
Does Connecticut require “full coverage” car insurance?
No. “Full coverage” is not a specific Connecticut legal requirement. The term commonly refers to liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Collision and comprehensive may be required by a lender, but they are not required by state law.
Review Your Connecticut Auto Insurance
Connecticut’s minimum insurance requirements give you a starting point. Your actual coverage needs may be different depending on your vehicle, finances, driving exposure, and whether you have a loan or lease.
If you’re comparing Connecticut auto insurance, Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance can help you understand the differences between policies, not just the premium.