Connecticut car insurance requirements

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Connecticut raised its minimum liability limits from 20/40/10 to 25/50/25 under a 2017 law, and the same law raised required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. That second part is the distinctive piece: many states leave UM/UIM optional, but a Connecticut policy must carry it, so your own policy pays when a driver without enough insurance hurts you.

Enforcement runs through the DMV rather than primarily through traffic stops. Insurers must report uninsured motorists, and if a lapse lasts more than 14 days the DMV mails a warning notice and then suspends all registration privileges. Clearing it means paying a $200 civil penalty for each lapse and providing proof of insurance, with a hearing available on narrow questions such as whether the vehicle was registered to you and whether you kept continuous coverage. Connecticut is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence, and its credit rules bar rating on a credit score alone. Dense traffic corridors, nor'easters and winter ice shape claims.

Connecticut minimum liability limits

To register and drive a car in Connecticut you need at least this much liability coverage:

• $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
• $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
• $25,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.

Raised from 20/40/10 by a 2017 state law, which also raised the required uninsured/underinsured motorist limits.

Other required and offered coverage

Besides liability, Connecticut requires:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident

Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

Is Connecticut a no-fault state?

Connecticut is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.

Connecticut uses modified comparative negligence, so an injured person who is more than 50 percent at fault cannot recover damages.

Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.

Can insurers use your credit in Connecticut?

Status: Restricted. Connecticut law (CGS 38a-686) bars setting personal-lines rates on credit score alone or on a lack of credit history, and bars using disputed credit information and medical-debt collections.

See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Connecticut

The DMV charges an uninsured motorist civil penalty of $200 for each lapse of insurance, and the registration is suspended until the penalty is paid and proof of insurance is provided. Driving without required insurance can also carry separate criminal fines under state law.

Insurers report uninsured motorists to the DMV, which mails a warning notice and suspends all registration privileges if an insurance lapse of more than 14 days is not resolved by the notice's effective date.

If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.

Tips for Connecticut drivers

• If you cancel a car's insurance, also cancel or surrender its registration. The DMV treats a lapse of more than 14 days as grounds for a suspension notice and a $200 penalty.
• Respond to a DMV insurance warning notice immediately. If you cannot prove continuous coverage, you can request a hearing, but only before the suspension date on the notice.
• Check your uninsured/underinsured motorist limits. Connecticut requires $25,000/$50,000, and you can ask what higher limits cost relative to your liability limits.
• A lapse is not erased by new coverage. Even if you buy a new policy, the $200 civil penalty per lapse can still apply unless you can show continuous insurance.
• Winter storms and potholes drive collision and comprehensive claims. Ask what your deductible is and whether you want a different one before winter.
• If a disputed or incomplete credit file affects your quote, ask your insurer how it handled it. Connecticut bars using disputed credit information and medical-debt collections.

When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.

Official resources

• Insurance regulator: Connecticut Insurance Department
• Motor vehicle agency: Connecticut DMV

Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.

Frequently asked questions

What are the minimum car insurance limits in Connecticut?

Connecticut requires at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. A 2017 law raised these from 20/40/10. The same law raised required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and a 2017 law set the minimum at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. It protects you and your passengers if a driver who causes a crash has no insurance or too little. You may be able to buy higher limits, which a licensed agent can explain.

What happens if my insurance lapses in Connecticut?

If insurance lapses for more than 14 days, the DMV can mail a warning notice and then suspend registration privileges, including registering a new vehicle or renewing another one. To clear it you pay an uninsured motorist civil penalty of $200 for each lapse and provide proof of insurance. A hearing can be requested before the suspension date.

Is Connecticut a no-fault state?

No. Connecticut is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other party's damages. It follows modified comparative negligence: your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you cannot recover if you are found more than 50 percent at fault.

Can Connecticut insurers use credit to price auto insurance?

Yes, with restrictions. Under CGS 38a-686, insurers may not set rates on credit score alone, may not consider a lack of credit history, and may not use disputed credit information or medical-debt collections. They must disclose use of credit at application and give reasons if an adverse decision is based on credit.

Sources

• Connecticut DMV – Insurance compliance issues
• Connecticut Insurance Department – Automobile Coverage Information
• Connecticut General Assembly OLR – State Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements (2023-R-0090)
• Connecticut General Assembly – Summary of 2017 HB 5963 on minimum coverage
• NAIC – Use of Credit Reports/Scoring in Underwriting (state chart, Summer 2025)