Best Car Insurance in Connecticut
Last Updated on March 24, 2021
Connecticut is one of America’s most expensive states for car insurance. In most rankings, Connecticut is within the top 15 most expensive states for car insurance, with the average driver paying around $1,703 per year for full coverage auto insurance, higher than the United States average of around $1,450 per year.
Fortunately, Connecticut drivers have many options for car insurance. You can pick a cheap, nationwide provider. Or, you can find good value policies from locally-based insurers.
Keep reading to discover the best car insurance providers in Connecticut for drivers with all different car insurance needs.
Table of Contents
- Best Auto Insurance Companies in Connecticut
- Connecticut Auto Insurance Requirements
- Driving Without Insurance in Connecticut
- Car Insurance in Connecticut with a DUI
- Car Insurance in Connecticut with At-Fault Accidents
- Car Insurance in Connecticut with Speeding Tickets
- Car Insurance in Connecticut for Young Drivers
- Car Insurance in Connecticut with Poor Credit
- SR-22 Insurance in Connecticut
Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Connecticut
From smaller firms to larger providers, Connecticut drivers have many options for car insurance. Here are the top 10 best auto insurance companies in Connecticut based on the average quotes we received across our model driver profiles:
- GEICO: GEICO is the second-largest car insurance company in the United States, and GEICO insures thousands of drivers across Connecticut. If you want affordable car insurance from a major nationwide provider, then GEICO might be your best option, with average rates of around $1,245 per year for full coverage car insurance, according to our model driver portfolio.
- State Farm: State Farm is America’s largest car insurance company, and they have a strong presence in Connecticut. State Farm charges average rates of around $1,307 per year for full coverage car insurance in Connecticut according to the average rates across our model driver profiles.
- USAA: USAA provides car insurance to military personnel and their families. If you qualify for membership, then you could save hundreds per year on car insurance in Connecticut. USAA tends to offer lower rates than GEICO, State Farm, and other cheap competitors. USAA also has strong ratings for customer service, claims satisfaction, and more. Expect to pay as little as $1,123 per year for car insurance with USAA.
- Nationwide: Nationwide is another well-known car insurance company serving Connecticut and all other states. Nationwide charges drivers average rates of around $1,349 per year for car insurance. They also offer all of the amenities of a larger insurance provider, including a strong mobile app and good customer service.
- Allstate: Allstate charges affordable prices on car insurance to drivers in Connecticut. Our model driver profiles received average quotes of around $1,364 per year with Allstate in Connecticut, making it one of the top five cheapest insurers in the state for full coverage auto insurance.
- Amica Mutual: Amica Mutual is a car insurance company known for its strong customer service and claims satisfaction. Although the company’s rates aren’t as cheap as competitors above, Amica Mutual offers some of the best value on this list, charging competitive rates to drivers across Connecticut and other states. Expect to pay around $1,402 per year for full coverage car insurance with Amica Mutual.
- Progressive: Whether you need minimum liability insurance or full coverage insurance, you could get cheap rates through Progressive. The competitively-priced insurer charges rates of around $1,432 per year in Connecticut according to our model driver profiles.
- The Hanover: The Hanover isn’t the cheapest car insurance provider in Connecticut, but they are one of the best-rated providers. The company has four popular packages for Connecticut drivers, including Platinum Auto Elite, Platinum Auto Advantage, Platinum Auto Essential, and Prestige. Expect to pay around $1,562 for a full-coverage plan with The Hanover while enjoying perks you don’t get with other providers.
- Travelers: Travelers is the best car insurance company in Connecticut for drivers who need minimum liability coverage. If you just want to legally drive without a full coverage policy, then you could pay as little as $650 per year with Travelers in Connecticut, making them one of the cheapest options in the state. Travelers also has competitive prices on full coverage policies, with the average driver paying around $1,568 per year.
- MetLife: MetLife is popular throughout Connecticut, and the company’s rates are competitive with other providers listed here. The annual cost of a full coverage insurance policy with MetLife is around $1,574 per year, although discounts are available for safe drivers, certain professional groups, and others.
Connecticut Insurance Requirements
Connecticut, like most states, requires drivers to carry certain minimum amounts of liability coverage. You must carry insurance to protect other drivers. Insurance to protect yourself and your own vehicle (like collision and comprehensive coverage) is optional.
The State of Connecticut Insurance Department requires drivers to meet or exceed the following minimum insurance requirements:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 of property damage liability coverage
- $25,000 of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person, $50,000 per accident
Any insurance policy you buy in Connecticut will meet these minimum insurance requirements. Many drivers exceed these requirements for added protection. Many drivers also carry collision and comprehensive coverage (also known as full coverage auto insurance) to protect their vehicles.
Driving Without Insurance in Connecticut
It’s illegal to drive without minimum liability insurance in Connecticut. If you cause an accident while uninsured, or if you are pulled over while driving without insurance, then you could face severe penalties.
If caught without insurance in Connecticut, you may need to pay a fine of $100 to $1,000.
If you own the uninsured vehicle, then you could also be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, which carries an additional fine of up to $500, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
The state could also suspend your driver’s license and registration for one month (for your first conviction) or up to six months (for second and subsequent convictions). If your license and registration are suspended, then you need to pay a fee of $175 to reinstate your license and registration.
Your vehicle could also be seized, which could lead to impoundment fees.
Car Insurance in Connecticut with DUI
Getting a DUI in Connecticut makes it difficult to find affordable car insurance. However, there are still plenty of car insurance options for drivers in Connecticut with a DUI or DWI conviction. If convicted of a DUI in Connecticut, consider requesting a quote from any of the following insurers, which seem to weigh DUIs less heavily than others:
- GEICO: $1,754 per year
- State Farm: $1,802 per year
- USAA: $1,834 per year
- Nationwide: $2,053 per year
- Progressive: $2,216 per year
Car Insurance in Connecticut with At-Fault Accidents
Causing an accident will lead to higher insurance premiums for the next three to five years in Connecticut. However, some insurance companies have less severe penalties for at-fault accidents than others. The best car insurance companies in Connecticut for drivers with at-fault accidents include:
- GEICO: $1,654 per year
- State Farm: $1,692 per year
- USAA: $1,734 per year
- Nationwide: $1,959 per year
- Progressive: $1,966 per year
Car Insurance in Connecticut with Speeding Tickets
Some insurance companies raise rates 10 to 20% after a single speeding ticket. Others ignore one or more minor speeding tickets. If you have speeding tickets on your driving record, then shopping for car insurance could save you hundreds.
- GEICO: $1,354 per year
- State Farm: $1,402 per year
- USAA: $1,434 per year
- Nationwide: $1,453 per year
- Progressive: $1,516 per year
Car Insurance in Connecticut for Young Drivers
Statistically, drivers under 25 in Connecticut are the riskiest drivers to insure. They cause more accidents than drivers in any other age group. They’re responsible for more fatalities than any other age group. That’s why insurers charge high rates to younger drivers. However, some insurers welcome young drivers into their insurance pool by charging comparatively low rates:
- USAA: $1,604 per year
- GEICO: $1,854 per year
- State Farm: $1,902 per year
- Progressive: $1,916 per year
- Nationwide: $2,199 per year
Car Insurance in Connecticut with Poor Credit
Credit score impacts car insurance in Connecticut. If you have a bad credit score, then you’ll pay significantly higher rates for car insurance. In fact, most drivers with bad credit scores pay higher rates than drivers with DUIs and at-fault accidents. Some need to use high-risk auto insurers, depending on the severity of their credit score. Fortunately, not all insurers treat credit equally. Request a quote from any of the following insurers if you have bad credit:
- USAA: $2,178 per year
- Progressive: $2,327 per year
- GEICO: $2,431 per year
- State Farm: $2,509 per year
- Allstate: $2,612 per year
SR-22 Insurance in Connecticut
A DUI, a serious accident, or another incident could trigger an SR-22 requirement in Connecticut. Certain drivers are required to maintain SR-22 insurance in Connecticut.
SR-22 insurance is a certificate verifying you have valid coverage. It certifies you carry Connecticut’s minimum required amount of car insurance.
Most insurance companies in Connecticut are willing to provide you with SR-22 insurance. However, you will pay significantly more for SR-22 insurance. It’s a type of high-risk auto insurance, and you could pay over $1,000 per year more than the statewide average. Insurers also charge an SR-22 filing fee in Connecticut of $15 to $35.
However, you can save money on SR-22 insurance by shopping around. Different companies charge different rates for SR-22 insurance, and you could save considerably by comparing quotes online.
Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Connecticut
Shopping around for car insurance in Connecticut can help you save hundreds per year. Insurers offer different perks and discounts to drivers in Connecticut. Some insurers offer the cheapest minimum insurance plans. Others offer comprehensive full coverage policies.
To learn more about the best auto insurance rates in Connecticut, request a quote online today.