Yes. Like most states, Connecticut has what’s known as an at-fault car insurance system. This simply means that the at-fault party is responsible for paying injury victims for their accident-related expenses.
As a rule, this means the at-fault driver’s insurance company must pay for the accident. But it’s not so simple. In many cases, insurance companies don’t cooperate. That’s because there’s often a lot of money at stake and many insurance companies will do everything they can to protect their bottom line.
What type of car insurance is mandatory in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, all drivers are required to have a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. The mandatory minimum required liability coverage for Connecticut drivers includes:
- $25,000 for property damage in an accident, including vehicle repairs.
- $25,000 for injury or death per person in an accident.
- $50,000 for injury or death for more than one person in an accident.
In addition, Connecticut drivers are required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This insurance stands in for the other driver’s insurance if you are hit by an uninsured driver, or a driver who doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for the full cost.
What optional car insurance is available in Connecticut?
Many drivers in Connecticut choose to purchase additional insurance coverage for added protection. Additionally, it's also a good idea to regularly review and update your insurance coverage to make sure it meets your changing needs and circumstances. Common types of additional car insurance available in Connecticut include:
- Underinsured motorist conversion coverage – This unique type of insurance allows you to “stack” your UIM coverage with the other driver’s insurance if you are hit by an underinsured driver. Without conversion coverage, your UIM coverage only covers the gap between the other driver’s insurance and your own UIM policy limit. So for instance, without conversion coverage, if you are hit by a driver who has the minimum $25,000 liability coverage and you have $50,000 in UIM coverage, you can only collect $50,000 total - $25,000 from the at-fault driver and $25,000 to make up the gap from your own UIM policy. With conversion coverage, you can collect $75,000 - $25,000 from the other driver and the full $50,000 from your own insurance policy.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay) – This type of optional car insurance covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if you are involved in a car accident, regardless of fault.
- Collision coverage – This type of insurance covers damage to your vehicle if you are involved in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This can include damage from a collision with another vehicle, or damage to your car due to hitting a stationary object, such as a tree or a guardrail.
- Comprehensive coverage – This type of insurance pays for vehicle repairs due to damage to your vehicle caused by events other than a motor vehicle accident, such as theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters and collisions involving animals.
- Roadside assistance coverage – This type of insurance provides compensation if your vehicle breaks down while you are on the road. It can pay for services such as towing, tire changes, jump-starts, and fuel delivery.
- Rental reimbursement coverage – This type of insurance covers the cost of a rental car if your vehicle is damaged in an accident and is being repaired.