Paul Sanchez
Connecticut requires all drivers to carry liability insurance coverage. If a driver causes an accident, their liability insurance will cover the lost wages and injuries of the other driver and their passengers, as well as damage to the other driver's vehicle. This differs from no-fault states, where drivers typically pursue compensation through their own insurance company and cannot sue the party who caused the accident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Connecticut a no-fault state for auto insurance? | No |
| What type of insurance is required in Connecticut? | Liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage |
| What are the minimum liability coverage requirements in Connecticut? | $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident |
| What is the purpose of liability insurance? | To cover the lost wages or injuries of another driver or their passengers, as well as damage to their vehicle |
| Who does liability insurance not cover? | Your own injuries or damaged property |
| What is uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage? | Coverage for injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver |
| Is medical payments coverage automatically included in auto insurance policies in Connecticut? | No, it needs to be elected |
| What is the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit after a car accident in Connecticut? | Two years |
What You'll Learn
Connecticut is a fault state for auto insurance
Connecticut is a "fault" car accident state, meaning that the person who was at fault for causing the car accident is responsible for compensating anyone who suffered harm as a result of the crash. This is typically handled by the at-fault driver's insurance carrier, which will cover losses up to the policy limits.
In Connecticut, drivers are required to carry a certain amount of liability insurance. The liability insurance you carry must cover at least $20,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $40,000 for death or bodily injury of more than one person, and $10,000 for damage to property. These minimum requirements may not be enough to cover all expenses, so it is recommended to increase your limits to protect yourself and your assets.
Connecticut's fault-based system allows those injured in a car accident to pursue an injury claim or lawsuit against the liable parties, including the at-fault driver and their insurance company. This is different from no-fault states, where individuals may only pursue compensation through their own insurance company and typically cannot sue the party who caused the accident.
In Connecticut, it is mandatory to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This covers you if you are injured by a driver who does not have insurance or does not have sufficient insurance coverage. It is also mandatory to carry proof of insurance, which must be shown upon request by law enforcement officials.
If you are involved in a car accident in Connecticut, it is important to file a claim as soon as possible to ensure you do not fall outside the statute of limitations for filing while gathering information to support your case.
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The at-fault driver's insurance company covers damages
Connecticut is a "fault" car accident state. This means that the driver at fault for causing the car accident is responsible for compensating anyone who suffered harm as a result of the crash. In this case, it is usually the at-fault driver's insurance company that will cover these losses, up to the policy limits.
The at-fault driver's liability insurance will be used to pay for the other drivers' medical and vehicle repair expenses. However, the liability insurance will not cover the at-fault driver's own injuries or property damage. Instead, they will need to file a claim with their own collision, personal injury protection (PIP), or MedPay insurance coverage.
In Connecticut, PIP coverage is an optional add-on to your auto liability and uninsured motorist policy. It is not mandatory. If you have sustained catastrophic injuries and require ongoing care, an underinsured driver's policy may not be sufficient. In such cases, you can opt for underinsured or uninsured coverage from your insurance company for an extra fee. This type of coverage caters to accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists.
If the at-fault driver has inadequate insurance to cover all the damages, you may wonder about your available options. If you have sustained catastrophic injuries and require ongoing care, an underinsured driver's policy may not be sufficient. In such cases, you can opt for underinsured or uninsured coverage from your insurance company for an extra fee. This type of coverage caters to accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists.
If you are in a negligence state, you can either collect from your own insurer if you have an underinsured policy or sue the at-fault driver. Connecticut is one of 20 states that require uninsured motorist coverage by law. Uninsured motorist insurance is an additional coverage that reimburses you for injuries sustained in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. It also typically includes underinsured motorist insurance, which covers you if the at-fault driver's insurance is insufficient.
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Connecticut drivers must carry liability insurance
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Connecticut requires drivers to maintain a minimum of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and liability, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and liability, and $25,000 per accident for property damage liability. This basic coverage pays the medical bills, property damage bills, and other costs of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians injured or whose vehicles are damaged in a car accident.
Liability insurance never covers your own injuries or property damage. It only pays for harm caused by accidents in which you are at fault. So, it's important to consider additional coverage for your own protection. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage, for example, can be used to pay your own medical bills following a car accident.
Connecticut also requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This covers you, your relatives living with you, and your passengers if they are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist or a hit-and-run driver. The required coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident.
If you drive without insurance in Connecticut, you could face a fine of at least $100 and have your driver's license and registration suspended for one month. For a second or subsequent conviction, the suspension period increases to six months.
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Connecticut drivers must also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Connecticut is not a no-fault state. It operates as a fault-based insurance state, meaning that the driver at fault for causing the accident is responsible for compensating anyone who suffered harm as a result. This compensation is usually paid out by the at-fault driver's insurance carrier.
Connecticut also offers an optional extra, known as underinsured motorist conversion coverage. This provides extra protection when the at-fault driver's liability insurance won't cover all your accident-related losses. With this coverage, you can receive up to the full amount of your underinsured motorist coverage, regardless of money paid by other sources.
Connecticut drivers must also carry liability insurance coverage. This covers the lost wages and injuries sustained by another driver or their passengers if you cause an accident. This is known as bodily injury (BI) coverage. Liability insurance also covers damage to the other driver's vehicle, known as property damage (PD).
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Connecticut's auto insurance requirements are similar to other states
Connecticut is a "'fault' car accident state", which means that the person at fault for an accident is responsible for compensating anyone who suffered harm as a result. This is the case in most states. Connecticut requires that every registered motor vehicle be covered by a car insurance policy that meets certain minimum requirements. This is also the case in most states.
Connecticut's auto insurance requirements include liability insurance, which covers injuries to other people and damage to their property if the policyholder causes an accident. The minimum bodily harm liability coverage required is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The minimum property damage liability coverage required is $25,000 per accident. These are standard requirements in many states.
Connecticut also requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This covers the driver, their relatives who live with them, and their passengers if they are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, a motorist whose bodily injury liability limits are less than the driver's uninsured/underinsured motorist limits, or a hit-and-run driver. The minimum coverage required is $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident. This is another common requirement in other states.
In addition to these mandatory coverages, Connecticut offers optional coverages that drivers can add to their policies, such as collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. These optional coverages are also available in many other states.
Overall, Connecticut's auto insurance requirements are similar to those of other states, with a focus on ensuring that drivers have the necessary coverage to protect themselves and others in the event of an accident.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Connecticut is an at-fault state for auto insurance.
This means that the driver at fault for a collision has to compensate other drivers, passengers, cyclists, and anyone else involved in the accident.
The liability insurance carried by a driver in Connecticut must cover at least $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury when two or more people are injured, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Driving a vehicle without insurance coverage in Connecticut can result in a fine of between $100 and $1,000 and a license suspension of one month for a first conviction, with the suspension period increasing to six months for subsequent convictions.
In a no-fault state, you typically pursue compensation through your insurance company, and you usually cannot sue the party who caused the accident. In an at-fault state, you can pursue an injury claim or lawsuit against the liable party and their insurance company.
