Connecticut Car Insurance: Guidelines for Drivers

Connecticut is one of the most beautiful states in the US, and because of its grand scenery it often draws a large number of tourists. This increase in the population results in an increased amount of traffic on Connecticut streets, which for the uninsured driver can spell disaster.

All registered vehicles are required to be covered by liability insurance. The minimum levels of liability in Connecticut are twenty thousand dollars for damages suffered by the body of a single motorist in an accident for which the insured was responsible, forty thousand for the total combined costs of all of the vehicles occupants in the event that the driver was transporting passengers and ten thousand dollars to pay for any other property damage inflicted.

Because it draws visitors from all over the country and not all states require their drivers to purchase liability insurance CT drivers all carry uninsured motorist insurance. This means that in the event a driver is involved in an accident with a motorist who does not carry insurance or whose insurance does not provide sufficient coverage to pay for all damages incurred by the body or vehicle of the insured the insured’s own insurance company will pay these expenses. The minimum amount of uninsured motorist insurance carried by CT residents is twenty thousand dollars per person or forty thousand dollars per accident (all damages combined). Information on additional state requirements can be obtained from the Connecticut Insurance Department in Hartford by calling their office at 1-860-297-3800 or by visiting their website, http://www.ct.gov/cid/site/default.asp

There are several other different types of insurance available, as well as many perks that are added to an individual policy. Comprehensive/collision insurance will pay for damages to the vehicle of the insured in the event they are involved in an accident for which they are responsible and may be required by any lender holding a lien on a vehicle. Additionally, it is recommended (but not required) that all drivers possess an uninsured/underinsured motorist policy, which would pay for damages resulting from a hit and run or an accident involving a motorist who either does not have insurance or whose insurance is insufficient to cover all the resulting expenses.

Perks that accompany an car insurance policy may include (but are not limited too) rental insurance, which will cover the cost of a rental vehicle up to a certain point if the insured’s vehicle is not drivable following an accident, towing insurance, which will help pay the often exorbitant cost of having a vehicle towed and gap coverage. Gap coverage is for those whose vehicle’s blue book value is less than the amount remaining on their auto loan due to depreciation . If the vehicle is totaled in an accident, rather than paying out the value of the car the insurance company will pay the amount remaining on the auto loan.