Connecticut Car Insurance Requirements: Minimums, Fault Rules & Penalties

Minimum liability requirements

Connecticut requires all registered vehicles to carry at least the following coverage:

Coverage	Minimum limit
Bodily injury per person	$25,000
Bodily injury per accident	$50,000
Property damage per accident	$25,000
Uninsured motorist per person	$25,000
Uninsured motorist per accident	$50,000
Underinsured motorist per person	$25,000
Underinsured motorist per accident	$50,000

Unlike most states, Connecticut mandates both uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at minimums that mirror the liability limits. UM coverage pays when the other driver carries no insurance at all. UIM coverage fills the gap when the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover your full losses. Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle and presented to law enforcement on request.

Carrying only the state minimums leaves limited room if a serious collision results in significant medical bills or vehicle damage. Drivers with assets to protect should evaluate higher limits or an umbrella policy.

Fault system

Connecticut is an at-fault (tort) state. After a collision, the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the injuries and property damage sustained by the other party. Injured parties typically file claims against the at-fault driver's bodily injury liability coverage.

Connecticut uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. Fault is allocated proportionally among all parties involved. If your share of fault is 50% or less, you may recover damages from the other driver — but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you are barred from recovery entirely.

The mandatory UM/UIM coverage works alongside this system: if the at-fault driver is uninsured, your UM coverage responds; if they are underinsured, your UIM coverage picks up the remainder. This layered protection is especially valuable in Connecticut, where uninsured motorist rates remain a concern in certain corridors.

SR-22 requirements

An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer directly with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. It confirms that your policy meets state minimums and remains active. Connecticut requires an SR-22 after:

• A DUI or DWI conviction
• A license suspension caused by accumulating moving violations
• An at-fault accident while operating a vehicle without insurance
• Certain other serious traffic offenses as ordered by a court or the DMV

The required filing period in Connecticut is 3 years from the reinstatement date. A lapse or cancellation during that window triggers an automatic notification to the DMV, which can result in immediate re-suspension of your license. For drivers who do not own a vehicle, a non-owner SR-22 provides the required filing without being tied to a specific car.

Premiums typically increase while an SR-22 is on file. Comparing quotes from carriers that specialize in high-risk drivers can reduce costs considerably.

Penalties for driving without insurance

Offense	Fine	License action	Registration action
First offense	$100–$1,000	Suspended 1 month	Suspended
Second offense	Up to $1,000	Suspended 6 months	Suspended
Reinstatement	Reinstatement fee required	Proof of insurance required	Proof of insurance required

Even a first offense triggers both a license and registration suspension, making it impossible to legally drive or register a vehicle until the suspension is cleared. To reinstate, you must provide proof of active insurance and pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV.

If you cause an accident while uninsured, you remain personally liable for all damages and injuries — no policy exists to cover those costs. Victims can pursue civil judgments against you for amounts that can far exceed what a full year of coverage would have cost.

For help finding coverage that meets Connecticut's requirements, visit the AIS auto insurance quote page.