Finding the cheapest car insurance in Connecticut can be challenging. Insurance costs vary depending on your age, driving history and many other factors. There can also be a large disparity in quotes from one company to the next.
By shopping around, drivers can usually find a better deal. NerdWallet ran rates from the top car insurance companies in Connecticut to help drivers score the best prices possible.
Below you’ll find the cheapest quotes for:
- Good drivers
- Young drivers
- Families with a teen driver
- Drivers with poor credit
- Drivers with one at-fault accident
- Retired drivers
Cheapest for good drivers
For drivers with no at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations; range of prices from eight largest insurers in Connecticut: $1,664 to $3,515
Price
- $1,664/year
price
- $1,792/year
price
- $1,998/year
The average annual rate for drivers with clean records among the cheapest three companies was $1,818. However, prices spiked over $3,500 on the high end, so there’s plenty of incentive to shop around and find the best deal. Also be sure to check out discount possibilities for safe driving when considering different insurers.
Cheapest for young drivers
For drivers in their early 20s; range of prices from eight largest insurers in Connecticut: $1,108 to $2,759
price
- $1,108/year
price
- $1,154/year
price
- $1,308/year
Even if you have little experience behind the wheel, you can still find affordable car insurance. This category actually had the smallest gap between the lowest and highest average quotes, meaning it’s hard for young drivers to go (too) wrong, as long as their records are clean. But with potential savings of about $1,600 per year, it still pays to shop around.
Cheapest for families with a teen driver
For middle-aged couples adding a teen driver; range of prices from the eight largest insurers in Connecticut: $3,462 to $12,531.
price
- $3,462/year
price
- $4,019/year
price
- $5,019/year
Teens aren’t the safest group of motorists on the road, and it shows. This category had by far the largest gap between lowest and highest average quotes: roughly $9,000. In other words, not shopping around can really carry a sting. When adding a teen driver to your policy, look for discounts he or she can bring to the table, such as those for good grades or taking a defensive driving course.
Cheapest for drivers with poor credit
For drivers placed in the lowest credit tier as determined by the industry; range of prices from the eight largest insurers in Connecticut: $1,979 to $4,200.
price
- $1,979/year
price
- $2,149/year
price
- $2,310/year
Frustrating as it may be, having poor credit can prevent you from getting the cheapest car insurance in Connecticut. State law allows insurers to use either specific credit information or a financial history measurements program when determining rates, but not both. Insurance companies say that credit-based insurance scores can help them predict how likely customers are to file future claims.
Cheapest for drivers with one at-fault accident
Range of prices from the eight largest insurers in Connecticut: $1,738 to $6,718.
price
- $1,738/year
price
- $1,876/year
price
- $2,488/year
Insurers tend to penalize people who have an at-fault accident on their record, but all hope isn’t lost. State Farm had the lowest annual rates for such drivers at $1,738. That’s only about $75 more than the lowest average quote for drivers with a clean record — not too shabby.
Cheapest for retired drivers
For drivers in their mid- to late 60s who no longer use their car for commuting. Range of prices from the eight largest insurers in Connecticut: $1,259 to $3,060.
price
- $1,259/year
price
- $1,615/year
price
- $2,150/year
Retirees, given their driving experience and low annual mileage, can nab some of the cheapest car insurance in Connecticut. With nearly a $2,000 gap between the lowest and highest average quotes, however, shopping around and comparing estimates is still crucial. Also look for insurance perks aimed at retirees, such as low mileage or mature driver discounts.
Minimum requirements for Connecticut car insurance
When shopping for coverage in the Nutmeg State, bear in mind the minimum car insurance requirements so you can keep your estimates as accurate as possible.
Connecticut motorists must at least carry:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $40,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability coverage per accident
- $20,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person
- $40,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state minimum car insurance requirements for help understanding the various parts of your Connecticut auto policy.
Alternative car insurance in Connecticut
If you’re unable to secure car insurance because of a spotty record or other factors, or can only get sky-high rates, you might be able to qualify for the Connecticut Automobile Insurance Assigned Risk Plan. This network of insurers was established by the state to help high-risk drivers who have tried and failed to get mainstream coverage within the last 60 days.
Another way to keep costs down is to improve the way you shop for insurance. Try out NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to possibly save hundreds on your Connecticut premium.
Methodology
For most categories, NerdWallet averaged rates from the largest insurers for 30-year-old men and women in 10 ZIP codes and with 100/300/50 liability insurance limits and 100/300 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage limits. We used a 2012 Toyota Camry in all cases.
To test rates for families with teen drivers, we used a 46-year-old female and 47-year-old male with a 16-year-old son. Our sample retired driver was 67 and drove 50% fewer annual miles than other groups. Our sample young driver was 22 and carried the minimum levels of liability coverage required, 20/40/10, and minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage required, 20/40. Your own rates will be different.
Alex Glenn is a staff writer for NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: aglenn@nerdwallet.com.
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