The Best Connecticut Auto Insurance Companies
Connecticut’s congested roads and high number of luxury vehicles raise the state’s typical auto insurance premium $160 above the national average, and the recent increase in state-minimum coverage could cause prices to climb even higher. However, those congested roads are exactly why it’s important to find good auto insurance, and it’s still possible to find a great deal by shopping around. We recommend starting your search by reading our reviews of the best Connecticut auto insurance companies below.
How We Found the Best Connecticut Auto Insurance Companies
We employed a methodology similar to that in our review of the best auto insurance. To start, we found the largest insurers in the state by market share. After verifying their financial strength with independent ratings agencies like A.M. Best and Moody’s, we compared their coverage limits, endorsements, and discounts to get a sense of which companies offer the most policy customization. We also took customer opinion into account by comparing scores from the latest J.D. Power and Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys. Then, we put each company’s customer service to the test by calling up local agents and getting quotes.
The 4 Best Auto Insurance Companies in Connecticut
Connecticut Auto Insurance Companies Reviews
Travelers
Travelers is another strong provider, and it’s especially worth a closer look if you have a lease or loan on your vehicle. It’s one of our top picks to offer GAP coverage, which pays the balance of your lease or loan if your vehicle is totaled in an accident. That way, you’re not stuck with your old car payment even after you no longer have the car. It also earned top marks in Consumer Reports’ survey, with a 90/100, though it fell a little behind in J.D. Power’s rankings.Our Travelers quote fell in the middle of the pack price-wise, but you may be able to secure a lower rate by taking advantage of the company’s 12 discounts — the second-most offered by any of our top picks. You can save for being a homeowner, being continuously insured, or enrolling in Travelers’ IntelliDrive program. There are also special discounts for students and affinity groups. Overall, Travelers is one of the highest-ranking insurance companies out there, both in terms of a straightforward claims process and variety of ways you can save.
Allstate
Allstate is your best bet if you’re interested in high liability coverage limits. You can purchase up to $500,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and per accident and up to $1 million in property damage liability coverage. In addition, Allstate has 10 optional endorsements you can add to customize your policy. It offers all the standard options like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance, as well as more unique options, like custom parts coverage. Ridesharing coverage is also available for Uber and Lyft drivers.Though pricing will vary based on your individual situation, it’s worth noting that Allstate gave us one of the most expensive quotes. That said, Allstate makes it easy to save, with an array of billing, safe driver, and early signing discounts. It’s also possible to save by owning a new car, bundling home and auto, and having safety devices on your vehicle. If you’d like to lower your price even more, Allstate offers Safe Driving Bonus Check and Deductible Rewards programs, which reward you for every 6-12 months you remain accident-free.
Progressive
Progressive is known for being affordable, especially if you opt for a deductible on the higher end — deductible options range from $100 to $2,000. What’s more, Progressive now offers Snapshot, a usage-based insurance program that tracks your driving habits over your first policy period and slashes premiums based on safe driving.Progressive offers several unusual endorsements, including GAP, pet medical, and custom parts coverage. If you have a lease or loan on your vehicle, drive a custom car, or frequently travel with your pet, it’s definitely worth getting a quote from Progressive. In addition to these options is a common mainstay we’ve seen with our other top picks: Accident Forgiveness.
Liberty Mutual
Alongside new car replacement, Liberty Mutual also offers better car replacement, which pays to replace a totaled vehicle with a model one year newer with 15,000 fewer miles. Another notable option is its lifetime repair guarantee: Any repairs performed at one of the company’s licensed repair shops will be guaranteed for the lifetime of your vehicle.
Unfortunately, Liberty Mutual gave us our most expensive quote at $194 per month. It has a modest deductible range of $50 to $1,000, but there are no higher deductible options for those hoping to lower their premiums. One concession to this is the Deductible Fund endorsement, which lowers your collision deductible by $100 every year you go without an accident (up to $500). Liberty Mutual does also offer several discounts to bring premium costs down, including multi-policy, multi-car, safe driver, alternative energy, good student and new address discounts.
Guide to Connecticut Auto Insurance Companies
Connecticut minimum liability
Every driver in the nation must carry some liability insurance in case they get into an accident, but the minimum requirements vary by state. In Connecticut, you must have at least:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident
You may see this abbreviated as 25/50/25 coverage. Connecticut is one of the few states that also requires drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in the same quantities listed above. These coverages kick in when you are hit by another driver who doesn’t have insurance or who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the full cost of the damages.
Purchase as much insurance as you can afford
Whenever possible, it’s best to purchase more than the state minimum coverage. Car accidents are expensive, especially if someone is injured. If you end up with $50,000 in medical bills and you only have the state minimum coverage, your insurance company will only pay for half — the rest must come out of your own pocket. A good rule of thumb is to purchase as much insurance as you can afford.
Use our top picks as a starting point
Rather than opting for less coverage, it’s possible to save on your premiums by shopping around with a variety of companies. Each company has its own formula for calculating premiums, which is why each gives you a different quote. Beyond cheap rates, it’s also important to find a company that offers ideal add-ons, discounts, and specific coverage options for your situation. Our top picks are a great place to start your search.
Connecticut Auto Insurance Companies FAQ
Why is Connecticut auto insurance so expensive?
Congested roads are one of the key reasons Connecticut’s auto insurance rates are so high. Connecticut has one of the highest traffic densities in the nation. This is a red flag to insurers because densely packed traffic increases the risk of accidents.
Why do I need uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in addition to my liability protection?
Connecticut raised its minimum liability coverage in 2018 from 20/40/10 to 25/50/25. This increase is intended to bring coverage in line with the rising costs of medical care and auto repairs, so that drivers face fewer out-of-pocket costs after an accident. But others fear this could lead to more drivers going without insurance. Currently, about 9% of Connecticut drivers do not have insurance. If this number were to rise, it’s likely that insurance premiums would rise accordingly due to the increased risk to insurance companies. Furthermore, you could be stuck paying a hefty price if you were to get into an accident with one of these drivers without uninsured motorist coverage.
Do luxury cars drive up Connecticut auto insurance rates?
Connecticut residents have the second-highest disposable income of any state in the nation and, as a result, the abundance of luxury cars tends to drive up the rates. It’s also why Connecticut has some of the highest auto repair costs in the nation. This puts greater strain on insurance companies, and they pass that expense onto consumers in the form of higher premiums.
The Best Connecticut Auto Insurance Companies: Summed Up
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