Connecticut car insurance rates may be among the highest nationwide, yet drivers can still save money by shopping around for quotes and comparing policies. Many factors influence how much drivers pay for auto coverage – from adding a teen driver and marital status changes to credit scores and driving records being significant factors affecting rates.
Connecticut drivers must purchase car insurance as a requirement of driving. Drivers have two choices for coverage policies: minimum or full. Full policies offer liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage to protect policyholders should they get into an accident or their vehicle is stolen, while minimum coverage only covers damages to your own vehicle and injuries caused by any collision you cause. ValuePenguin conducted research with several of Connecticut’s largest insurers to help estimate how much car insurance might cost them individually in the state.
Your car type also plays a factor, with certain cars costing more to repair or more likely being stolen than others. Furthermore, its make and model, condition rating, age of manufacture and year it was made can have an effect on premium rates; drivers should note that opting for minimum required coverage instead of full can significantly increase annual premium rates.
Your personal driving history and traffic violations play a huge part in determining your car insurance rates, with traffic violations and accidents having an even larger effect. Over time, as long as your record remains spotless and accident free, rates should decrease over time; but if an at-fault incident occurs on your record it could skyrocket for three years, making it essential to shop around and compare quotes after such an occurrence occurs.
Location can also have an effect on car insurance premiums; different parts of the state present differing levels of risk in terms of crime, traffic congestion and population density – leading to some drivers paying more for coverage than their counterparts who reside in less-populated regions.
Marital status has an enormous influence on rates, as married drivers tend to pay lower premiums than single drivers in California. However, this disparity starts to narrow once drivers reach their mid-50s.
Finally, your credit score plays a substantial role in determining your car insurance rates; some carriers may even refuse to offer policies with DUI on your record. But others will provide the opportunity for you to secure coverage; should you move up into better credit tiers you could see a considerable drop in rates.