Saturday 8 February 2020

Connecticut Car Insurance

One of the most beautiful and historic places you can visit in the US is Connecticut but before you can soak in its scenic drives you need to understand Connecticut car insurance. What are the important things that you need to know? Well you should know that Connecticut requires its motorists to carry car insurance as it is mandatory in the United States. If you would like to get cheap auto insurance quote in CT, please enter your Zip Code and enter “Get Quotes” button above. You will be redirected to a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in your area. Compare the quotes from those companies and you will get a hold of pretty much the cheapest auto insurance you can find for yourself.

Connecticut Car Insurance Requirements

Just like in many states, liability coverage is required in the state of Connecticut. Motorists are mandated to carry minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $20,000 per person injured in the accident up to a total of $40,000 per accident. Motorists are also mandated to carry property damage liability coverage. The minimum property damage liability coverage required in the state of Connecticut is $10,000. Aside from these two, Connecticut also requires its drivers to have bodily injury liability coverage for the underinsured or uninsured motorist. The minimum amount required for this is $20,000 up to a total of $40,000. This type of insurance coverage is referred to as the 20/40/10 coverage with 20/40 UM limits.

Liability insurance is required by the state of Connecticut as it follows the Tort system. This means that someone has to be found at fault for causing the accident and this person together with his or her insurance provider will be the one to pay for all the damages incurred from the accident.

How does the average car insurance premium rate in Connecticut compare to the average car insurance premium in the US? The current average car insurance premium in Connecticut is $1,841.48 which is higher than the current average car insurance premium in the US which is $1, 436.40.

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in CT

Do you wish to save money from your car insurance? Aside from canvassing before choosing an insurance company to do business with, you can lower your car insurance premium rates by driving a car that is not popular among thieves. What does this mean? Avoid buying commonly stolen cars. In Connecticut, the following vehicles that are hottest on the eyes of a thief are:

Honda Accord 1994 model
Honda Civic 1994 model
Acura Integra 1994 model
Nissan Maxima 1997 model
Dodge Caravan 2011 model
Toyota Camry 1991 model
Nissan Sentra 1996 model
Nissan Altima 1997model
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee 1994 model
Toyota Corolla 2009 model
As you can see the list is dominated by older Japanese compact and mid-size sedans.

What Coverage to get in Connecticut

Aside from saving money from car insurance, another concern that usually plagues motorists is whether or not they should get more than the minimum insurance coverage requirement of their state. Considering that Connecticut follows the tort system, the potential for liability is a lot higher compared to states that have no-fault car insurance laws in place so it is advisable that you get more than the minimum coverage requirement. With medical expenses that can shoot up uncontrollably fast it can easily exceed the minimum coverage levels even if it was just a minor accident and if your policy is unable to handle all the expenses you can be sued by the other party to force you to pay for the remaining expense.

It is also best that you go beyond just the required coverage in order to be sure that your auto insurance policy will be able to give you maximum protection. Two other well recommended coverage you should consider being part of your policy are collision and comprehensive coverage. Why these two? These two coverage are highly advised to be part of your auto insurance policy since they will give you protection. Liability coverage only gives protection to the other party.The beauty of having collision and comprehensive insurance is that you will be protected in case you get in a collision accident or if you incur damages from other things aside from a collision. Collision coverage obviously would shoulder the expenses of repairing your car and taking care of your medical expenses as well if you get in a collision accident while comprehensive coverage will shoulder the expenses of car repairs if your vehicle is damaged by natural disasters such as strong windstorms and flood.


Laws on Driving Under the Influence in Connecticut

There are strict drunk driving laws that are being implemented in the state of Connecticut. These laws cover not just driving under the influence of alcohol but drugs as well.

Like in many other states in the United States, drivers who are under the age of 21 can be convicted of driving under the influence with a lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit than those drivers who are over the age of 21. Minors who are behind the wheel with a BAC level of .02 percent or above will be convicted of driving under the influence while drivers who are over the age of 21 will be convicted of driving under the influence if authorities find that their BAC level is .08 percent and above.

The state of Connecticut has penalties for different types of DUI offenders. If you’re a first time DUI offender, the following penalties are what you will be facing:

Serving jail time of a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 6 months however there is a way to avoid going to jail. By choosing to do community service, rendering 100 hours of it, you can skip jail.
You also are required to pay a fine amounting anywhere from $500 to $1,000.
Another thing first time DUI offenders would be facing if caught driving under the influence is getting their driver’s license suspended for a year and getting their vehicles towed and impounded for 48 hours.
You would also be required by law to undergo a complete substance abuse treatment program
What happens if you’re caught driving under the influence for the second time? What are the penalties that will be imposed by the state of Connecticut?

You would be facing jail time. You’d be required to stay in jail for a minimum of 120 days and a maximum of 2 years.
The state would also require you to pay a fine anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 and you will get your driver’s license suspended for a year as well.
A minimum of 100 hours of community service will also be imposed by the state. You need to complete the hours required by the law in order to complete your punishment for DUI.
Since it is also your second offense, you will be required to enrol and complete a substance abuse treatment program.
Lastly if the court would allow it, you would be subjected to using an ignition interlock device for 2 years after getting your driver’s license suspended for 2 years.  Ignition interlock device will prohibit you from starting your car if your BAC level registers to be above the legal limit.
Your vehicle will also be towed and impounded for 48 hours after you’re arrested of DUI.
For repeat (3 times or more) DUI offenders, the state of Connecticut imposes the following penalties:

You would face jail time. Third time DUI offenders will face a minimum of 1 year up to 3 years.
 Repeat DUI offenders will also be required to pay a fine, amounting anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000.
Your driver’s license may also be permanently suspended if you’re caught for a third time although you can request a hearing to get it reinstated after 6 years.
Lastly, you also need to render a minimum of 100 hours of community service.

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