Yes, auto insurance can get expensive, and sometimes it doesn’t seem that you’re getting much for your money. However, driving in West Hartford, Connecticut without sufficient insurance coverage can have long-lasting consequences. You could lose your driving privileges and even have to pay a stiff fine. Knowing the facts about minimum auto coverage requirements in Connecticut is essential to staying on the right side of the law. As an independent agent, we can help you evaluate all of your auto insurance options to find the one that best suits your driving habits and your budget.

Connecticut Insurance Requirements

As of January 2013, all drivers in the state of Connecticut are required to carry at least $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage as well as $10,000 per accident in property damage liability. This coverage comes into effect if someone else is injured in a car accident in which you were at fault or if property is damaged in an accident where you were at fault. These coverages do not apply to damage to your own car from an accident or act of nature, such as a tree falling on your car. Such coverages, called collision and comprehensive respectively, require additional premiums.

Factors in the Cost of Auto Insurance

Several factors go into determining the price of your auto insurance. First and foremost is your driving record. Have you had any offenses (even speeding tickets) within the last three to five years? Also factored into the price is the year, make and model of car you drive; where you live; and your driving habits (e.g. how many miles a year you drive.)

Satisfying the basic state auto insurance requirements is generally not expensive. Don’t leave yourself at risk; contact us today to speak with an experience independent agent.

If you have a vehicle that is registered in West Hartford, Connecticut, you will need to provide proof of insurance on the vehicle. However, if the car is being unused or stored you may not be required to carry full coverage insurance during the time the car is in storage. There are several things to consider, however, before you cancel the coverage on your car.

If you have a loan on the car, the lender will typically require you to carry a specific amount of coverage on the car, whether it is being driven or not. However, if you do not have a loan of the vehicle and it is inoperable due to being repaired, it is a second car that is only driven a few times each year or the car is being stored, West Hartford, Connecticut requires you that you remove the plates and take them to the registration section of the department of motor vehicles. The plates can be removed and turned in and placed on hold for specific periods of time, such as if the car is unused due to extensive repairs or if the car is being stored for the season, is an antique or being restored.

It is important to keep in mind that even though your car is being stored or unused, there are accidents that can happen. It is highly recommended that you speak with your independent agent to see if there are discounts you may qualify for or if there is a specific policy you can buy that is less expensive than full coverage, but will cover any damages that may happen to your car while it is in storage. For example, if you do not have a loan on the car and do not have to have full coverage insurance, our agents can talk with you about comprehensive coverage, which will protect you from massive repair expenses should damage occur to the car while being stored or during the time you have it out of storage to do repairs or restorations.

When driving in the winter in Connecticut, roads can be very hazardous due to the natural slickness from ice and snow. As you independent insurance agent, we want to provide tips for our policy holders for driving in these conditions to help minimize a drivers chance at being in an accident. Below are a few tips for preparing to drive with safety during the often harsh New England winters, be it in West Hartford or anywhere else in Connecticut.

KNOW THE ROUTE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Accidents often occur when people don’t know exactly where they are going, causing them to stop suddenly or take sudden turns. So make sure you plan your route out exactly when driving in these adverse winter weather conditions. Take along a GPS if you have to. Also, pay attention to the weather forecast itself, so you are aware of if the outside conditions are going to get worse.

SLOW DOWN

Driving more slowly in wet or icy conditions in Connecticut is a good rule of thumb, as it will allow you to stop more easily and react more quickly to anything that might cause an accident. However, it’s important to not go too slow as this can be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. Your car also needs a certain amount of momentum at all times to go up icy hills, otherwise gravity will take hold and you will really lose control of the car.

LEARN HOW TO STEER OUT OF SKIDS

If you hit the brakes a little too hard and skid on the icy road conditions, learn how to steer out of the skid so you don’t lose total control of the car. First, relax and steer the car in the direction you want it to go. Second, do not touch the brakes while you do this, as that will cause your wheels to lock up and really make you lose control.

As you consider your financial position and prepare your budget for life in Connecticut, you will want to decide whether a new vehicle will be a good investment.

One consideration is the fact that when you purchase a new vehicle, it loses value the minute you roll off of the dealer’s lot. However, a new vehicle provides a number of benefits. For example, you’ll have the full manufacturer’s warranty in case anything goes wrong, and you may be eligible to participate in the dealer or manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance program, depending on the model.

Contrast this with a used vehicle, about which you cannot be sure how well the previous owner treated it. Even if the former owner provides you with service records, you won’t be able to know all of the wear and tear or damage the car has suffered. There is a risk that you may have to spend more on repairs than if you purchased a new vehicle.

Another factor to consider is the image you want to project to the world. A new vehicle helps establish you as being financially well off, as well as being a discriminating consumer. If your work requires you to meet clients and take them for rides, a new car will be more impressive than an older model. The new car is a better investment because it can help you succeed at work or socially.

Because the auto industry tends to incrementally improve its products, it’s likely that a new model will have more amenities, better safety equipment, improved fuel efficiency and other features that an earlier model may lack.

If you are not focused on having the latest model, you may find it more beneficial to purchase a well-made used car. The previous owner will have already have had to deal with any manufacturer’s defects or repairs resulting from a recall, for example.

When you are ready to purchase your vehicle, remember to contact your independent agent in West Hartford to set up insurance.

If you’re going to lease a vehicle and you live in West Hartford, Connecticut, you’ll need to provide your own insurance. Leasing only gives you temporary "ownership" of the car during the term of the lease, and doesn’t include any type of insurance whatsoever.

What type of insurance coverage do you need?

Although most states simply require you to carry liability coverage, you’ll have other insurance requirements when you lease. You’ll have to have insurance that will cover any damage that happens to that vehicle while you’re in possession of it.

Liability insurance

Liability insurance is the "minimum" amount of coverage, usually set by state law, required of anyone who owns or leases a vehicle. It provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for the other party in a motor vehicle accident if you’re deemed at fault.

Collision insurance

Collision insurance is insurance that covers you in the event you’re in an accident and you are at fault. (If you’re in an accident and the other driver is at fault, that driver’s liability insurance will cover you.) Collision insurance is specifically meant to cover vehicular damage caused by an accident. It also covers vehicle replacement, if necessary.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle for damage that happens due to other events besides car accidents. For example, if your car is vandalized or hit by a tree branch, comprehensive insurance covers the damage and will repair or replace the vehicle as necessary.

Gap insurance

Gap insurance isn’t always required, but you may need it. If your car is totalled and you have comprehensive/collision insurance, you’ll get a check for the car from the insurance company based upon replacement value. However, the check you get may be less than the amount you still owe on your lease. Gap insurance will kick in and make up the difference.

You do not have to use a particular insurance company

You must carry the auto insurance coverage required by the leasing company, but you can choose your own insurance company. Shop around for the best quote and/or check with your current independent agent to get the best price for your coverage.

You’re probably wondering if you need full coverage insurance in Connecticut. Unfortunately, there’s no straight answer as maintaining a comprehensive insurance plan depends on a variety of factors.

Liability vs. Full Coverage

Liability coverage is always a given. Nearly all states require some form of automobile liability coverage, as it protects you and your assets if the accident in question is your fault. Liability coverage is often the cheapest form of insurance any driver can carry.

Collision and comprehensive coverage covers physical damage done to the vehicle in the event of an accident. In most cases you have to pay a deductible, which is usually anywhere from $250 to $1000. If the vehicle is leased or purchased with a loan, most financial institutions require owners to maintain full coverage for the life of the lease or loan.

Determining your Insurance Needs

The age and value of the vehicle should always be kept in consideration. For example, if you have a 10-year-old car with a value of $3,000, the costs of repairing that vehicle could easily exceed its overall value, effectively totaling it in the eyes of the insurance provider. Unless you have a vehicle that’s less than 5 years old or one with significant value, it’s usually not worth the trouble to maintain full coverage on an older vehicle.

A simple formula to use when determining whether to pay for collision and comprehensive insurance is to multiply your monthly premium for both by 12 months, or 4 months if you’re paying on a quarterly basis. The yearly cost of collision and comprehensive insurance should not exceed 10 percent of your car’s current value. If it does, you’re better off paying for only liability.

Maintaining full coverage on your vehicle is a matter of how much your vehicle is worth to you and how much you’re willing to spend each year. An independent agent in West Hartford can help you choose the right coverage plan for your needs.