Connecticut, like most states, requires drivers to have minimum insurance coverage. Despite this requirement, some motorists still drive without the necessary coverage, which puts everyone at risk if they are at fault for an accident.
In 2022, about 10 percent of drivers in Connecticut were uninsured, which was slightly lower than the national average that year of 14%. Even though the state’s insured rate is better than the country as a whole, 10% is still a relatively high number when you consider what’s at stake.
Being involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver could mean that your medical bills, property damage, and lost wages will not be fully covered. If you were recently injured in an uninsured/underinsured car accident in Connecticut, an experienced car wreck attorney can help you determine the best path forward.
Liability insurance is used to cover damage to other people and property if you cause an accident. It does not provide coverage to the policyholder for any damage caused by an accident they are at fault for. Connecticut requires liability coverage at a minimum of:
Increasing the limits is a good idea to ensure your policy can cover a severe accident, but higher limits are not required by law in Connecticut.
State law also requires that each car’s liability insurance policy include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage is used if you are in an accident with someone who does not have insurance or whose policy does not provide sufficient coverage for your damages. The limits on this coverage must be the same as the liability limits. So, whether you have the minimum liability coverage or have opted for higher limits, your uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage must have the same limits. You may elect to have less uninsured or underinsured coverage as long as you have at least the minimum required by Connecticut law. We recommend that you have as high a limit as you can reasonably afford.
Here is an example: if you are hit by a drunk driver and require surgery for a leg fracture, your medical bills will be very high, not to mention wage loss, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of activities, and potential permanent disability. If the drunk driver has no insurance and you have only $25,000 of uninsured motorist coverage, then you will not have anywhere near enough insurance to adequately and fairly compensate you for your injuries. We recommend always having at least $300,000 or more if you are able.
Public Act 09-72 requires insurance companies to inform policyholders of the option to add underinsured motorist conversion coverage when issuing a new policy. This is an optional addition to the required underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage guarantees that you will have at least the face amount of your uninsured and underinsured coverage available to you for injuries that are caused by a careless driver, provided the seriousness of your injuries justifies that amount.
Here is an example: if you are hit by a driver distracted by texting who has a minimum liability policy of $25,000, and you have underinsured coverage of $50,000 without the conversion option, the most you may collect from your underinsured coverage is $25,000 after payment of the $25,000 from the negligent driver. But if you have conversion coverage, you can collect the $25,000 from the careless driver and the full $50,000 from your underinsured coverage as long as the seriousness of your injuries justifies it.
Coverage applies to the policyholder, and most policies also cover resident relatives of the policyholder and passengers in the insured vehicle at the time of the accident. Your insurance policy documents should include specific details about who your coverage applies to.
Connecticut allows injured car accident victims to seek economic and non-economic damages, including:
If the driver that caused your accident did not have the required liability insurance, your uninsured/underinsured policy will be required to cover the damages, and the policy limits may not be sufficient.
The attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, are dedicated to fighting for our clients’ best interests. When you need assistance with complex car accident cases—such as uninsured/underinsured car accidents in Connecticut—we have over 100 years of combined experience to draw from when strategizing and advocating for you. Our in-house focus group courtroom provides a unique and invaluable opportunity to assess our legal approach for each case and pivot if necessary to give you the best possible chance at a positive outcome. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
