Connecticut Personal Lines Law & Coverage Rules
This chapter covers the Connecticut-specific personal lines rules that sit on top of the shared national property & casualty fundamentals: who regulates insurance in Connecticut, the minimum auto liability limits drivers must carry, mandatory uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, the state's at-fault (tort) system, and the notice rules that govern cancellation and nonrenewal. Figures below were checked against the Connecticut Insurance Department and state motor-vehicle sources this session; always confirm current numbers with the department before advising a client.
The Connecticut Insurance Department
Insurance in Connecticut is regulated at the state level by the Connecticut Insurance Department, led by an appointed Insurance Commissioner. The department licenses producers, reviews policy forms and rates, investigates complaints, and enforces the state insurance code. There is no federal insurance department — knowing that Connecticut's own regulator oversees personal lines is a common exam point. Official site: https://portal.ct.gov/cid.
Minimum Auto Liability Limits (25/50/25)
To satisfy Connecticut's financial-responsibility law, a personal auto policy must carry at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage (written 25/50/25). These are minimums — producers should explain that higher limits better protect the insured's assets. Because required limits can change, verify the current figures with the Connecticut Insurance Department.
Mandatory Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Connecticut is one of the states that requires uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on personal auto policies, with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. UM/UIM fills the gap when the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. In an at-fault system this coverage carries real weight, so producers should explain it clearly and confirm the current requirement with the department.
At-Fault (Tort) System, Cancellation and Nonrenewal
Connecticut is a traditional at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes a crash is liable for the other party's injuries and property damage — it is not a no-fault/PIP state. Separately, state law limits the reasons an insurer may cancel a personal auto or homeowners policy mid-term (for example nonpayment or material misrepresentation) and requires advance written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal. The exact number of days depends on the reason and line — verify the current Connecticut notice periods with the Connecticut Insurance Department rather than memorizing a single number.