Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Seniors in Connecticut
Connecticut requires this coverage on every auto policy, and it matters more as you get older because the cost of a serious injury falls on you if the other driver has nothing.
Yes, and Connecticut requires it
Connecticut requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on every auto policy sold in the state. You cannot waive it the way drivers can in some other states. It pays for your injuries, and in some cases your car, when the driver at fault either has no insurance or doesn't have enough to cover what happened.
For a driver in their sixties or older, this coverage carries more weight than it might have earlier in life. Recovery from an injury takes longer, medical costs run higher, and a gap in coverage leaves you paying out of pocket for care that a careless driver should have covered. The age doesn't change what the law requires. It changes how much the coverage is worth to you if you're ever hit.
How much coverage you carry, not just whether you have it
Connecticut sets a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage insurers must offer, but the minimum and the right amount for you aren't the same thing. Many drivers carry only what the policy defaults to, often matching their liability limits, without ever deciding if that's enough.
Think about what a serious injury actually costs. Hospital stays, rehabilitation, time away from work if you still work, ongoing care. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or the state minimum only, your uninsured motorist coverage is what stands between you and paying that difference yourself.
Ask your insurer what limits you currently carry and whether you can raise them. Raising uninsured motorist coverage is often one of the more affordable changes you can make to a policy, since it isn't tied to your own driving record the way liability coverage is.
Underinsured coverage matters as much as uninsured
People hear 'uninsured motorist coverage' and picture a driver with no insurance at all. The more common situation is a driver who has insurance but not enough. Connecticut requires underinsured motorist coverage alongside uninsured, and the two work together.
If the at-fault driver's policy pays out but falls short of your actual costs, underinsured motorist coverage is what makes up the gap. Without it, you'd be left covering the rest yourself, even though the accident wasn't your fault.
When you're comparing quotes or reviewing your current policy, look at both figures together, not just one. An insurer may advertise strong uninsured motorist limits while underinsured limits stay low. Ask directly what each one covers and whether they match.
Questions people ask about this
Can I drop uninsured motorist coverage in Connecticut if I don't want it?
No. Connecticut requires this coverage on every auto policy and doesn't allow drivers to waive it, unlike some other states. Any quote you receive should already include it, so ask your insurer to explain the limits rather than whether it's included.
Does uninsured motorist coverage go up as I get older?
Age itself isn't what sets the cost. Insurers price this coverage based on the limits you choose and your driving record, not your age alone. If your premium changed at renewal, ask your insurer which part of the policy moved and why.
Does uninsured motorist coverage pay for my car or just my injuries?
It depends on the policy and the type of claim. Some uninsured motorist coverage in Connecticut applies to bodily injury only, while damage to your car may fall under your collision coverage instead. Check your policy or ask your insurer which coverage would apply to vehicle damage specifically.
Will my rates go up if I use uninsured motorist coverage after an accident?
This depends on your insurer's own rules, since the accident wasn't your fault. Some insurers treat a not-at-fault claim differently than one where you caused the damage. Ask your insurer directly how a claim like this affects your renewal before you assume either way.
Do I still need uninsured motorist coverage if I have good health insurance?
Health insurance and uninsured motorist coverage pay for different things and don't substitute for each other. Health insurance may cover medical bills up to its own limits, but uninsured motorist coverage can also cover lost income, pain and suffering, and costs your health plan doesn't, depending on your policy.
See what other insurers would charge for the same coverage before your renewal lands.
Pull out your current policy and find the uninsured and underinsured motorist limits, not just the premium total. Call your insurer and ask what those limits actually are in dollar terms and whether raising them is an option. If you're near a renewal date, use that call to also ask how a limit increase would change your premium. Then compare what you're paying now against quotes from other insurers for the same limits, so you're comparing like for like. Keep the renewal notice and any letter from your insurer in one place in case you need to reference the current limits later.
