Connecticut requires uninsured motorist coverage, and it pays your damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance

Connecticut law mandates that every auto insurance policy include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. This means your own insurance pays for your injuries and vehicle damage if you are hit by a driver who carries no liability insurance. The coverage applies whether the uninsured driver caused the crash or fled the scene. You cannot waive this coverage entirely—your insurer must offer it, and you can only reduce it below your liability limits in writing.

The statute (Connecticut General Statutes § 38a-371) sets a floor, not a ceiling. Your policy's UM limit is the maximum your insurer will pay. If your UM limit is $25,000 and your damages total $50,000, you receive $25,000 from your own policy. The uninsured driver's assets may still be pursued separately, but that is a civil matter outside insurance.

UM coverage also applies to hit-and-run crashes where the other vehicle is never identified. You must report the crash to police and file a claim with your own insurer within the time frame your policy allows—usually 30 days for a hit-and-run, though you should report it when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut law requires every auto policy to include uninsured motorist coverage; you cannot opt out entirely, only reduce the limit in writing.
  • UM coverage pays your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle damage when an uninsured driver causes the crash.
  • Hit-and-run crashes are covered under UM if you report the crash to police and file a claim with your insurer within your policy's important date.
  • Your UM payout is capped at the limit you chose on your policy, regardless of your actual damages.
  • If the uninsured driver is later identified and sued, your insurer may pursue recovery from that driver's assets.

How Connecticut's UM coverage limit works

When you buy an auto policy in Connecticut, your insurer presents you with a UM limit—the amount they will pay if an uninsured motorist injures you or damages your car. Common limits are $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 per person and per accident. The "per person" limit is what one injured person can recover; the "per accident" limit is the total the insurer will pay if multiple people are hurt in the same crash.

Your UM limit does not have to match your liability limit. You could carry $100,000 in liability (to protect you if you injure someone else) but only $25,000 in UM (to protect you if an uninsured driver injures you). However, Connecticut law requires your UM limit to be at least as high as your liability limit unless you sign a written waiver reducing it. That waiver must be separate from your policy and must clearly state you understand you are reducing your protection.

If your damages exceed your UM limit, you cannot recover the difference from your insurer. You may pursue a civil lawsuit against the uninsured driver directly, but collecting from someone with no insurance is often difficult or impossible.

Filing a UM claim after a crash with an uninsured driver

After a crash, your first step is to determine whether the other driver has insurance. Ask for their insurance card at the scene, and note their name, address, phone number, and vehicle details. If they refuse to provide insurance information or give false details, document that refusal.

Report the crash to your own insurer as soon as possible—most policies require notice within 30 days, though sooner is better. Provide your insurer with the other driver's information, a police report number if one was filed, photos of the damage, and medical records if you were injured. Your insurer will then investigate whether the other driver actually carried no insurance at the time of the crash.

Insurers sometimes dispute whether a driver was truly uninsured. For example, if the other driver's policy had lapsed by one day, or if they carried a policy that excluded them as a driver, your insurer may deny the claim. This is why the police report and your documentation matter—they create a record the insurer must address.

Once your insurer accepts the claim as a valid UM claim, they will ask for medical records, repair estimates, and proof of lost wages if you were injured. The process typically takes 30 to 60 days, though complex cases may take longer.

Hit-and-run crashes and UM coverage

A hit-and-run is covered under UM if the other vehicle is never identified. You must report the crash to police and file a report with your insurer. Your insurer will require the police report number and will verify that you reported it to law enforcement.

The reason for this requirement is straightforward: insurers need proof that a crash actually occurred and that you did not cause the damage yourself. A police report creates that record. If you do not report a hit-and-run to police, your insurer can deny the UM claim.

If the hit-and-run driver is later identified—for example, through surveillance video or a witness—your insurer may switch the claim from UM to a claim against that driver's liability insurance. This can matter if the identified driver's liability limit is higher than your UM limit, because you could then recover more.

Stacking and UM coverage limits

Stacking refers to combining UM limits from multiple vehicles or policies to increase the total recovery. Connecticut law allows stacking in certain situations. If you own two cars and each has a $25,000 UM limit, you may be able to stack them to recover up to $50,000 if an uninsured motorist injures you.

However, stacking is not automatic. Your policy language determines whether stacking is allowed. Some policies prohibit it; others allow it only if you pay an extra premium. When you buy or renew your policy, ask your agent whether stacking is included and at what cost. If you own multiple vehicles, this can significantly affect your recovery in a serious crash.

Stacking also applies to household members. If your spouse has a separate auto policy with UM coverage, you may be able to stack their limit with yours. Again, this depends on policy language and state law, so confirm with your insurer before relying on it.

Underinsured motorist coverage and Connecticut law

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is different from UM coverage. UIM applies when the at-fault driver has insurance, but their liability limit is too low to cover your damages. For example, if the other driver carries only $25,000 in liability and your damages are $75,000, UIM coverage bridges the gap (up to your UIM limit).

Connecticut does not mandate UIM coverage the way it mandates UM. However, many insurers offer it as an add-on, and it is worth considering if you have significant assets or a high risk of serious injury. UIM limits are often set at the same level as UM limits, and the same stacking rules may explore.

When you file a UM or UIM claim, your insurer will ask whether you have already recovered money from the at-fault driver's liability insurance. Your insurer will not pay twice for the same damage, so they will subtract any liability recovery from what they owe you under UM or UIM.

Disputes over UM claims and your options

Your insurer may deny a UM claim for several reasons: the other driver actually had insurance, the crash did not occur as you described, your damages are not covered under your policy, or you missed a important date. If you disagree with the denial, you have options.

First, request a written explanation of the denial. Your insurer must provide specific reasons, not just a blanket refusal. Review your policy language to see whether the denial is justified under the terms you agreed to.

If you believe the denial is wrong, you can file a complaint with the Connecticut Insurance Department. The department investigates complaints and can pressure insurers to reconsider. You can also hire an attorney to review the claim and pursue it further. Many personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of any recovery rather than charging an upfront fee.

Connecticut also allows you to pursue a lawsuit against your own insurer if they wrongfully deny a UM claim. This is called a "bad faith" claim and can result in damages beyond what the policy would have paid, including attorney fees and court costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refuse uninsured motorist coverage in Connecticut?

No, not entirely. Connecticut law requires every policy to include UM coverage. You can only reduce the limit below your liability limit by signing a separate written waiver. Even then, you must carry some UM coverage. Most drivers keep their UM limit equal to or higher than their liability limit for maximum protection.

What if the uninsured driver is later found and sued?

Your insurer may pursue a lawsuit against the uninsured driver to recover what they paid you. This is called subrogation. If the driver is found to have assets, your insurer can collect from them. Any recovery goes to your insurer first to repay what they paid out, though you may benefit if the recovery exceeds your claim payout.

Does UM coverage pay for rental car costs while mine is being repaired?

That depends on your policy. UM covers the damage itself, but rental reimbursement is usually a separate coverage called "rental reimbursement" or "transportation coverage." Check your policy declarations page to see whether you have this coverage and what the daily limit is.

How long do I have to file a UM claim after a crash?

Most Connecticut policies require notice within 30 days of the crash. However, you should report it to your insurer when ready. Delays can complicate the investigation and may give your insurer grounds to deny the claim if they cannot verify the facts.

What if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Connecticut is a comparative negligence state, meaning you can recover even if you were partly responsible. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 20 percent at fault and your damages are $50,000, you recover $40,000. Your insurer will investigate fault and may reduce your UM payout accordingly.