Driving Without Insurance in Connecticut

An owner who drives or allows a registered vehicle to be driven without the required insurance faces a fine of $100 to $1,000 on conviction (a knowing violation with a commercial-registration vehicle is a class D felony), and the DMV suspends the owner's registration and license for one month on a first conviction and six months for a second or later conviction; the license is not restored until the owner proves insurance on every registered vehicle. Separately, when an insurer reports a lapse of more than 14 days, the DMV mails a suspension warning notice; the owner can resolve it by showing current insurance and paying a $200 civil penalty under a consent agreement, or by proving continuous coverage. If the owner does not respond, the registration and all registration privileges are suspended, and the owner's license may be suspended if the matter is not resolved within 30 days of the registration suspension.

The registration certificate and the insurance identification card must be carried in the vehicle whenever it is driven on a public highway (failure is an infraction with a $50 fine). An insurance card may be shown to the DMV or a police officer electronically, on a cell phone or other device, and showing it does not allow the officer to view other content. Insurers must report cancellations to the DMV, and police and the DMV can check the state's Online Insurance Verification System. When the DMV asks for proof, only a declaration page, a letter of experience, or a valid permanent Connecticut insurance ID card are accepted — temporary cards, bills or binders are not.

When a driver's record on file justifies it, the DMV Commissioner can require proof of financial responsibility (at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 property damage) before issuing or keeping a license or registration; if it is not provided, the license or registration is suspended or revoked until it is. Proof can be an insurer's certificate (an SR-22-type filing) that cannot be canceled without 10 days' written notice to the Commissioner (insurers may charge up to $10 for the filing), a surety bond, or a deposit of money or collateral with the State Treasurer.