New Haven is one of the oldest and most populous cities in the U.S. and is home to renowned educational institutions, including Yale University, New Haven University, and Albertus Magnus College. Having so many students and young drivers on the roads is likely why its car insurance rates are higher than the state’s average.
Drivers in New Haven pay monthly average rates of $252 for liability insurance and $353 for full coverage, compared to the state averages of $190 and $282. Despite these higher premiums, cheap car insurance is still available.
Here’s what you need to know about comparing quotes and finding an affordable auto policy in New Haven.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in New Haven
The best car insurance policy for you will depend on several factors including your budget, driving record, coverage preferences, and more. That's why it's so important to compare quotes from several insurers. As you start your search, keep these three top insurers in mind.
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: State Farm
Best insurer for high-risk drivers: Foremost
Best insurer for digital experience: GEICO
How to get the cheapest car insurance in New Haven
To find a great deal on an auto policy in New Haven, you’ll need to shop around and explore your options at different car insurance companies. Here are several additional tips that might help you find the cheapest rates for your unique situation:
Look for discounts. Most car insurance companies offer various discounts that can lower your car insurance costs. You can call a local insurance agent to ask about available discounts that may apply to you.
Take a defensive driving course. Some car insurers offer discounts to drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course. You might be able to take it online and get a lower rate.
Bundle insurance. If you pair your car insurance with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or even life insurance, you can potentially save some money on your auto insurance premiums.
Drive safely. A driving record with incidents like speeding tickets and DUIs can increase your car insurance rates. Do your best to drive safely and maintain a clean driving record.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in New Haven: State Farm
Connecticut law mandates that drivers purchase and maintain liability car insurance. This type of policy helps pay for the other driver’s property damage and injury costs after an at-fault accident.
Liability-only policies cost $252 per month on average in New Haven. This insurance is often the cheapest car insurance available because it offers limited coverage.
Here’s a look at the cheapest quotes for liability-only auto policies in New Haven.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in New Haven: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance is optional in New Haven and typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Because it includes more coverages, it often costs more than a liability-only policy. The average price for full-coverage car insurance in New Haven is $353 per month.
If you finance or lease your car, your lender or lessor may require full-coverage car insurance to protect against financial losses from vehicle damages.
Here’s a look at the cheapest full-coverage car insurance companies in New Haven.
Car insurance requirements in Connecticut
Connecticut is an at-fault state — also called a tort state — and has been since 1994.2 This means that the driver who causes a car accident is responsible for paying for the damages and injuries of the other involved parties, usually through their liability insurance.
Per Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence rule, you may be able to collect compensation for your losses, even if you were partially responsible for the accident. As long as you’re 50% or less at fault, you may be able to recover damages. Drivers are required to show proof of insurance to avoid fines and registration suspension.
Here are Connecticut’s minimum car insurance requirements:3
While liability-only insurance is the most affordable option, you may want to invest in optional car insurance to protect you financially in different situations. Here are several policies you might want to explore as a driver in New Haven:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
A few examples of incidents that can increase your car insurance premiums are at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. New Haven drivers with clean records often pay the lowest premiums because car insurance companies view them as less risky.
Here’s an overview of the average cost of car insurance in New Haven, based on driving history.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
Speeding can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and impair your ability to react to dangerous situations on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.4 For this reason, New Haven drivers with speeding tickets usually face higher rates. The average monthly insurance rate for drivers with a speeding ticket in New Haven is $296 for liability coverage and $414 for full coverage.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies in New Haven for drivers with speeding tickets on their records.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm
Between 2016 and 2021, Connecticut reported 501,320 car accidents.6 If you cause a car accident, car insurers will perceive you as a greater risk on the road and likely charge you higher premiums as a result. Drivers in New Haven with an accident on their record pay an average of $314 per month for liability coverage and $440 for full coverage.
Here are the cheapest monthly quotes for New Haven drivers with an at-fault accident on their records.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
There were 8,908 DUI-related accidents in Connecticut between January 2020 and April 2023.7 The state takes DUIs very seriously and imposes consequences such as hefty fines and jail time. A DUI can also lead to higher auto insurance rates and warrant the need for an SR-22 insurance form.
Drivers in New Haven with a DUI pay monthly averages of $406 for liability coverage and $568 for full coverage.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a DUI in New Haven.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: CSAA
Because senior drivers are more likely to cause an accident than middle-aged drivers, their car insurance costs tend to be higher. Average rates usually go down around age 35 and pick back up a bit again around age 70, but seniors still typically have lower-than-average rates.8
Seniors in New Haven pay a monthly average of $217 for liability coverage and $305 for full coverage.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for New Haven seniors.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: CSAA
Teen drivers have less experience on the road and usually pay higher car insurance premiums as a result. In New Haven, teens pay a monthly average of $424 for liability coverage and $594 for full coverage.
Fortunately, teen drivers can save on a policy if they stay on their parents’ insurance, complete a defensive driving course, and lock in a good student discount.9
The table below shows average monthly car insurance quotes for teens and young drivers in New Haven.
New Haven car insurance quotes by credit tier
Connecticut allows car insurance companies to use your credit history when underwriting policies. Car insurance companies believe that drivers with good to excellent credit are less risky and file fewer claims than drivers with poor credit.10 This is why many car insurers look at the credit histories of prospective policyholders to help determine rates.
The chart below shows that New Haven drivers with excellent credit pay $329 per month, on average, while drivers with poor credit pay an average of $661 per month.
Is car insurance more expensive in New Haven?
Car insurance premiums for New Haven drivers are significantly higher than the national average. It’s important to note that rates can vary by ZIP code and city within Connecticut due to differences in population, crime rates, weather conditions, and other factors.
New Haven has plenty of students attending school in and around the city, which could contribute to higher car accident rates. Bridgeport reported close to 18,000 car accidents between January 2020 and April 2023, but New Haven reported more than 20,000.7
More cities in Connecticut
Here’s a look at average car insurance quotes in some other Connecticut cities.