Car insurance isn’t just a legal requirement in Connecticut—it’s your first line of defense if you’re involved in an accident. Yet, every year, many drivers opt for the cheapest possible coverage or let their policies lapse altogether. It might save you money short term, but when something goes wrong—and it often does—the financial and emotional toll can be life-altering.

At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’ve spent more than 20 years helping car accident victims throughout Connecticut get back on their feet. One thing we see far too often? Drivers who discover too late that their policy doesn’t protect them when they need it most.

The Reality of Driving in Connecticut

Connecticut law requires that all drivers carry minimum liability coverage, which includes:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in equal amounts

While this may meet the legal requirement, it doesn’t always meet the needs of a real-world accident. Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, vehicle replacement, and other losses can easily exceed these limits. Worse, if you’re struck by a driver with no insurance—and yes, they’re out there—your only protection comes from your own UM/UIM coverage.

Why Minimum Coverage Isn’t Always Enough

Many drivers assume they’re fully covered, but in a major accident, minimum coverage runs out fast. The result? Victims left with unpaid bills, insurance claims denied, or worse—facing a lawsuit with no protection. If you’re the at-fault driver and your policy doesn’t cover the full extent of damages, you could be personally liable, putting your home, savings, and assets at risk.

We understand insurance is expensive. But as a personal injury law firm, we’ve represented too many clients who were financially devastated because they didn’t have the right coverage in place.

Uninsured Drivers Are Still a Problem

Even though Connecticut law requires drivers to carry insurance, many people still drive illegally without it. If you’re in a crash caused by someone without insurance, you can’t count on them to pay for your injuries or damage. In these cases, your only option is your own uninsured motorist coverage, which kicks in when the other party can’t cover your losses.

Unfortunately, many drivers aren’t aware of how critical UM/UIM coverage is—or don’t carry enough to fully protect themselves. That’s why reviewing your policy and understanding your limits is one of the smartest things you can do today to protect your future.

Real Risks, Real Consequences

We’ve handled countless cases involving:

• Clients hit by uninsured drivers with no way to recover damages
• People who unknowingly had minimal or excluded coverage
• Individuals sued after causing an accident, only to find out their insurance didn’t come close to covering the full costs
• Families devastated by a crash, forced to pay out-of-pocket for medical care, rehabilitation, and property loss

These stories are more common than you think. The right coverage could mean the difference between financial stability and a long, painful recovery with mounting debt.

What Happens If You’re in an Accident Outside of Connecticut?

Auto insurance laws vary widely from state to state. While Connecticut offers relatively strong protections for auto accident victims—especially when it comes to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage—that isn’t always the case in neighboring or out-of-state jurisdictions. If you’re involved in a crash in a state with less favorable insurance laws, you could face additional complications recovering damages, especially if your policy doesn’t provide sufficient flexibility or travel coverage.

Some states have lower minimum coverage requirements than Connecticut or follow “no-fault” rules, which may limit your ability to sue the at-fault driver or recover pain and suffering damages. This becomes especially important if:

• You’re traveling for work, school, or family
• You’re hit by a driver insured in another state
• The at-fault driver lives in a state with weak liability laws or insurance minimums
• Your vehicle is involved in an out-of-state accident with unclear jurisdiction

In many of these situations, your own insurance policy becomes your primary line of defense, especially your underinsured motorist coverage. If you’ve chosen only the state minimums, you might find yourself under-protected when it matters most.

Take These Steps Today

You can take control of your coverage right now by:

• Reviewing your policy limits and making sure they reflect real-world risks
• Matching your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your liability coverage
• Asking your agent about umbrella policies, which can add an extra layer of protection at an affordable rate
• Making sure your policy includes medical payments (MedPay) to help with immediate expenses after a crash
• Verifying that your coverage won’t leave you exposed if you’re sued

Remember: having insurance and having enough insurance are not the same thing.

Why Our Connecticut Personal Injury Firm Cares

At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’re not insurance agents—we’re your advocates when things go wrong. With over two decades of experience serving injury victims in Waterbury, Hartford, Danbury, and throughout Connecticut, we’ve seen the devastation underinsurance causes.

We’ve fought back against unfair insurance denials, helped clients secure compensation from uninsured drivers, and represented those facing lawsuits because their policies didn’t offer enough protection. We do this work because we believe you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system alone after an accident.

We also believe in being proactive. Don’t wait until you’re injured or sued to learn that your policy wasn’t enough. Reviewing your coverage now is one of the best ways to prevent a financial disaster later.

Injured in an Accident? Call Us Today.

If you’ve been hurt in a car crash—whether the other driver was insured or not—The Law Offices of James A. Welcome is ready to help. Our team will review your case, explain your rights, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (203) 753-7300 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and we’re proud to protect Connecticut’s communities with personalized legal support.

Cutting corners on insurance might save money short-term, but the cost of being unprepared in an accident is far greater. The right coverage is your protection against the unknown. And if the unexpected happens, you’ll want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered.

At The Law Offices of James A. Welcome, we’re here to support you—before, during, and after an accident. Let us be your trusted legal team when it matters most.