Guide to Auto Insurance in Kentucky

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident¹

When you purchase a minimum coverage policy in Kentucky, it comes with $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP).² PIP pays for your medical expenses and lost wages if you get injured in an accident, regardless of who was responsible for the crash. However, you have the option to reject PIP if you don’t want the coverage.

As an alternative to a basic liability insurance policy, you can also purchase car insurance with a single policy limit of $60,000. If you choose this option, however, you must carry PIP. Learn more about minimum coverage requirements throughout the U.S., as they vary by state.

For the most protection, Kentucky drivers should consider purchasing additional policies and higher coverage levels. Here are several other types of auto insurance that can be beneficial, as well as and the amount of coverage we recommend for each one:

Liability Insurance

Although a minimum amount of liability insurance is required, you should consider raising your coverage limits for more financial protection in the event of an at-fault crash. We recommend having at least $500,000 in bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance is an optional policy that covers vehicle damage stemming from non-collision incidents, like falling objects, theft, vandalism, fires, flooding, and accidents with animals. Most comprehensive insurance policies compensate you based on the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle, which is equal to the purchase cost minus depreciation.

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance is another optional policy; it pays for your vehicle’s repairs when you cause an accident and your car sustains damage. Like comprehensive insurance, collision insurance reimburses you based on your car’s ACV. You can get comprehensive and collision insurance together when you purchase a full coverage insurance policy.

Uninsured Motorist Insurance

Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your vehicle’s damages if you get hit by a driver who does not have insurance, or who does not have enough coverage to pay for your losses in full. In Kentucky, uninsured motorist insurance is optional, but we recommend adding it to your policy with a coverage limit of at least $500,000.

According to 2020 data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the average annual cost of car insurance in Kentucky is $919.³ Compared to the national average, Kentucky drivers spend 14 percent less on car insurance per year. Here’s a breakdown of average rates by coverage type:

• Liability insurance: $593
• Comprehensive insurance: $169
• Collision insurance: $289

Seeing average rates can be helpful, but keep in mind that car insurance premiums are personalized for every driver, based on factors like age, ZIP code, and the insurance company. When we researched car insurance rates in Kentucky, we found annual premiums as low as $682 and as high as $2,197. The only way to know for sure what you’ll pay for auto insurance in Kentucky is to get a car insurance quote.

• Allstate
• Farmers
• GEICO
• Kentucky Farm Bureau
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• State Farm
• USAA

1. Look for discounts. Most Kentucky car insurance companies offer discounts. These will differ based on the provider, but some common ones include savings for safe drivers, good students, and vehicle safety features like anti-theft devices.
2. Bundle your policies. You may be able to get a discount if you purchase more than one insurance policy from the same company (like auto and home insurance).
3. Raise your deductible. Some types of car insurance coverage, including collision and comprehensive insurance, have a deductible, which is an out-of-pocket cost you must pay when you have an approved claim. Raising your deductible increases the amount you have to pay for a covered claim, but it lowers your monthly premium.
4. Lower your coverage limits. Your car insurance premium is tied to the amount of coverage you purchase. If you want to save money, consider lowering your coverage limits (just make sure your policy still meets your state’s minimum requirements).

After you purchase car insurance in Kentucky, you’ll need to keep proof of insurance on hand. If you get stopped, you may be asked to show proof of insurance to verify that you have the minimum required coverage. If you get pulled over and don’t have proof of insurance, you could face consequences.

• First offense: You will be fined $500 to $1,000 and could also face up to 90 days in jail. Your registration will be suspended for one year or until you provide sufficient proof of insurance.
• Second and subsequent offenses: After a second or any subsequent offense within five years, you will be fined $1,000 to $2,500 and could face up to 180 days in jail. Your registration will be suspended for one year or until you provide proof of coverage. In addition, your driver’s license may be suspended for one year.⁴

In Kentucky, drivers are allowed to present a digital ID card as proof of insurance. Many insurance companies provide digital ID cards through a mobile app or an online customer portal. You can also carry a physical car insurance ID card if you prefer.

Optional No-Fault State

Kentucky is considered a no-fault state by default. Most drivers carry PIP, and their insurance company automatically pays for any medical expenses they incur after an accident, no matter which driver is responsible. Regardless, the at-fault driver pays for all property damage. However, you can opt to reject the no-fault coverage, meaning you can’t receive no-fault benefits like PIP coverage.

Kentucky uses pure comparative negligence laws to determine payouts in an accident when both drivers are partially responsible. This system allows an accident victim to collect compensation based on their percentage of fault.

For example, imagine that Driver A is seeking compensation from Driver B after Driver A sustained a concussion in a crash. If Driver B was only 40 percent responsible for the crash, they would be required to cover only 40 percent of Driver A’s medical bills.

Uninsured Motorists

In Kentucky, you’re not required to carry uninsured motorist insurance. However, having it can be very valuable due to the high number of uninsured drivers in the state.

As of 2019, an estimated 14 percent of Kentucky drivers do not have car insurance, even though it’s legally required.⁵ For comparison, about 12 percent of drivers are uninsured nationally.

If you choose to get uninsured motorist insurance in Kentucky and you have more than one car on your policy, you’re allowed to stack your coverage. When you stack coverage, your policy limit gets multiplied by the number of cars that are insured. For example, if you had policy limits of $50,000/$100,000 and two cars, your limits would increase to $100,000/$200,000.

DUI Laws

Getting a DUI in Kentucky is a serious offense, and the conviction will stay on your record for 10 years. Here are the penalties for a DUI in Kentucky:

Seat Belt Laws

In Kentucky, wearing a seat belt is a primary law in all seats for those 8 year old and older, or those under the age of 7 and over 57 inches tall.⁶ That means a law enforcement officer is allowed to cite you for not wearing a seat belt, even if you are breaking no other laws.

Distracted Driving Laws

Kentucky does not have a blanket ban on the use of handheld devices, but drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use a cell phone while driving.⁷ In addition, it’s illegal for all drivers in Kentucky, regardless of age, to text and drive. The ban on texting and driving is a primary law that comes with a $25 fine for a first offense and a $50 fine for subsequent offenses.

Teen Driver Laws

A teen in Kentucky is allowed to get a learner’s permit, which costs $15, at age 16. Once the teen has a permit, they must follow certain rules.

• Teens cannot drive between midnight and 6 a.m., except in emergencies or for school or work-related activities.
• Teens can only drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old in the front seat.
• Drivers under age 18 are not allowed to drive with more than one unrelated person under age 20.
• Drivers under 18 cannot use a cell phone for any purpose while driving.⁸

Statute of Limitations for Claims

The statute of limitations for auto insurance claims in Kentucky is two years for property damage claims and one year for bodily injury claims. After the statute of limitations passes, insurance companies are not obligated to approve and pay out claims. A driver can attempt to get compensation once the statute of limitations passes, but their claim may get denied.

Cancellation and Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Insurance companies are allowed to cancel your policy in the middle of the policy period. For example, if you lose your driver’s license or lie on your application, your policy can get canceled almost immediately.

In Kentucky, insurance companies must notify you at least 20 days before the cancellation date. If your policy gets canceled because you stopped paying the premium, the insurance company has 14 days to notify you before the policy terminates.

In addition, insurance companies can refuse to renew your policy when the policy period ends. This can happen if the insurance company decides to stop selling the policy you have or you get a DUI. The insurance company must explain their reason for nonrenewal before your policy is dropped, and they must provide at least 75 days’ notice before the termination date.

Self-Insurance

In lieu of a traditional car insurance policy, Kentucky drivers can choose to self-insure through the Kentucky Self-Insured Auto Program (KSAP). This requires posting a bond of $100,000 with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Car Inspection Requirements

Kentucky does not require an annual car inspection like other states do. However, if you purchase a vehicle in another state or are registering a new vehicle for the first time, the sheriff in your previous county will need to verify the car’s VIN through an inspection.

When you go to the inspection, you need to bring your car and the title. In addition to the VIN check, the sheriff’s department will also do a safety check to make sure that the car is suitable for the road. You will have to pay a $5 fee in cash or by check. Check your county’s website to see inspection locations.

Defensive Driving Courses

If you receive a traffic violation in Kentucky, you might be required to take a court-ordered defensive driving course. These courses teach you how to drive safely and avoid hazards.

There are online and in-person state-approved defensive driving courses. The cost for an online class is $39, and for an in-person class, the cost is $15.⁹ Most courses are four hours long.

How to Register Your Car in Kentucky

1. Gather your proof of Kentucky car insurance, driver’s license, and car title.
2. Get your car inspected at your county sheriff’s department.
3. Go to your local DMV branch, which you can find at https://drive.ky.gov/pages/Find-An-Office.aspx.
4. Pay the required fees and taxes.

Kentucky DMV Contact Information

• Mailing address:
  • 200 Mero St.
  • Frankfort, KY 40622
• Phone number: 502-564-1257
• URL: https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/How-Can-We-Help.aspx

How to Get a Duplicate Car Title in Kentucky

1. Print and fill out the application: https://transportation.ky.gov/Organizational-Resources/Forms/TC%2096-182.pdf.
2. Have it notarized.
3. Along with a $6 payment, mail the notarized application to this address:
   1. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
   2. Division of Motor Vehicles Licensing
   3. 200 Mero St.
   4. Frankfort, KY 40622

Kentucky Department of Insurance Contact Information

• Mailing address:
  • 500 Mero St. 2 SE 11
  • Frankfort, KY 40601
• Phone number: 502-564-3630
• URL: https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/staff.aspx

The cost of car repairs is different in every state. In Kentucky, the average cost of vehicle repairs is $389.01, which includes parts and labor. Having your car repaired in Kentucky is only about 1 percent more expensive than the national average.

Car Theft

Kentucky’s car theft rate is about 257 thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, based on 2020 data. That’s roughly 4 percent higher than the national average. However, some cities have higher theft rates than others. The top cities with the highest car theft rates in Kentucky are:

Traffic Fatalities

The rate of traffic fatalities in Kentucky is 3 percent higher than the average rate in the U.S. In 2019, there were 732 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

Kentucky’s roads are mostly safe, but it’s still important to understand the unique driving laws and car insurance requirements in the state. Not only will it help you drive more safely, but it might also help you avoid unexpected penalties if you get pulled over. Further, driving safely and avoiding tickets and accidents can help you maintain a lower car insurance premium.