
Travelers, Auto-Owners, USAA, and State Farm offer some of the cheapest rates in Kentucky.
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Kentucky, known for its rolling bluegrass fields and world-famous horse racing, is also home to nearly 3 million licensed drivers. While the state’s scenic roads are perfect for cruising, auto insurance premiums in Kentucky can be costly. Kentucky’s statewide average for full coverage auto insurance is $2,223 per year, on par with the national average of $2,399.
Fortunately, some insurance providers offer more affordable rates. Below, we break down the cheapest car insurance options in Kentucky for different types of drivers, helping you find the best coverage at the lowest price.
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Full coverage car insurance provides liability protection with higher limits as well as comprehensive and collision coverage. In Kentucky, the average full coverage premium is $2,223 per year, but Auto-Owners offers a significantly lower rate at $1,398 per year — 37 percent cheaper than the state average. Travelers ($1,517 annually) and State Farm ($1,702 annually) also offer below-average rates.
Provider | Annual Full Coverage | Monthly Full Coverage |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $1,398 | $117 |
Travelers | $1,517 | $126 |
State Farm | $1,702 | $142 |
USAA | $1,728 | $144 |
GEICO | $1,831 | $153 |
Shelter | $1,880 | $157 |
Kentucky average | $2,223 | $185 |
National average | $2,399 | $200 |
Kentucky requires a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally, but it’s important to note that minimum coverage could leave you financially vulnerable in the event of an accident.
The average minimum coverage premium in Kentucky is $788 per year, but Travelers provides the cheapest option at just $608 annually, which is 23 percent cheaper than the state average. Other budget-friendly options include USAA ($648) and Auto-Owners ($654).
Provider | Annual Minimum Coverage | Monthly Minimum Coverage |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $608 | $51 |
USAA | $648 | $54 |
Auto-Owners | $654 | $55 |
GEICO | $664 | $55 |
State Farm | $720 | $60 |
Shelter | $786 | $66 |
Kentucky average | $788 | $66 |
National average | $635 | $53 |
Driving without insurance in Kentucky can result in fines, license suspension, and even jail time. A first offense will result in a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. Your registration will be suspended for one year or until you provide sufficient proof of insurance.
Households with teen drivers face some of the highest insurance rates due to teens’ lack of driving inexperience. The average cost in Kentucky of insuring a teen driver is $4,465 per year, but USAA offers the lowest rate at $3,695 annually — a savings of 23 percent compared to the state average. Note that USAA is only available to military members, veterans, and their families, however. For those who don’t qualify for USAA, Shelter ($4,596 annually) and State Farm ($4,936 annually) provide other competitive options.
Provider | Annual With Teen Driver | Monthly With Teen Driver |
---|---|---|
USAA | $3,695 | $308 |
Shelter | $4,596 | $383 |
State Farm | $4,936 | $411 |
Travelers | $5,312 | $443 |
Auto-Owners | $5,528 | $461 |
GEICO | $7,065 | $589 |
Kentucky average | $5,133 | $428 |
National average | $5,327 | $444 |
A speeding ticket can raise your insurance rates by 20 percent or more in Kentucky. The cheapest provider for drivers with a speeding ticket is Auto-Owners; their average rates are $1,827 per year, 34 percent less than the state average of $2,785. Other cheaper options include State Farm ($1,863 annually) and GEICO ($2,119 per year).
Provider | Annual With Speeding Ticket | Monthly With Speeding Ticket |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $1,827 | $152 |
State Farm | $1,863 | $155 |
GEICO | $2,119 | $177 |
Travelers | $2,216 | $185 |
USAA | $2,233 | $186 |
Shelter | $2,380 | $198 |
Kentucky average | $2,785 | $232 |
National average | $2,511 | $209 |
Having an at-fault accident within the past three years will likely increase your insurance rates. The Kentucky average for drivers with an accident is $3,183 per year, but State Farm offers the lowest rate at $1,996 annually — a 37 percent savings compared to the state average. Travelers ($2,377 annually) and USAA ($2,683 annually) also provide cheaper-than-average rates.
Provider | Annual With At-Fault Accident | Monthly With At-Fault Accident |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $1,996 | $166 |
Travelers | $2,377 | $198 |
USAA | $2,683 | $224 |
Auto-Owners | $2,687 | $224 |
Shelter | $2,894 | $241 |
GEICO | $3,523 | $294 |
Kentucky average | $3,183 | $265 |
National average | $2,812 | $234 |
A DUI can have long-lasting financial and legal consequences, including much higher insurance premiums. The average cost of insurance for a driver with a DUI in Kentucky is $4,112 per year, but Travelers offers a much lower rate at $2,528 annually. USAA ($2,845 annually) and State Farm ($3,102 annually) also provide relatively lower rates.
Provider | Annual With DUI | Monthly With DUI |
---|---|---|
Travelers | $2,528 | $211 |
USAA | $2,845 | $237 |
State Farm | $3,102 | $259 |
Shelter | $3,174 | $265 |
Auto-Owners | $3,864 | $322 |
GEICO | $5,366 | $447 |
Kentucky average | $4,112 | $343 |
National average | $3,305 | $275 |
Kentucky allows insurers to consider credit history when calculating auto insurance rates. The statewide average for drivers with low credit is $4,767 annually, but GEICO offers a significantly lower rate at $2,851 per year — 40 percent cheaper than the state average. Other lower-cost options include Travelers ($3,194 annually) and USAA ($3,552 annually).
Provider | Annual With Low Credit | Monthly With Low Credit |
---|---|---|
GEICO | $2,851 | $238 |
Travelers | $3,194 | $266 |
USAA | $3,552 | $296 |
Auto-Owners | $4,953 | $413 |
State Farm | $5,533 | $461 |
Shelter | $5,822 | $485 |
Kentucky average | $4,767 | $397 |
National average | $3,377 | $281 |
J.D. Power surveys show that USAA consistently ranks highest in both customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction for auto insurance in Kentucky. However, because USAA is only available to military members and their families, State Farm (673) and Shelter (679) are top choices for the general public. While Auto-Owners underperformed on J.D. Power studies, the provider made the Honor Roll on CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card, which surveys collision repair shops on insurers’ claims practices.
Provider | J.D. Power Southeast region Satisfaction Score1 | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Score2 | CRASH Network Insurer Report Card Grade3 |
---|---|---|---|
USAA | 759 | 726 | D+ |
Shelter | 679 | Not Ranked | B- (B in South region) |
State Farm | 673 | 710 | C- |
GEICO | 651 | 692 | C- |
Auto-Owners | 650 | 692 | B (Honor Roll) |
Travelers | 642 | 684 | C |
Average | 663 | 697 | C+ |
No two drivers will receive the exact same insurance quote. Follow these tips to ensure you’re getting the lowest rate possible:
The cost of car insurance varies by location. Rates are usually higher in major cities due to increased density and risk of accidents and theft. Louisville has the highest average premium among Kentucky’s major cities at $2,746 annually, while Owensboro has the lowest at $1,900.
City | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|
Louisville | $2,746 | $229 |
Lexington | $2,169 | $181 |
Bowling Green | $1,972 | $164 |
Owensboro | $1,900 | $158 |
Hopkinsville | $2,292 | $191 |
Kentucky average | $2,223 | $185 |
To legally drive in Kentucky, you must carry at least:
Kentucky is a “choice” no-fault state — by default, drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000 per person, but they can choose to reject this coverage. Carrying PIP coverage increases your insurance premium, but it can provide significant savings in the event of a serious injury, as it helps cover medical expenses and lost wages without relying on another party’s insurance.
Consider purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to protect yourself financially if you’re in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. Nearly 19 percent of drivers in Kentucky are uninsured, the sixth-highest rate in the country.5
Finally, if you leased or financed your vehicle, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage, including comprehensive and collision.
We analyze average premiums in Kentucky for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit as well as various driver profiles, including those with DUIs, accidents, low credit, and teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:
Trust Emerges as Top Driver of Customer Satisfaction with Auto Insurance as Prices Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2024, Jun 5).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-insurance-study
Auto Insurance Repair Cycle Times Improve but Price Increases Take a Toll, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2024, Oct 29).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-study
2024 CRASH Network Insurer Report Card. CRASH Network. (2024).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/
Mandatory Insurance. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. (2024).
https://drive.ky.gov/Vehicles/Pages/Mandatory-Insurance.aspx
Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists. Insurance Information Institute (III). (2023, Nov).
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists