From Cumberland Falls and Mammoth Cave to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Churchill Downs, Kentucky has something for everyone. But whether your idea of fun is driving to a state park for a weekend camping trip or taking back roads home from work to see your family faster, affordable auto insurance coverage can help protect you on any journey.

Direct Auto Insurance is proud to offer cheap car insurance in Kentucky, the “Bluegrass State,” and in this guide, were teaching you which coverages are required, which ones are optional, and how Direct Auto can help you find cheap Kentucky car insurance. Get a free quote to see how much money you can save with Direct.

Kentucky Car Insurance Laws

Do you have to have car insurance in Kentucky?

Kentucky law requires all drivers to carry appropriate insurance for any vehicle they have registered in the state. Kentucky auto insurance policies must at least meet the minimum liability coverage limits, typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in Kentucky are 25/50/25, as shown below under Kentucky Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.

In addition to liability coverage, Kentucky drivers are also required to carry Personal Injury Protection, which is often referred to as “PIP” coverage.

What is a no-fault state?

When people say, “Kentucky is a no-fault state,” what do they mean? Well, in a no-fault state, each person injured in a car accident files a claim on the policy of the vehicle they were occupying for their medical expenses. If an injured party does not have their own auto insurance, they would file a claim under the policy insuring the vehicle they were occupying at the time of the accident. Additionally, no fault states generally restrict you from recovering damages from the at-fault party unless they exceed a certain threshold.

In an at-fault state, however, the at-fault driver must have insurance to cover the other person's medical expenses, not their own. In this scenario, the at-fault driver's insurance would help cover the accident victim's expenses.

No-fault coverage only applies to injuries. In both no-fault states and at-fault states, drivers file property damage claims with the at-fault party's insurer.

Kentucky Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Wondering what your insurance policy needs to keep you in compliance with Kentucky law? Here's a quick breakdown by coverage type.

Coverages	Is It Required by Law?
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary).	Yes. $25,000 bodily injury per person/$50,000 bodily injury per accident.
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other peoples property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox, and more.	Yes. $25,000 property damage per accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM), or cant be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage.	Not required but included in policies by default unless rejected in writing.
Personal Injury Protection helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault.	Yes. $10,000 Basic PIP coverage or $10,000 Guest PIP coverage (for passengers and pedestrians) if each household member rejects Basic PIP.
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail, or another object, regardless of fault.	Not required.¹
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism, or contact with an animal.	Not required.¹

IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing liability-only coverage and PIP coverage ensures you follow Kentucky's insurance laws, it doesn't necessarily protect you and your vehicle in every circumstance. You would need to add additional coverage, like comprehensive and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle from damages, regardless of fault in an accident.

¹Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.

Are there additional coverage options?

For added peace of mind, there are add-on services and other insurance products available to Kentucky drivers:

Kentucky Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties

What if I don't meet Kentucky's minimum car insurance requirements?

Thinking about getting behind the wheel without coverage? Think again! Kentucky drivers who are caught driving uninsured face severe consequences that can include fines, registration revocation, license suspension/revocation, and potential jail time.

However, the exact punishment depends on which offense it is and your specific circumstances. For example, for a first offense, Kentucky drivers face a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, and registration revocation. Therefore, its important to do whatever you can to avoid a coverage lapse, never drive uninsured, and to always carry proof of insurance when you get behind the wheel.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Kentucky

It's against the law to operate a vehicle without a valid drivers license in Kentucky. The exact penalty for driving with a suspended license depends on a few factors, although it generally involves fines, jail time, and increased license suspensions. The consequences typically become more severe with each subsequent offense, and the charge can rise from a misdemeanor to a felony. So, if your license is ever suspended, make sure to follow all the steps to get it reinstated before getting behind the wheel again.

SR-22 Insurance in Kentucky

In many states, high-risk drivers are also required to keep an SR22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the states minimum coverage requirements. Kentucky doesn't require SR-22 filings, but if you ever move to a new state, you might be required to file one if you've:

Been caught not maintaining proper liability coverage.
Been convicted of a DUI/DWI.
Committed other serious driving violations.

If you have questions about SR-22 filings, we'd be happy to help. Direct Auto specializes in helping drivers find affordable car insurance coverage, regardless of their driving or insurance history. Give us a call today.

High-Risk Auto Insurance in Kentucky

Most individuals don't have a spotless driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. While some companies try to steer clear of these “high-risk” individuals, other insurance companies offer non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) to provide financial protection for these drivers.

At Direct Auto, we're proud to offer non-standard coverage to Kentucky drivers. We believe your driving history shouldn't define you forever, and we work hard to help you get quality, affordable coverage, regardless of your past.

Find the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in Kentucky

Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:

The amount & type of coverage you choose
The year, make, and model of the vehicle you drive
How much you drive, where you drive, and where you live
Your demographics
Your driving record
Your credit history

The good news is that companies like Direct Auto Insurance can provide Kentucky drivers with non-standard auto insurance, meaning you can find an affordable rate that fits your budget even if you're considered a high-risk driver.

Start by getting a free Kentucky car insurance quote, then work with a Direct Auto representative to create a coverage plan that fulfills your state's insurance requirements and your own needs. Well work hard to make sure you get all the car insurance discounts you're entitled to receive so your premium is the lowest price possible.

Kentucky Regional Auto Insurance

Depending on where you live, you might have specific wishes or “must-haves” in mind for a car insurance policy. After all, some people encounter busy traffic where they live while others drive on quiet streets with far fewer accidents. But no matter what city you call home in the Bluegrass State, were here to help you get covered.

Bowling Green Auto Insurance

Covington Auto Insurance

Lexington Auto Insurance

Louisville Auto Insurance

Owensboro Auto Insurance

Other Kentucky Auto Insurance Resources

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Kentucky with Direct Auto!

Call or request a quote to get a Kentucky car insurance quote from Direct Auto! We always offer affordable coverage options, and we work hard to get you the cheapest car insurance in Kentucky so you can keep driving to new adventures.

* Roadside Assistance is not insurance and are administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.

** The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc

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