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The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Kentucky is $2,198 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Kentucky will leave you with an average cost of $2,660 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Kentucky is $2,198 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Kentucky will leave you with an average cost of $2,660 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
Compare best car insurance quotes in Kentucky
The rates above show the average savings Jerry users found with various insurance companies—but your quotes might not look exactly the same! That’s because so many factors go into determining your rate. The quotes you get from various companies depend on everything from your age, vehicle, and ZIP code to your credit score, driving record, and coverage limits.
Let's see how it all plays out. Below are some real quotes that Jerry users in Kentucky found in the app.
| Quote Date | Car | Before Jerry | After Jerry | City | Name | Age | Carrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 30, 2023 | Ford Explorer | $240/mo. | $75/mo. | Independence | Cody P. | 22 | Progressive |
| January 25, 2023 | Toyota Corolla Base | $250/mo. | $211/mo. | Flatgap | Ray V. | 24 | Progressive |
| January 23, 2023 | Ford Escape XLT | $162/mo. | $129/mo. | Paducah | Logan M. | 24 | Progressive |
| January 14, 2023 | Chevrolet Sonic LT | $570/mo. | $493/mo. | Louisville | Lucile R. | 22 | Bristol West |
| January 12, 2023 | Chevrolet Equinox LT | $218/mo. | $103/mo. | Erlanger | Della A. | 43 | Allstate |
Best car insurance companies in Kentucky
Want to sign up for auto insurance coverage with the best car insurance company in Kentucky? You might be looking at quotes from State Farm, GEICO, Nationwide, USAA, or Progressive.
But those aren’t the only auto insurance companies with good rates for Kentucky drivers—in fact, you might find you pay even less for a policy from a regional company like Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance.
| Insurance Company | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairyland | $3,279 | $1,746 | |
| National General | $2,058 | $1,154 | |
| Clearcover | $2,784 | $974 | |
| Safeco | $2,781 | $956 | |
| Nationwide | $2,657 | $923 | |
| Progressive | $2,716 | $900 | |
| Allstate | $2,981 | $891 | |
| Kemper | $3,248 | $855 | |
| Travelers | $3,004 | $717 | |
| State Auto | $2,943 | $689 | |
| Compare Prices | |||
Kentucky car insurance FAQs
Is car insurance expensive in Kentucky?
Kentucky is pretty average in terms of car insurance costs. It has relatively safe roads that aren't too busy, so low accident rates mean cheaper premiums.
Is insurance cheaper once you are 25?
In general, young drivers pay more for car insurance, so it’s likely that your rates will drop when you turn 25. However, your rates depend on your driving record, zip code and many other factors in addition to your age, so it’s no guarantee!
What is Kentucky's minimum car insurance?
The required minimum coverages and limits to register and operate a vehicle in Kentucky are:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
- $10,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident
- $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per accident
Does KY have car tax?
Yes—the state of Kentucky has a flat sales tax of 6% on car sales. Kentucky does not charge any additional local or use tax.
How are cars taxed in Kentucky?
Kentucky’s Motor Vehicle Usage Tax is collected whenever a vehicle is transferred from one party to another—in other words, when you purchase a new or used vehicle from a dealership, or a used vehicle from a private owner.
Why does Kentucky car insurance cost so much?
Why are car insurance rates so high in the Bluegrass State? With Kentucky’s overall cost of living well below the national average, it might surprise you to know that the state’s average car insurance rates are much higher than in other states.
There are a few factors at play. First, Kentucky has a high number of DUI arrests each year, and there’s been a recent rise in auto theft rates across the state—all of which raises the risk associated with car insurance policies in Kentucky.
It’s also centrally located between major cities like St. Louis, Nashville, and Cincinnati. Interstate traffic brings tons of commuters and tourists through the state every day, raising car accident rates.
Finally, Kentucky is a no-fault state for car insurance, meaning that its minimum insurance requirements are higher than other states. This increases the average cost of a policy.
But buying car insurance in Kentucky doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive—there are also factors that bring costs down, like rural roads with low traffic and accident rates.
To see how Kentucky’s car insurance costs compare to other states, check out the graphs below.
Kentucky car insurance requirements
Kentucky drivers must carry $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 per accident in property damage liability, along with personal injury protection (PIP) coverage (a requirement in all no-fault states).
How much insurance do I need in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, the minimum insurance requirements are $25,000 of property liability per accident, $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, and $50,000 worth of bodily injury liability per accident. This is also known as the 25/50/25 rule. You’re also required to have personal injury protection coverage (PIP).
What do you need if you’re pulled over?
If you’re involved in a situation with the police or an accident, you are required to show your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. Thankfully, digital insurance ID cards are accepted by police and the DMV so you will always have your stored proof of insurance available 24/7 in the Jerry app.
Is Kentucky a no-fault state?
Yes, Kentucky is a no-fault state. This means you must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage which pays for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for the accident. However, fault, or liability, is still a factor for property damage and bodily injury claims.
Kentucky is one of three no-fault states where drivers can opt out of the standard no-fault policy by choosing full tort liability, meaning they can sue at-fault drivers for additional damages. Drivers who chose this option in Kentucky are waiving no-fault coverage in total.
Sticking to those minimum coverage limits will keep your costs low, but there’s a reason experts recommend adding collision and comprehensive coverage to any auto insurance policy. Liability insurance only pays for other drivers’ expenses, and PIP coverage only pays for medical expenses—not damages to your car.
Collision and comprehensive, on the other hand, will cover damage to your vehicle from a wide variety of events, from car crashes to vandalism and severe weather. This combination is so important that any policy that includes both is often called a full-coverage car insurance policy.
Best car insurance for drivers in Kentucky with violations
Remember how we said that DUI arrests are high in Kentucky? Along with those arrests come some of the highest rates on auto insurance coverage.
Even a minor violation like a speeding ticket can cause your insurance premium to spike, and a DUI could lead to an increase of 80% or more on your annual premium. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find savings. Here's what Jerry users with poor records pay.
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Record | $2,335 | $769 |
| Vehicle Theft | $2,499 | $1,389 |
| Suspension | $4,295 | $1,341 |
| Careless Driving | $3,154 | $1,262 |
| DUI | $2,863 | $1,137 |
| Leaving scene of an Accident/Hit and Run | $3,018 | $1,134 |
| Speeding under 15 | $2,641 | $887 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $2,514 | $819 |
| Passing School Bus | $2,652 | $806 |
| Speeding over 15 | $3,096 | $789 |
Insurance Cost With a DUI in Kentucky
If you get a DUI in Kentucky, you can expect your car insurance to increase by an average of $107 per month.
Read More
Insurance Cost With a Reckless Driving Citation in Kentucky
If you have a reckless driving citation, you should expect your insurance to increase to an average of $81.96 per month.
Read More
Cost to insure your car in Kentucky by age
Teen drivers pay some of the highest rates on auto insurance in Kentucky. Why? Lack of experience makes teenagers high-risk drivers in the eyes of insurance companies.
It’s not just teenagers, either. If you’re under 25 years old, you’re likely to pay more for insurance in Kentucky than older drivers. Taking a defensive driving course could help you to lower your monthly premium, but even safe drivers with a proven clean driving record may still see that their age has an impact on their rate.
How can young drivers save money on car insurance in Kentucky?
- Shop around for quotes to find the companies that are most sympathetic to young drivers
- Maintain a B average or better in school to qualify for a good student discount
- Practice safe driving habits or take a driver training course for discounts
- Shop around for quotes to find the companies that are most sympathetic to young drivers
- Maintain a B average or better in school to qualify for a good student discount
- Practice safe driving habits or take a driver training course for discounts
Kentucky auto insurance rates by city
On average, Kentucky’s auto insurance rates are higher than the national average, but your exact monthly premium depends in part on where you live.
Louisville car insurance costs are among the highest in the state. That’s because this booming city on the state line attracts a ton of traffic (not just around Derby time), leading to high accident rates. Lexington car insurance costs, on the other hand, are generally lower than the state average. While both cities are close together, Lexington’s smaller size and more central location mean a lower risk of accidents.
Here’s a more specific breakdown of insurance prices for Jerry across Kentucky:
| City | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $2,081 | $802 |
| Covington | $2,144 | $741 |
| Elizabethtown | $1,986 | $746 |
| Florence | $2,205 | $912 |
| Lexington | $2,089 | $746 |
| Louisville | $2,404 | $817 |
| Owensboro | $2,007 | $829 |
| Paducah | $2,156 | $869 |
| Radcliff | $2,284 | $963 |
| Richmond | $2,107 | $787 |
Least Expensive Cities in Kentucky
Conversely, Princeton, Flatwoods, and Dayton are the cheapest places to live in Kentucky—which means you can expect lower car insurance rates.
Cities with Highest Rates of Accidents in Kentucky
Bowling Green has the highest accident rates in Kentucky, with 10.46% of drivers having a prior at-fault accident on their record—and it’s no secret that high accident rates means high premiums.
Read More
Cities with the Longest Commute Times in Kentucky
Mount Washington, Independence, and Shelbyville have the highest commute times in Kentucky. Longer driving times and traffic put you at greater risk of an accident, and you’ll add miles to your car—all of which raise insurance prices.
Cost to insure your car in Kentucky
What you drive can also impact your car insurance rates. In general, you can expect more expensive premiums if you drive a more expensive vehicle.
But that’s not the only factor insurance companies look at. As an example, let’s take Kentucky’s favorite vehicle: the Ram 1500 pickup truck. Ram 1500 insurance costs are comparatively low, but you’ll see your premium climb if you opt for a truck with a V8 engine instead of the standard V6.
That’s not just due to the higher price—it’s also because insurance companies look at a V8 and see the potential for more aggressive, risky driving. They’ll increase your premium to account for the higher risk of a claim.
| Car | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion SE | $2,356 | $951 |
| Kia Optima LX | $2,399 | $940 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LT | $1,999 | $732 |
| Nissan Altima 2.5 | $2,213 | $706 |
| Honda Civic LX | $1,905 | $675 |
Most Popular Car in Kentucky
The most popular vehicle in Kentucky is the Ram 1500. The average Ram Pickup 1500 driver pays a hefty $1,743 a year in car insurance. Ram drivers should consider Jerry to cut down on car insurance costs.
Do you need more than the minimum car insurance in Kentucky?
Most states have minimum insurance requirements that you must meet to hit the road.
Unfortunately, Kentucky’s state minimum insurance may not be all the coverage you need. After all, liability coverage only pays for other drivers’ costs for at-fault accidents, and PIP only covers medical expenses.
Experts recommend going beyond the minimum requirements by buying more than the mandated liability limits and building out your auto insurance policy with additional coverage, including:
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
Below are some risk factors that affect Kentucky drivers and the additional coverage that could help you face them:
Kentucky ranks 23rd for traffic. Though traffic isn’t particularly bad in Kentucky, it’s not great, either—make sure to get collision insurance in case you’re in an accident.
At 31st place for property crime rates, Kentucky has similar motor vehicle theft to the national average. Get comprehensive insurance so your car is protected from vehicle theft and other mischiefs like vandalism.
13.9% of drivers in Kentucky are uninsured. If an uninsured driver causes an accident, you could end up in financial trouble. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will help pay if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have liability insurance.
Kentucky residents rank Kentucky’s roads 7.45/10. Though the roads are good, it’s a good idea to have roadside assistance for the occasional break-down. Roadside can help with towing, flat tires, and more.
How to save money on car insurance in Kentucky
Kentucky has higher-than-average car insurance premiums, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to save.
Compare car insurance quotes
Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies is the best way to save money on car insurance. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most time-consuming, so it's a good idea to work with a broker or use an insurance comparison app that can do the legwork for you.
Look for discounts
Just about every auto insurance company offers discounts to help customers save on coverage—but they don’t always advertise them. You may need to ask to have a discount applied to your policy; that’s why it’s so important to know which discounts you qualify for!
Here are some popular discounts in Kentucky:
Defensive Driving Discounts
Defensive Driving Discounts
State law mandates that insurance carriers offer a discount to drivers above the age of 50 who complete an approved defensive driving course.
Bundling Discounts
Bundling Discounts
Customers who bundle their car insurance policy with home or renters insurance can receive a discount for staying with the same company.
Low-Risk Discounts
Low-Risk Discounts
If you are classified as a “low-risk driver,” you’re sure to get discounted insurance rates anywhere you go. You can achieve this by maintaining a clean record, not making claims, and even with a telematics device or app to track your safe driving habits.
Marital-Status Discounts
Marital-Status Discounts
It’s statistically less likely for married couples to get in a car accident, so if you’re married, lots of carriers will offer you discounted premiums. Plus, you can share an insurance policy with your spouse, which will reduce premiums even more.
Increase your deductible
If you’ve got a full coverage policy, raising your deductible is another easy way to save on car insurance costs.
Your collision or comprehensive deductible is the amount you agree to pay on a claim before insurance kicks in. It’s often set at $500 or $1,000, but raising it to a higher amount could allow you to pay less per month.
But be careful: when you raise your deductible, you agree to pay that amount out of pocket in the event of a claim. Never choose a deductible that’s higher than what you could realistically pay at one time.
By R.E. Fulton
Updated on Jan 30, 2023
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content.
Compare best car insurance quotes in Kentucky
Best car insurance companies in Kentucky
Kentucky car insurance FAQs
Why does Kentucky car insurance cost so much?
Kentucky car insurance requirements
Best car insurance for drivers in Kentucky with violations
Cost to insure your car in Kentucky by age
Kentucky auto insurance rates by city
Cost to insure your car in Kentucky
Do you need more than the minimum car insurance in Kentucky?
How to save money on car insurance in Kentucky
Here are some popular discounts in Kentucky:
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