If you commit a driving violation, your auto insurance rates may go up. Discover how to save.
If you caused a crash, filed an insurance claim, or received a citation for a major violation, you could be a good candidate for high-risk auto insurance. Car insurance for high-risk drivers is usually expensive, but the degree of price increase you face depends on your company, your driving record, and the location in which you reside.
If you're found responsible for an auto collision, you can expect your car insurance rates to go up. In Kansas, the mean insurance rate following an at-fault crash is $1,873, compared to the nationwide mean of $2,012. A major incident such as an at-fault collision will remain on your insurance record for as long as three years!
| Location | With At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | No At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | Yearly Rate Increase |
| Kansas | $1,873 | $1,427 | $446 |
| National Average | $2,012 | $1,397 | $615 |
The best insurance company following an at-fault crash in Kansas is American Family. American Family’s typical premium increase after a crash is $665, leading to a premium 36 percent less expensive than the average among all car insurance companies. If you've been at-fault in a collision in Kansas, avoid Farmers and Allstate, which are on the pricier end of the spectrum.
| Insurance Company | Annual Rate With an At-Fault Collision |
| American Family | $1,208 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,512 |
| Nationwide | $1,954 |
| Farmers | $2,093 |
| Allstate | $2,105 |
One of the ways in which drivers earn the "high-risk" tag is speeding. In Kansas, you can expect to see your rates rise by $274 per year after a speeding ticket, to an average per-year price of $1,701.
| State | With a Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | No Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | Yearly Rate Increase |
| Kansas | $1,701 | $1,427 | $274 |
| National Average | $1,727 | $1,397 | $330 |
The foolproof way to find cheap insurance after a speeding ticket is to shop thoroughly and weigh the options. The cheapest auto insurance with a speeding ticket in Kansas is available via USAA. USAA’s average rate after a citation is $830 less than the state typical. If you have been ticketed for speeding in Kansas, State Farm might not be the most affordable option.
| Insurance Company | Annual Premium After a Speeding Violation |
| USAA | $871 |
| American Family | $1,048 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,132 |
| Nationwide | $1,322 |
| State Farm | $1,635 |
If you are found guilty of distracted driving, expect your car insurance to get more expensive. In Kansas, auto insurance rates typically increase by $80 per year. That's a 6% increase from the average annual premium in Kansas, and 54% less than the national average cost of car insurance with a distracted driving offense.
| Location | With Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | No Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Kansas | $1,507 | $1,427 | $80 |
| National Average | $1,570 | $1,397 | $173 |
The best way to get affordable car insurance in the wake of a distracted driving ticket is to compare policies from different carriers. The least expensive insurer after being ticketed for distracted driving in Kansas is USAA, with an average rate of only $871 per year, 42% less than the average distracted driving insurance premium among top insurers.
| Insurer | Annual Rate After Distracted Driving |
| USAA | $871 |
| Nationwide | $1,039 |
| American Family | $1,048 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,248 |
| State Farm | $1,416 |
Racing is considered an extremely serious offense. Car insurance companies usually penalize racing convictions severely — in fact, Kansas auto insurance premiums go up by $476 annually after a ticket for racing. That is a 33% increase from the usual yearly auto insurance premium in Kansas!
| Location | With a Racing Citation — Annual Rate | No Racing Citation — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Kansas | $1,903 | $1,427 | $476 |
| National Average | $2,397 | $1,397 | $1,000 |
If you have been cited for racing, do your due diligence and find the most affordable rates. In Kansas, grab a quote from American Family, with premiums 45 percent less than the state average after a racing citation.
| Insurer | Annual Rate After Racing |
| American Family | $1,048 |
| USAA | $1,075 |
| State Farm | $1,635 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,714 |
| Nationwide | $2,016 |
Among the most serious moving violations, reckless driving is a surefire way to pay more for car insurance. Auto insurance companies increase rates by $466 each year after reckless driving. That amounts to 33% higher than the typical car insurance rate in Kansas, and 54% less than the national average price increase for a reckless driving violation.
| Location | With Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | No Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Kansas | $1,893 | $1,427 | $466 |
| National Average | $2,395 | $1,397 | $998 |
If you're ticketed for reckless driving, you should shop around to find the cheapest price. In Kansas, the most affordable insurance company with a reckless driving ticket is American Family.
| Insurer | Annual Rate After Reckless Driving |
| American Family | $1,048 |
| USAA | $1,075 |
| State Farm | $1,635 |
| Farm Bureau | $1,714 |
| Nationwide | $2,016 |
If you are seeking auto insurance as a high-risk driver, the best option is to do your research and find the policy that fits.
If you’re a driver in Kansas, there are certain things that you need to know, like how fast you can go on interstate highways or the consequences of driving without the proper insurance coverage. By equipping yourself with this knowledge, you can help keep yourself and others safe and potentially avoid nasty penalties that come from finding yourself on the wrong side of the law.
Because of its vast, expansive plains, it’s easy for drivers in Kansas to occasionally find their speedometers creeping past the legal limit. Speeding laws in Kansas are put in place in order to keep road conditions safe for drivers and pedestrians alike. The state of Kansas asks that drivers not exceed a speed that is “reasonable and prudent” for the conditions present.
In general, you are speeding in Kansas if you are going over these basic limits:
It’s important to remember that local authorities can adopt these laws as they see fit, so make sure that you are aware of the speed limits in the area in which you’re driving.
The basic fine for a speed violation is $60. However, that is just a starting point. Fines are added to that basic fee depending on how far over the limit the driver goes. On top of the initial $60 fine, you can expect the following penalties:
Also, the fines for speeding in a school or construction zone are doubled. Furthermore, if caught speeding in Kansas, you can also have your driver’s license revoked if you meet the following criteria:
Reckless driving in Kansas is defined as driving with “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” It can encompass many different types of behavior and is considered a misdemeanor.
It is also important to note that, unlike some states, if you are convicted of a DUI in Kansas you are not allowed to plead down to the lower charge of reckless driving. Kansas DUI laws make it mandatory for you to face the full charge of driving under the influence.
The consequences of Kansas reckless driving can be pretty harsh, and grow in severity with subsequent offenses. With any reckless driving conviction, there’s a chance that your license could be suspended. Other penalties are listed below.
Distracted driving in Kansas can take many forms. For those behind the wheel, it can be something as simple as changing the radio station or, in many cases, texting from a mobile device. Generally, distracted driving is considered to be any activity that takes your mind away from the act of driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines three types of distraction that many drivers face. They include:
Kansas distracted driving laws are not so robust that speaking to fellow passengers is illegal, but they do forbid certain activities while driving. All drivers, for instance, are prohibited from texting while driving. Furthermore, drivers between the ages of 14 and 17 are prohibited from even speaking on a mobile device while behind the wheel.
The penalty for texting and driving in Kansas carries is a $60 fine. However, depending on the circumstances, your distracted driving charge could be elevated to reckless driving if the situation warrants it. In the event that distracted driving causes another person’s death, drivers could even face a charge of vehicular homicide.
The law is pretty clear when it comes to racing in Kansas. The state says that drivers are not to participate in a race, which can also be defined as the following:
Even with all those flat, open spaces, Kansas racing laws are quite strict. These laws are put in place to protect both motorists and pedestrians, and the consequences for breaking them can be harsh. The penalties for racing in Kansas increase with subsequent violations and can be broken down as follows:
If you are wondering how at-fault accidents in Kansas are handled, you should know that the state’s laws are slightly different than most. Kansas is one of about a dozen states that uses what is known as “no-fault” car insurance. This means that your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays your medical bills and specific out-of-pocket expenses regardless of who is at fault.
Kansas requires that all drivers carry mandatory no-fault personal injury protection with these minimums:
Benefits available to anyone making a no-fault/PIP claim include:
This coverage does cover many expenses, but it does not compensate you for “pain and suffering” or for other non-monetary damages that occur due to the accident. This coverage pertains specifically to economic losses and medical expenses. Vehicle damages can still be the responsibility of the at-fault driver.
While PIP coverage takes care of injuries no matter who is at fault, it doesn’t mean that you are free and clear if you are responsible for the accident. If you caused the accident and the injured driver (or their passengers) suffers losses that exceed the limits of your policy, you can be held personally responsible for making up the difference. Essentially, you can still be sued for damages.
If you were responsible for the accident, the injured party can step outside of the no-fault system if they exceed their PIP coverage for medical expenses or if their injuries qualify as serious. The state of Kansas defines “serious injuries” as one of the following:
Having the right coverage can help you avoid out-of-pocket expenses, but what happens if you drive without any insurance coverage at all? Any driver in Kansas must maintain proof of insurance. Should you be caught driving without insurance in Kansas, you can expect a harsh penalty. The consequences of not adhering to this rule include:
Three such convictions within a five-year period will lead to the revocation of your license for a period of three years.
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