Here's what you need to know when driving in Kentucky
Across the Bluegrass State, there are 163,988 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap car insurance in Kentucky
What's the cheapest car insurance in Kentucky?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky Farm Bureau | $1,158 |
| 2 | USAA | $1,456 |
| 3 | Westfield | $1,482 |
| 4 | Travelers | $1,647 |
| 5 | State Farm | $1,665 |
| 6 | Cincinnati Insurance | $1,818 |
| 7 | Motorists Mutual | $1,848 |
| 8 | GEICO | $2,096 |
| 9 | Grange Mutual | $2,293 |
| 10 | Electric | $2,321 |
| 11 | Nationwide | $2,559 |
| 12 | State Auto | $2,698 |
| 13 | Progressive | $3,002 |
| 14 | Safe Auto | $3,080 |
| 15 | SAFECO | $3,081 |
| 16 | Shelter | $3,527 |
| 17 | Allstate | $3,958 |
| 18 | Metropolitan | $4,431 |
| 19 | Encompass | $9,553 |
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Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Kentucky
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Kentucky drivers without a recent moving violation typically save 16% on their car insurance premiums, near the national average of 17%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $406 | 16.45% |
| No Accidents | $1,104 | 34.88% |
| Good Credit | $2,498 | 54.80% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Kentucky
Young drivers — aged between 16 and 25 — pay very high car insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teen drivers pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Kentucky, the average teen driver pays $7,626 — a full $2,700 per year more than the nationwide average and approximately three times more than the average for Kentucky drivers of all ages.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $7,217 | $12,054 |
| 17 | $6,898 | $9,316 |
| 18 | $6,949 | $7,720 |
| 19 | $5,976 | $4,878 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Kentucky
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably pay less for car insurance. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your rates to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 34% after a DUI, 34% after an at-fault accident, and 16% after a speeding ticket in Kentucky. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in the Bluegrass State roughly align with national averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $3,164 | 34.88% |
| DUI | $3,134 | 34.26% |
| Speeding Violation | $2,466 | 16.45% |
| Bad Credit | $4,558 | 54.80% |
What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Kentucky?
Every car insurance company advertises its low rates. But as with any product, the cheapest auto insurance policy isn't always the best option. Considering what's at stake, it's worthwhile to do the due diligence to acquire an insurance policy that covers your vehicle adequately after an incident. Hunt for a great value, instead of settling for the most affordable auto insurance you can find.
Compare local and national auto insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction levels to better predict the level of service you'll receive. Claims satisfaction — assigned by J.D. Power — is rated on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and varying from "Poor" to "Superior" — assesses an insurer's financial stability and ability to meet its contractual and policy obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Auto-Owners | 5 | Superior |
| Cincinnati Insurance | Not Rated | Superior |
| Electric | Not Rated | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Kentucky Farm Bureau | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Motorists Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Shelter | Not Rated | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
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What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Kentucky?
The minimum insurance requirement in Kentucky is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $10,000 Property Damage per accident.
For the minimum required coverage in Kentucky, expect to pay an average of $1,062 each year. This is more expensive than the U.S. average by 61%. If you want higher-level car insurance coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages incurred by vehicular crashes, theft, or weather conditions. Better car insurance comes with a price: in Kentucky, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,884, 77% more than liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay 94% more than for basic liability-only coverage.
Compare average prices for basic, better, and best coverage options below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Kentucky | $1,061.98 | $1,883.76 | $2,065.35 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car Insurance Laws
State minimum insurance requirements in Kentucky
In Kentucky, drivers are required to maintain at least the state minimum liability insurance and personal injury protection levels:
Liability
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- $10,000 per person
Optional coverage in Kentucky (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
- Additional Personal Injury Protection
- Guest Personal Injury Protection
Kentucky is a no-fault insurance state
Kentucky's no-fault insurance laws mandate that drivers carry their own protection. When an accident happens, no matter who is at fault, your own insurance foots the bill. Each driver takes care of their own costs. As a bonus, no-fault insurance laws guarantee every driver receives immediate medical treatment in the event of an accident.
Kentucky Car Insurance FAQs
Is Kentucky a no-fault car insurance state?
Yes — Kentucky is a no-fault state. In the event of an accident in which someone is injured, the injured party would be responsible for their own medical bills.
How much is liability insurance for a car in Kentucky?
Kentucky is an expensive state for car insurance. For liability-only coverage, the average premium in Kentucky is $1,062 annually. This is $404 more than the national average for the same coverage. Consider, however, this is an average car insurance quote. In order to get a more accurate price for liability insurance in Kentucky, you would need to get a personalized quote.
Does Kentucky accept electronic car insurance cards?
Yes. If your current provider offers an electronic ID card, the state of Kentucky will accept it.
How much does car insurance cost in Kentucky cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and the most expensive in Louisville, Kentucky.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $2,523 |
| 2 | Jeffersontown | $1,928 |
| 3 | Radcliff | $1,817 |
| 4 | Madisonville | $1,807 |
| 5 | Ashland | $1,804 |
| 6 | Elizabethtown | $1,785 |
| 7 | Murray | $1,779 |
| 8 | Henderson | $1,769 |
| 9 | Danville | $1,748 |
| 10 | Frankfort | $1,743 |
| 11 | Winchester | $1,736 |
| 12 | Georgetown | $1,730 |
| 13 | Hopkinsville | $1,704 |
| 14 | Nicholasville | $1,703 |
| 15 | Covington | $1,693 |
| 16 | Lexington | $1,689 |
| 17 | Richmond | $1,679 |
| 18 | Florence | $1,655 |
| 19 | Independence | $1,649 |
| 20 | Bowling Green | $1,645 |
| 21 | Owensboro | $1,596 |
| 22 | Fort Thomas | $1,581 |
Recent Kentucky Car Insurance Questions and Answers
How do I get my ex-husband's accidents dropped from my policy?
Sorry to hear that this is following you. Unfortunately, some companies won't work around it if these claims show on your prior plans.
Is my 18-year-old son covered on my car insurance if he still lives with me?
If your son is living in your home, he needs to be listed on the policy as either a driver or an excluded driver. An excluded driver means they are not covered to drive the car at all.
How many years do insurance companies check for Kentucky?
It depends on the company. Most companies go back five years for at-fault accidents, but some only go back 3 years.
What's max amount of cars allowed on state farm insurance policy?
To get an exact answer you would want to contact State Farm directly. Most companies will allow four cars on a policy.
Driving Laws
Kentucky Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on all cell phones for school bus drivers and drivers <18 years
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
Kentucky DUI Laws
Kentucky’s lookback period was recently increased to ten years. Multiple DUI offenses within this timeframe lead to stricter penalties.
Additionally, a DUI is considered “aggravated” and penalties are enhanced when:
- Children under 12 years old are passengers driven by someone who is DUI
- A car is driving more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit
- A car is driven in the wrong direction
- The driver’s BAC reads 0.15% or higher
- Serious injury or death results from DUI
First-time DUI offenses in Kentucky lead to:
- Two to 30 days in jail
- $200 to $500 in fines
- A license suspension for 30 to 120 days
- 90 days of attendance in an alcohol or substance abuse program
What Counts as Speeding in Kentucky?
While individual cities or areas can adapt their own speeding laws, these Kentucky speed limits typically hold true:
- 70 miles per hour on certain interstate highways and parkways
- 65 mph on interstate highways and divided highways with four or more lanes
- 55 mph on all other state highways
- 35 mph in business or residential areas
- 15 mph on off-street parking facilities
How Does Kentucky Define Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving in Kentucky can encompass a variety of inappropriate driving behaviors. Kentucky asks for drivers to operate their vehicle with “regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles upon the highway.”
What Constitutes Distracted Driving in Kentucky?
Potential distracted driving errors in Kentucky include:
- Visual: Taking your eyes off the road in front of you
- Manual: Any action that takes your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: Taking your mind off the road
Racing in Kentucky: Definition and Details
Kentucky law explicitly states a strict prohibition of “motor vehicle racing, drag racing, or any other form of competition involving motor vehicles."
Penalties for racing in Kentucky:
- A fine of at least $60 and up to $200
- Imprisonment for up to 30 days
- You could face a hearing and possible suspension of your license for up to 90 days.
At-Fault Accidents in Kentucky
Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” state. Typically with no-fault car insurance, each driver goes through their own policy to be compensated after an accident regardless of who is at fault, but Kentucky’s “choice no-fault” policy allows drivers to opt out of the no-fault car insurance system. This allows you to sue (or be sued) for damages after an accident.
How Do Citations Impact Auto Insurance Rates in Kentucky?
If you receive a ticket or citation, your auto insurance rates will probably go up. How much your rates rise depends on the severity of the violation, your insurer's pricing standards, and local insurance regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
See below average auto insurance rates in Kentucky after a few common citations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,951 | 55% | $1,053 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,840 | 50% | $942 |
| DUI | $2,840 | 50% | $942 |
| Racing | $2,868 | 51% | $969 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,868 | 51% | $969 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,692 | 42% | $794 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,940 | 55% | $1,042 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $2,228 | 17% | $330 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $2,335 | 23% | $436 |
| Passing a School Bus | $2,285 | 20% | $386 |
| Improper Passing | $2,300 | 21% | $402 |
| Following Too Closely | $2,300 | 21% | $402 |
| Speeding | $2,315 | 22% | $416 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $2,300 | 21% | $402 |
| Illegal Turn | $2,300 | 21% | $402 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $2,249 | 18% | $350 |
| Failure to Yield | $2,300 | 21% | $402 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $2,249 | 18% | $351 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $2,249 | 18% | $351 |
| Distracted Driving | $2,249 | 18% | $350 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $2,078 | 9% | $179 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $2,078 | 9% | $179 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $2,096 | 10% | $197 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,975 | 4% | $77 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,947 | 3% | $48 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,947 | 3% | $48 |
Kentucky Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Kentucky area, while also getting an insider view of the Bluegrass State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.