Kansas is located in the country’s heartland, and while the Sunflower State’s car insurance rates are below the national average, Kansas car insurance requirements are at or above the norm. To drive legally in Kansas you must carry at least 25/50/25 liability coverage, as well as personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage.
Here’s what you should know about the car insurance requirements you need to meet to drive legally in Kansas, as well as optional policies you may consider to enhance your coverage.
Kansas car insurance requirements
Kansas requires every policy sold in the state to meet minimum coverage requirements. Auto insurance policies in the state must include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage.1
In addition, your insurance coverage must include personal injury protection (including coverage for medical expenses, disability, funeral expenses, and rehabilitation costs). You must also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage protects the drivers and passengers of other motor vehicles in an accident you cause. Liability coverage typically pays for medical expenses and property damage if you’re found at fault in an accident.
In Kansas, you must carry 25/50/25 coverage. This equates to:
$25,000 per person for bodily injury
$50,000 per accident for bodily injury
$25,000 per accident for property damage
This coverage only protects other parties. If you need additional protection for yourself and your vehicle, consider full-coverage insurance.
Personal injury protection coverage
Personal injury protection (PIP) protects you and your passengers if you’re injured in an accident. PIP coverage pays for medical and non-medical expenses, no matter who’s at fault in an accident. Kansas law requires the following minimums for personal injury protection:
$4,500 per year for medical expenses
$900 per month for one year of disability or income loss
$25 per day for in-home services
$2,000 for burial or cremation expenses
$4,500 for rehabilitation services
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for your bodily injury if you’re in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your expenses or any auto insurance.
Kansas drivers must carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.
Kansas Automobile Insurance Plan
Do you need more than state-minimum coverage in Kansas?
Coverage needs depend on each driver. Although Kansas has a minimum coverage amount, a liability policy only pays for damages to the other parties and their personal property. Kansas drivers are also required to carry PIP. While PIP does offer some personal protection against injury, the amounts may not be sufficient in all situations.
Full-coverage policies offer additional protection, including coverage for your vehicle. Full coverage is more expensive than liability insurance policies but offers more protection.
The cost of liability-only car insurance in Kansas
The average rate for liability coverage in Kansas is $77 per month. The table below shows the average rates offered by different insurers in Kansas.
The cost of full-coverage car insurance in Kansas
You can expect to pay an average of $147 per month for full coverage in Kansas. Full coverage provides financial protection for your vehicle and your passengers in an auto accident. Full coverage also pays to cover damages to the other driver if the policyholder is found at fault in the accident.
Here, you can see the average rate for a full-coverage policy from insurers across Kansas.
Penalties for driving without proof of insurance in Kansas
If you’re caught driving without proof of insurance in Kansas, you could be subject to the following penalties:
Fines: You could face a fine between $300 and $1,000 for a first offense. Fines increase up to $2,500 on further offenses.
Imprisonment: You could face up to six months in jail or a combination of jail and fines. A third offense results in a mandatory 90 days in jail.
License suspension: This suspension remains in place until you file proof of insurance with the state. On a third offense, you’ll lose your driving privileges for three years.
Reinstatement fees: To reinstate your license, you’ll need to pay a $100 fee and file an SR-22. Fees for a second and third offense could be up to $300.3
Optional car insurance coverages to consider
If you’d like to expand your car insurance beyond the minimum requirements, you may consider any of these optional coverages:
Kansas car insurance requirements FAQs
Car insurance is a necessary expense in your budget. While it can be expensive, the protection could save you even more money. If you have more questions about car insurance in Kansas, here are some helpful answers.
Does Kansas require car insurance?
Yes. Kansas drivers must carry liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages. Drivers are required to have a minimum of 25/50/25 in liability. Drivers who don’t have at least the minimum coverage could face fines, jail time, and the loss of driving privileges.
How does car insurance work in Kansas?
Kansas is a no-fault state, which means insurance companies must pay for their own policyholders’ injuries. Car insurance rates in no-fault states are typically higher because of this. Kansas also requires insurance companies to offer discount programs for drivers who take a safe driving course, and drivers should be able to produce proof of coverage if asked.
Do you need car insurance to register a car in Kansas?
Yes. Without proof of insurance, drivers can’t register their vehicle in Kansas. Further, if the DMV discovers that a vehicle isn’t covered, it can suspend the driver’s license and registration until they provide proof of coverage. Motorized bicyclists aren’t required to provide proof of insurance.
How long can you drive without insurance after buying a car in Kansas?
Drivers are required to have insurance at all times in Kansas. When you register a new vehicle in the state, you must have proof of coverage. Since Kansas doesn’t have a grace period to cover lapses in coverage, you should get auto insurance as quickly as possible after purchasing a new vehicle.
Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Kansas?
In most cases, car insurance follows the vehicle. Some policies may follow the driver (like liability, which protects the driver even if they’re driving another vehicle), while others, like comprehensive and collision, follow the car. The language of your policy can help you determine if your policy covers a driver not listed on your policy.