Kentucky Auto Insurance
Consumers buying Kentucky auto insurance have a number of choices they need to make. Not only do they need to make decisions about whether to carry more than the minimum level of coverage mandated by state law, but they also need to decide whether they want to have the right to sue for damages sustained in an accident.
Auto insurance in KY is run under a system called the "Choice No-Fault system." This means that drivers in Kentucky can either retain their right to sue or buy auto insurance under the understanding that they are covered under a no-fault system.
Kentucky Auto Insurance: No-Fault Coverage
Under a no-fault auto insurance plan in Kentucky, when a person is injured in an accident, they look to their own insurance company to pay their medical expenses. They don't have the right to sue the other driver unless their expenses are above an amount set by the state. Generally speaking, the injuries sustained in the accident would need to be severe and have permanent effects on your life before you would have reached this threshold.
If you decide to buy your insurance under the no-fault system and are involved in an accident, your premium rates are likely to go up. Even being involved in a minor collision may result in your rates changing, since the police will determine who was at fault.
The person who got a ticket as a result of the accident will probably be considered at fault in the insurance company's opinion. The company may agree to drop rates after a certain amount of time has passed following the accident but it will likely be at least a couple of years before that will happen.
Kentucky Auto Insurance: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage is mandatory in Kentucky. This type of coverage pays for the following after an accident:
- Medical Expenses
- Compensation for Lost Wages
- Funeral/Burial Expenses
Under Kentucky law, you are required to have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage on your vehicle. If you already have good health insurance benefits, this may be enough coverage to meet your needs. However, you do need to keep in mind that you can always add additional coverage, if desired.
Consider what would happen if you were injured in an accident and were unable to work for several months. Even if you had medical insurance to cover your expenses, how much would you need to pay your bills during that time? Your insurance agent can help you do the calculations to find the right level of PIP coverage for your personal situation.
Kentucky Auto Insurance: Liability Insurance Coverage
Liability insurance is mandatory in Kentucky. This type of insurance pays for medical expenses and damage to property in an accident where you are at fault. Each state sets the minimum level of coverage required for liability insurance, and Kentucky is no exception.
In Kentucky, drivers must have:
- $25,000 in liability insurance for one person injured in an accident.
- $50,000 for the expenses of all injured people stemming from the same accident.
- Kentucky residents must also arrange for at least $10,000 in coverage to pay for property damage. Property includes the other driver's vehicle, as well as stationary objects like a fence, mailbox, shed, or garage.
You’ll frequently see this listed as 25/50/10 to indicate the above coverage amounts.
Kentucky Car Insurance: Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive insurance is not mandatory in Kentucky, but it is a good idea to have this type of protection in place. It will pay benefits if your car is damaged as the result of:
- Fire
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Falling objects
- Hail or wind
- Hitting an animal
Most policies do not cover loss of personal property in your vehicle, so do ask your insurance company or agent to clarify exactly what perils you are insured against. Damage to tires will not be included under your collision coverage, and this type of policy does not cover mechanical breakdown unless the cause can be connected to one of the perils specifically covered under your policy.
Kentucky Auto Insurance Companies
Some of the best Kentucky car insurance companies include:
- All State
- State Farm
- GEICO
- AIG
- Esurance
- Farmers
- Unitrin Direct
- Progressive Direct
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