Car insurance requirements and regulations in Kansas
Car insurance quotes for Kansas should be able to meet the following three types of insurance coverage requirements or financial responsibility at a minimum:
Liability Coverage
25/50/10– This is shorthand for the liability policy limits required which means you need a minimum coverage of:
- $25,000 for death or injury to one person;
- $50,000 for death or injury to two or more people.; and
- $10,000 for property damage to others
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
- $4,500/person for medical expenses
- $900/month for one year for disability/loss of income
- $25/day for in-home services
- $2,000 for funeral, burial or cremation expense
- $4,500 for rehabilitation expense
Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage
- $25,000 for death or injury to one person and $50,000 for death or injury to two or more people in one accident
Nearly all car insurance policies have a provision that will adjust your coverage from the minimums required in your state to the minimum insurance or proof of financial responsibility in another U.S. state. So you do not need to get a new insurance policy for each state you are driving through. However, if you buy a policy in a low limits state (like Kansas or Iowa) but live in a high limits state (like Alaska), insurers will only write a policy where your car is principally garaged. So if your home is in Alaska, you should buy the minimum limits for Alaska.
Kansas’ required insurance limits are low, considering the cost of repair and damages likely to occur in an accident. You should consider both bodily injury coverage and uninsured/underinsured coverage to be fully protected in the event of an accident. If you are in a serious collision and the damages you caused are greater than the coverage limits you purchased, you may be personally liable to pay for those damages that exceed your insurance coverage. Although Kansas is a no fault state, you can be sued for severe or permanent injuries exceeding with medical costs exceeding $2,000.00.
Kansas Auto Insurance Requirements
Although Kansas is a no-fault state, Kansas is a modified comparative fault state with a less than 50% rule. This is a legal defense that means that a plaintiff can recover for an injury, reducing the amount that the plaintiff can recover based on the percentage of which the plaintiff is at fault if it is determined that his or her fault in causing the injury is less than 50%. If the plaintiff’s fault level reaches 50% or more, he or she cannot recover any damages resulting from the accident. However, because Kansas is a no-fault state, you ability to recover may be limited unless your medical expense exceed $2000 or you suffered a severe or permanent injury.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Kansas
In Kansas, a first time offense of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a misdemeanor offense. If you are 21 years or older, if you have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of .08% or higher while driving, Kansas law presumes you are driving under the influence. If you are under 21, a lower BAC may apply to you. If your BAC is .15 or higher, you could face harsher penalties than those listed below.
The 1st DUI
You will be sentenced to a minimum of 48 hours up a maximum of 6 months plus a mandatory court ordered alcohol and drug education or treatment program. Fines can vary from $750.00 to $1000.00 plus court fees. Your license will be suspended for 30 days, and the restricted for 330 days, with the required use of an ignition interlock device while your license is restricted. Your car may be impounded for as long as a year. A SR-22 is required for restoration of license after suspension.
The 2nd DUI
You will be sentenced to a minimum of 5 days up to a maximum of 1 year plus a mandatory court ordered alcohol and drug education or treatment program. Fines can vary from $1250.00 to $1750.00 plus court fees. Your license will be suspended for 1 year, and the restricted for 1 year after suspension, with the required use of an ignition interlock device while your license is restricted. Your car may be impounded for as long as a year. A SR-22 is required for restoration of license after suspension.
Top Ten Car Insurance Companies in Kansas
These are the top ten car insurance companies in Kansas as ranked by market share in the state:
1. State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company
2. American Family Mutual Insurance Company
3. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company
4. Farmers Insurance Company Inc
5. Progressive Northern Insurance Company
6. Shelter Mutual Insurance Company
7. Safeco Insurance Company of America
8. Travelers Home & Marine Insurance Company
9. United Services Auto Association
10. Nationwide Affinity Company of America
