Car Insurance in Kentucky

Here's what you need to know when driving in Kentucky

The average car insurance rate in Kentucky is $1,879 per year — 23% more than the U.S. average. Car insurance rates are impacted by more than just your location. Auto insurance rates comprise many factors, including a driver's age and driving history. The Zebra's experts analyzed average Kentucky car insurance rates for these rating factors in an effort to help you find an affordable policy.

Read on to learn how much auto insurance costs in Kentucky based on these variables, or submit your ZIP code above to receive personalized quotes from top insurers.

The best car insurance companies in Kentucky

The cheapest car insurance companies in Kentucky

These companies offer the cheapest rates in the following scenarios.

Kentucky auto insurance laws

Car insurance is mandatory in almost every state, including Kentucky. If you choose the legal minimum coverage level in Kentucky, expect to pay an average of $662 annually. This expenditure is more expensive than the nationwide average by 23%. 

State minimum coverage

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

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 $1,718, 160% more than liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay around $2,017 annually.

It's worth noting that Kentucky is a no-fault 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 premiums by rating factor

Your rates are determined by a number of unique factors, including your coverage level, driving history, location, and more. Explore average premium costs by rating factor below to get a better sense of how much you should be paying for auto insurance in Kentucky.

Cheap auto insurance in Kentucky for minimum coverage

Getting the bare minimum coverage is a guaranteed way to save money, but it also leaves you and your vehicle at great risk. It's advisable to increase your coverage beyond your state's minimum requirements to stay fully protected. To get a sense of what companies charge for lower coverage levels, check out the table below.

Cheap auto insurance in Kentucky with bad credit

Your credit history plays a huge part in determining your car insurance rates. Drivers with a poor credit score are seen by most insurance carriers as being high risk, which leads to paying more for your policy. On average, Kentucky drivers with poor credit can expect to pay around $2,797 more per year than those with great credit. Have a look at some common rates by credit tier below.

Cheap auto insurance for young drivers in Kentucky

Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 pay much higher car insurance rates than average. Rates are particularly high for those aged 16 to 19. This is primarily due to the risk presented by their inexperience behind the wheel, meaning that teen drivers pay an average of more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Kentucky, teen drivers pay especially high rates: $6,081 per year — 224% more than the typical Kentucky driver.

Kentucky auto insurance rate by violation

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. In Kentucky, car insurance premiums typically increase by 99% after a DUI and 43% after an at-fault accident.

See below average auto insurance rates in Kentucky after a few common citations.

Kentucky DUI laws

In Kentucky, a DUI offense can increase your annual car insurance premium to an average of $5,111. Finding affordable auto insurance in the wake of a DUI violation isn’t simple. In fact, a DUI often brings about a bigger premium increase than any single road violation — more than an at-fault accident, racing, or reckless driving.

Low-cost car insurance after a DUI in Kentucky

If you're convicted of a DUI violation in Kentucky, it’s key to mull over each of your insurance choices carefully. Auto insurance premiums following a DUI can vary substantially by insurer. For example, the least expensive car insurance company with a DUI in Kentucky, State Farm has the cheapest average annual rates, a full 51% less than the statewide average insurance rate with a DUI. The second-cheapest insurer for auto insurance after a DUI in Kentucky is USAA, while the priciest company is Allstate, with prices just above the state average.

There is no car insurer in particular that offers inexpensive DUI car insurance. The recommended way to save in the wake of a DUI citation is to shop around.

Kentucky SR-22 insurance

Kentucky is one of the few states that does not require an SR-22 form for drivers convicted of a serious driving offense. In many states, it is required that such drivers file an SR-22 with the state's DMV to ensure that coverage is continued. While this is not required in the state of Kentucky, customers can still expect to see much higher insurance rates after being convicted of a serious driving offense.

Rates by city

Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, the location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and the most expensive in Saul, Kentucky.

Have a look at the table below to see average car insurance costs in some of Kentucky biggest cities.

Car insurance price trends in Kentucky

In Kentucky, average annual auto insurance costs increased by $86 in the past year. A typical Kentucky driver pays an average of $1,584 per year.

The recent pricing trend in Kentucky leans toward slightly cheaper car insurance costs. From 2018 to 2019, average annual rates in Kentucky dropped from $1,780 to $1,419. Since this significant drop, rates have increased moderately. At the same time, car insurance rates across the United States have stayed relatively steady in the past few years, moving from $1,521 in 2018 to $1,529 in 2021.

If your rates are rising faster than the average in your state, compare quotes and find a better deal. The Zebra's car insurance comparison engine furnishes quotes based on your specific profile — enter your ZIP below to get started.

Kentucky car insurance FAQs

Below you'll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Kentucky auto insurance.