Best car insurance in Kentucky (2024)

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Jessica OlivoFreelance contributorJessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

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Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

Updated|3 min read

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The average cost of car insurance in Kentucky is $2,181 per year. That's far more than average and, in fact, it makes Kentucky one of the most expensive states for car insurance in the country.

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That’s why it’s all the more important for drivers in Kentucky to shop around and compare rates before buying a car insurance policy. Policygenius makes it easy to see what you’d pay for coverage from top companies, so you can choose the policy that’s right for you.

Key takeaways

  • GEICO has the lowest average rates in Kentucky at $1,166 per year

  • GEICO also has the cheapest rates in Kentucky for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record

  • Kentucky requires drivers to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, as well as $25,000 in property damage liability

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Kentucky

Car insurance rates are determined based on details like your age, location, driving history, credit score and even the kind of car you drive. Since every insurer has its own formula for calculating your rates, getting multiple quotes is the best way to find the cheapest premiums.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

GEICO

$1,166

874

USAA

$1,483

890

Travelers

$1,552

854

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,567

865

Progressive

$1,633

861

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Kentucky

Because of their inexperience behind the wheel, teenage drivers are the most likely to have an accident, which is why they pay more for car insurance than any other age group. But rates generally fall as young drivers age and gain experience.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

16

GEICO

$3,477

18

GEICO

$3,273

21

GEICO

$1,998

25

GEICO

$1,355

30

GEICO

$1,158

35

GEICO

$1,149

45

GEICO

$1,191

55

GEICO

$1,086

60

GEICO

$1,091

65

GEICO

$1,115

70

GEICO

$1,216

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Kentucky

Full coverage insurance in Kentucky is already expensive, so finding the best policy at an affordable price is important. There’s no one right company for every driver, so the right company for you is the one that offers you the most protection at the lowest rates.

Policygenius can help you see options from top companies, so you can feel confident you’re getting the best deal on car insurance.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Kentucky

Any accidents or violations on your driving record will mean higher insurance rates, but some violations raise you rates more than others. If you know you have a spotty driving record, it’s even more important that you shop around and compare quotes before picking a policy.

Violation

GEICO

USAA

Travelers

Auto-Owners Insurance

Progressive

At-fault accident

$2,086

$2,405

$2,253

$2,132

$2,240

DUI

$2,941

$2,626

$2,484

$3,491

$2,117

Suspended license

$1,243

$2,477

$2,484

$3,491

$2,173

Open container

$1,243

$2,459

$2,138

$1,610

$2,117

Expired registration

$1,181

$2,029

$2,138

$1,589

$2,051

Driving without lights

$1,243

$2,029

$2,138

$1,610

$2,051

Running a red light

$1,243

$2,029

$2,138

$1,610

$2,051

Following too closely

$1,243

$2,029

$2,138

$1,610

$2,051

Hit and run

$2,941

$2,735

$2,484

$3,491

$2,173

Not-at-fault accident

$1,181

$1,574

$1,645

$1,589

$1,631

Passing a school bus

$1,243

$2,169

$2,484

$1,610

$2,051

Reckless driving

$2,312

$2,169

$2,484

$3,491

$2,173

Speeding

$2,312

$2,029

$2,484

$2,096

$2,004

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Kentucky

Kentucky drivers with a DUI or DWI will pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean driving history. The average annual cost for car insurance in Kentucky is among the highest in the nation at $2,181 per year, but drivers with a DUI can expect to pay even more, with an average of $4,359 per year, which is 99% higher than average.

But each company has its own system for setting your rates, which means some companies will charge less (sometimes much less) for drivers with a DUI. According to our research, the companies with the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI in Kentucky are Progressive, Travelers, and USAA.

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Progressive

$2,117

Travelers

$2,484

USAA

$2,626

GEICO

$2,941

Auto-Owners Insurance

$3,491

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Kentucky

Kentucky drivers with a speeding ticket or other moving violation may also see an increase in their rates. The average cost of insurance for a driver with a speeding ticket in Kentucky is $2,941 per year.

But drivers with a blemish or two on their record can still find lower car insurance rates by comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies. Our research shows the companies offering the lowest rates for drivers in Kentucky with a speeding ticket are Progressive, USAA, and Auto-Owners Insurance.

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Progressive

$2,004

USAA

$2,029

Auto-Owners Insurance

$2,096

GEICO

$2,312

Travelers

$2,484

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Kentucky

Your credit score is another factor insurance companies can use to determine your rates. Generally, a low credit score means you’ll pay more for car insurance, so if you have bad credit, it may take a little more effort to find a company that will offer you affordable rates.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$2,072

Progressive

$2,699

Cincinnati Insurance

$2,977

Grange Insurance

$3,072

Travelers

$3,210

Car insurance costs in Kentucky cities

Drivers in areas with high crime rates or more accidents and claims will pay more for car insurance, while drivers in areas with low rates of car theft and vandalism will see better rates. Here’s what drivers pay for coverage in the 10 biggest cities in Kentucky:

  • Louisville: $2,451

  • Lexington: $1,691

  • Bowling Green: $1,600

  • Owensboro: $1,515

  • Covington: $1,672

  • Richmond: $1,595

  • Georgetown: $1,632

  • Florence: $1,564

  • Hopkinsville: $1,794

  • Nicholasville: $1,645

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Buying car insurance in Kentucky

All drivers in Kentucky are required to have at least a minimum amount of car insurance, although there are some types of coverage that Kentucky drivers can decline if they refuse in writing.

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $25,000

  • Personal injury protection: $10,000 per accident, however PIP coverage can be rejected in writing

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional, but Kentucky specifies the insurer include UM/UMI at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident unless you expressly reject it in writing

However most drivers need more than the minimum amounts of coverage required by law in order to be fully protected. Too little coverage and you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars in repair costs and medical bills after an accident.

How to get cheap car insurance in Kentucky

Looking for car insurance can feel overwhelming, but there some simple tips for finding your most affordable coverage:

  • Ask about discounts. Most companies offer discounts for things like safe driving, paying your policy in full, going paperless, or earning good grades in school

  • Bundle policies. Get multiple policies from the same company and save on both

  • Shop around. Get quotes from multiple companies before you pick a policy to make sure you’re not missing out on cheaper coverage

  • Reshop yearly. Shop around for new coverage every time your policy is up for renewal in case options have changed

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Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance required in Kentucky?

Yes, Kentucky requires all drivers to have bodily injury and property damage liability coverage levels of at least 25/50/10, as well as personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Is Kentucky a no-fault state?

Kentucky is a no-fault state, which means drivers in a car accident are all responsible for their own medical costs. Drivers in Kentucky have the choice to reject no-fault coverage, but drivers who make that choice would have to cover those bills on their own or rely on their health insurance coverage.

Is car insurance high in Kentucky?

Yes, car insurance is expensive in Kentucky. In fact, we found that Kentucky is one of the five most expensive states in the country for car insurance.

How much does car insurance cost per month in Kentucky?

The average cost of car insurance in Kentucky is $182 per month, or $2,181 per year.

Authors

Jessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.

After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

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