Kentucky auto insurance
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Protecting yourself and your vehicle with Kentucky auto insurance
If you're a Kentucky resident, you enjoy all the benefits of a four-season climate. However, each time of year ushers in its own driving risks. A solid Kentucky auto insurance policy can cover you in the event of an accident at any time.
Warm weather in Kentucky brings severe thunderstorms, leading to low visibility and flash floods on roadways. High winds and hail in the spring and summer can cause significant vehicle damage. The cold-weather months occasionally bring Arctic air, increasing the chances of snowy and icy roads that make driving hazardous, especially when snowstorms hit quickly. Central Kentucky averages 10 inches of snow annually, so chances are you'll be driving on snowy roads every winter.
Car-deer accidents
Autumn is when deer are on the move in Kentucky. During the mating season, they leave their territories searching for a mate, crossing roadways more frequently. They also travel often during the night and early-dawn hours, making it likely that you will encounter one when visibility is low. Add to this the fact that deer often move in groups, increasing the possibility that you may avoid one deer only to find more in your path.
Kentucky ranks as the 18th-highest state for car-deer accidents, giving drivers 1 in 88 odds of having a collision with one. Car-deer accidents can cause significant damage to a vehicle.
There are seasonal driving risks year-round in the Bluegrass State. Getting Kentucky auto insurance quotes can help you decide on an auto insurance policy that covers you in the event of a weather or wildlife-related accident.
Average cost for Kentucky auto insurance
Kentucky is an expensive state for auto insurance, ranking in the top five most expensive states for auto insurance costs. Kentuckians pay slightly higher than the national average premium for auto insurance. The average cost for a year of full coverage in Kentucky is $2,125, compared to the national average of $2,015. Premiums for minimum coverage are also a little higher than the national average. Minimum coverage in Kentucky will cost about $680 compared to the national average of $625.
If you live and drive in Kentucky, you know how important it is to get the best deal possible on car insurance. VIU by HUB can assist you in getting Kentucky auto insurance quotes from multiple providers. This step can help you save money on your car insurance policy.
Factors that influence insurance premiums
Several factors go into the amount you pay for Kentucky auto insurance. Your costs can change depending on the following:
• Age.
• Gender.
• Credit score.
• Marital status.
• Driving violations.
Coverage for teenage drivers is typically more expensive than for older drivers, as they generally have less experience behind the wheel. And drivers of any age can see their insurance rates rise significantly if there are traffic violations on their record or they are at fault in a car accident. Drivers in these categories will pay hundreds of dollars more per year for auto insurance.
Minimum required coverage in Kentucky
Most states require drivers to carry insurance on their vehicles or face penalties. These laws protect motorists from the excessive medical and property expenses that car accidents can bring.
In Kentucky, drivers may not operate a vehicle until they have obtained an insurance policy. The penalties for driving without insurance may include the following:
• Revocation of vehicle registration.
• Fines between $500-$1,000.
• Up to 90 days in jail.
Drivers can avoid strict penalties by getting minimum-coverage Kentucky auto insurance. This coverage includes:
• $25,000 per person for bodily injury damages.
• $50,000 for bodily injury for all persons.
• $25,000 for all property damage.
Alternatively, a driver may opt for a policy with a single limit of $60,000.
Additional auto insurance coverage
While it's good to understand what is required for the minimum coverage, you should consider getting a policy that covers losses in multi-vehicle accidents or additional passengers in other vehicles. Getting multiple Kentucky auto insurance quotes through VIU by HUB can help you determine your costs for above-minimum policies.
Roadside Assistance
Some full-coverage packages include Roadside Assistance. This helps pay for things that can leave you stranded along the road, including lockout services, towing, battery jump-starts and flat-tire changes.
Rental Reimbursement
If you cannot drive your vehicle due to a covered loss, you may be reimbursed for a rental car with this optional coverage.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist
Unfortunately, not every driver follows the law and purchases insurance coverage before registering a vehicle. And some motorists may have policies that don't cover all losses in an accident. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage bridges the gap between covered and uncovered losses.
While state law does not require you to purchase these coverages, the law requires that every insurance company offer it to their auto insurance clients. This coverage pays for expenses when you are hit by an at-fault driver who either didn’t carry insurance (uninsured) or didn’t carry enough insurance to address all the medical bills or car repair costs (underinsured).
Getting around the Bluegrass State
Kentucky has a growing metropolitan population, and cities like Lexington and Louisville have robust public transportation systems. However, many of the roads throughout Kentucky are outside of city borders. Rural secondary roads comprise 46.8% of the primary road system in the state. So, chances are that if you live and work in Kentucky, you need a vehicle to get where you’re going — especially if you live outside a metropolitan city limit.
These secondary roads can be more hazardous than the interstates and highways crossing the state. Kentucky has almost 6,000 miles of state roads with narrow shoulder or lane widths, or both. Statistically, 60% of Kentucky's roadways have a lane width of 10 feet or less. Only Virginia and West Virginia have higher percentages of narrow roads.
Narrow roadways are partly responsible for a large number of traffic accidents in the state. With this sobering fact in mind, you may realize how vital it is to have a solid Kentucky auto insurance policy.
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.