Kansas Auto Insurance Requirements: What You Need To Know

Yes, you do need car insurance in Kansas. The state requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance, and you must be able to prove that you have insurance if stopped by law enforcement. The minimum coverage required by law in Kansas includes liability insurance, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Kansas' minimum insurance requirements

Yes, car insurance is mandatory in Kansas, and the state has set minimum insurance requirements that drivers must meet. These requirements include liability coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

The minimum liability insurance coverage in Kansas is 25/50/25, meaning:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is also required in Kansas and provides coverage for medical expenses and other related costs, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. The minimum PIP coverage in Kansas includes:

• $4,500 per person for medical expenses
• $900 per month for one year for disability/loss of income
• $25 per day for in-home services
• $2,000 for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses
• $4,500 for rehabilitation expenses

In addition to the above, Kansas also requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) with minimum limits of:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury

It is important to note that these are the minimum insurance requirements in Kansas, and drivers may choose to purchase additional coverage to protect themselves and their vehicles adequately.

The consequences of driving without insurance in Kansas

Driving without insurance in Kansas is a serious offence and can result in various penalties, including fines, suspension of driving privileges, and even imprisonment. Here are the consequences you may face if you are caught driving without insurance in the state of Kansas:

Fines

For a first offence, you may be fined anywhere between $300 and $1,000. If you are caught driving without insurance again within three years of your first violation, it is considered a second offence, and the fine increases to between $800 and $2,500. For a third and subsequent offence, the fine remains between $800 and $2,500.

Imprisonment

Driving without insurance in Kansas can also result in imprisonment. For a first offence, you may face up to six months in jail. For second and subsequent offences, the imprisonment term can be up to one year for a second offence and up to two years for a third offence.

Suspension or Revocation of Driving Privileges and Vehicle Registration

If you are caught driving without insurance in Kansas, your driving privileges and vehicle registration will be suspended or revoked. For a first offence, your license and registration will be suspended until you can provide proof of insurance. For a second offence, your driving privileges will be revoked for a period, and you will need to pay a reinstatement fee to get them back. For a third and subsequent offence, your driving privileges will be revoked for up to three years, and you will need to maintain an SR-22 certificate for a minimum of three years.

SR-22 Requirements

To reinstate your driving privileges after a conviction for driving without insurance in Kansas, you will need to file an SR-22 certificate, which proves that you have an active insurance policy that meets the state's minimum coverage requirements. The SR-22 must be maintained for at least one year for a first offence and three years for subsequent offences.

Increased Insurance Rates

In addition to the legal penalties, driving without insurance in Kansas can also have financial repercussions. Your car insurance rates are likely to increase, and you may be treated as a high-risk driver by insurance companies.

The benefits of no-fault insurance

Yes, it is mandatory to have auto insurance in Kansas. The state requires its drivers to carry the following liability insurance coverages at a minimum:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 per accident for property damage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM)

Now, here are the benefits of no-fault insurance:

No-fault insurance is designed to save you from the hassle of dealing with a lawsuit or claim after a car accident or collision. With no-fault insurance, you only ever work with your own insurance company, allowing you to get back to your life sooner. It ensures that claim disputes are handled by insurance companies and not the court system. For example, if your car is damaged by another driver, your insurance provider compensates you for repairs and then requests a claim of the same amount from the other driver's insurance company.

No-fault insurance benefits consumers by eliminating some of the costs involved in settling claim disputes, which in turn helps lower your premiums. For instance, the Canadian province of British Columbia introduced no-fault insurance in May 2021, and drivers are expected to save 20% on average (or roughly $400 annually) on insurance premiums.

No-fault insurance also ensures quick claim payouts after an accident and reduces the number of lawsuits for minor injuries. It covers a wide range of expenses in addition to medical bills, including childcare and household services. The insured only has to deal with one insurance company, and money will be available more quickly.

However, it's important to note that no-fault insurance raises car insurance premiums and makes it challenging for drivers to receive compensation for pain and suffering. No-fault states have higher insurance premiums than tort states because more coverage is required, and fraud is more prevalent.

The Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act

The Act requires that every motor vehicle owner in Kansas must have vehicle liability insurance coverage. The minimum liability with respect to each vehicle must be no less than $25,000 for bodily injury to, or the death of, one person in any one accident. The policy must cover at least $50,000 for bodily injury to, or the death of, two or more people in any one accident. The law also requires a minimum of $10,000 of coverage for harm to, or the destruction of, the property of others in any one accident.

The legal requirement for motor vehicle insurance includes personal injury protection benefits, or PIP. PIP benefits must include disability benefits, funeral benefits, medical benefits, rehabilitation benefits, substitution benefits, and survivor's benefits.

PIP medical benefits must include allowances for all reasonable treatment expenses up to a limit of not less than $4,500 for necessary healthcare rendered by practitioners licensed by the State Board of Healing Arts. Medical benefits must also include licensed psychologists, surgical, x-ray, dental services, prosthetic devices, and necessary ambulance, hospital, and nursing services.

Rehabilitation benefits required by law encompass all reasonable expenses up to a limit of not less than $4,500 for necessary psychiatric or psychological services. These benefits must also cover occupational therapy, as well as occupational training and retraining, to enable the person to obtain suitable employment.

Disability benefits refer to allowances for the loss of monthly earnings due to an injured person's inability to work. Claimants must prove that the injury is the proximate cause of their inability to engage in gainful activity. Generally, allowances are made for 85% of the injured claimant's regular gross earnings, up to a maximum cap of not less than $900 per month.

Funeral benefits are also covered under PIP, with allowances of up to $2,000 per individual for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses.

Substitution benefits allow for reimbursement of appropriate and reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining services in lieu of those that the injured person would have performed for themselves or their family. These benefits are subject to a maximum of $25 per day for no longer than 365 days after the date such expenses are incurred.

The Act also requires that every person operating a motor vehicle on a highway or public property shall be able to display, upon demand, evidence of financial security to a law enforcement officer. Failure to do so can result in a citation, a fine, or confinement in county jail for not more than six months.

The benefits of collision insurance

Kansas is a no-fault state, which means that drivers are required by law to have auto insurance with liability and uninsured motorist coverage. Collision insurance is not required by law in Kansas, but it is a valuable addition to your auto insurance policy.

Peace of Mind

Collision insurance provides peace of mind, especially if you drive an expensive car or cannot afford to pay for repairs after an accident. It covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision, regardless of who is at fault. This includes accidents involving only your car, such as rolling over, as well as accidents with other vehicles or objects like trees or guardrails.

Protection Against Uninsured Drivers

Collision insurance also covers accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. If another driver hits your car and doesn't have enough insurance to cover the damage, your collision insurance will kick in and pay for the repairs.

Required by Lenders

If you are leasing or financing your car, your lender will likely require you to have collision insurance until the contract ends. This protects their investment in the vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

While collision insurance covers accidents involving objects or other vehicles, comprehensive insurance covers other types of damage, such as theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters, and collisions with animals. Together, these two types of insurance provide comprehensive protection for your vehicle.

Full Coverage Option

Collision insurance is typically included in full-coverage insurance policies, which also include liability and comprehensive coverage. Full-coverage insurance protects you and your vehicle in most situations and is a good option for those seeking extensive protection.

In summary, while collision insurance is not legally required in Kansas, it offers valuable protection for your vehicle. It covers a wide range of accident scenarios and can provide peace of mind, especially for those with expensive cars or limited financial resources.

Frequently asked questions