Auto Comprehensive Insurance: What Kansas Drivers Need To Know

Comprehensive car insurance in Kansas covers damage or loss to your car that does not result from a collision. This includes situations such as fire, severe weather, vandalism, floods, theft, and damage caused by falling objects like trees or debris. Comprehensive coverage also covers collisions with animals, such as deer. It is not a legal requirement to carry comprehensive coverage in Kansas, but it is often recommended, especially if your car is less than eight years old or worth more than $5,000. Comprehensive coverage provides valuable protection for your vehicle and can give you peace of mind in the event of unexpected incidents.

Comprehensive coverage

While not a legal requirement, comprehensive coverage can offer valuable protection for your vehicle. It is often required by lending institutions if you have taken out a loan to purchase your car. Comprehensive coverage can give you peace of mind, knowing that you are financially protected in the event of various unforeseen circumstances.

When purchasing comprehensive coverage, it is essential to understand the specific terms, definitions, and provisions of your policy. The coverage limits and exclusions may vary, so it is advisable to carefully review your policy documents to know exactly what is covered and what is not.

In addition to comprehensive coverage, collision coverage is another optional insurance coverage in Kansas. Collision coverage pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.

To summarize, comprehensive coverage is a valuable option for Kansas drivers, especially those with loans on their vehicles. It provides financial protection against a range of potential damages not covered by collision insurance, giving you added peace of mind on the road.

Collision coverage

While collision coverage is not legally required, it may be mandated by your lending institution or lessor. If your car is involved in an accident and the cost of repair exceeds its value, the insurer will consider it "totaled" and compensate you for the car's worth rather than repairing it.

When using collision coverage, you will need to pay a "deductible". This amount varies depending on your policy terms but is often around $500. Generally, your premiums will increase based on the value of your car or the amount of your deductible.

It is important to note that collision coverage only covers damage to your car and does not include medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Liability insurance

In Kansas, liability insurance is a mandatory primary coverage area of auto insurance. It is divided into two types: bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance

Bodily injury liability insurance covers the cost of claims made by other people who are injured in an accident that you caused. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The minimum coverage amount in Kansas is $25,000 per person, with a total maximum of $50,000 per incident.

Property Damage Liability Insurance

Property damage liability insurance covers the cost of any damage you cause to the property of others, including vehicles, walls, fences, and equipment. The minimum coverage amount in Kansas is $25,000 per accident.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

In Kansas, auto insurance is mandatory, and it falls into two primary coverage areas: liability and property damage. While liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage caused by the policyholder, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects the policyholder when the other driver is at fault and lacks adequate insurance. This coverage is particularly important in Kansas, where 7.2% of motorists are uninsured, higher than the national average of 6.6%.

Here's how it works: let's say you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. If an uninsured or underinsured driver crashes into your vehicle, causing you and your passenger significant injuries, you can make a claim on your policy. Depending on the severity of your injuries and losses, you and your passenger could each recover up to $100,000, which is your policy's per-person limit.

It's important to note that your recovery is limited by the policy limits you've chosen. Therefore, it's advisable to purchase higher coverage limits to ensure sufficient protection in case of a severe accident. While this coverage may increase your insurance premiums, it provides valuable peace of mind and financial security.

In summary, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is a crucial component of auto insurance in Kansas. By understanding how this coverage works and selecting appropriate policy limits, you can protect yourself and your passengers from the financial burden of accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Personal injury protection

The personal injury protection in your auto insurance policy covers you as the policyholder, family members living in your home, and other passengers in your vehicle when an accident occurs, unless the unrelated passenger has PIP benefits under their own or a family member's policy. Some types of accidents may not be covered by PIP, such as accidents that are intentionally caused. Additionally, motorcycle owners in Kansas are not required to have no-fault coverage and must opt-in to purchase PIP if they wish to have the coverage. If you or a family member were on a work-related trip when an accident occurred, workers' compensation would typically cover the injuries instead of PIP.

Frequently asked questions