Cheap Car Insurance in Kentucky 2023

Kentucky ranks as the 13th most-expensive state for purchasing auto insurance in the country, according to our internal data. With an average rate of $267 per month, drivers in the Bluegrass State pay slightly more than the national average rate of $233 per month. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, consider using an online comparison tool to compare quotes from multiple companies that match your insurance needs.

If you’re a new resident in Kentucky, you need to complete a simple checklist for your vehicle upon making the move, including obtaining a Kentucky driver’s license, transferring your vehicle title, and registering your vehicle.^[1]

Best cheap car insurance in Kentucky: State Farm

To identify the best companies for cheap car insurance in Kentucky, Insurify’s data analysts considered average insurance costs and Insurify Composite Scores (ICS). Our analysts calculate these scores using industry and financial ratings, customer and claims satisfaction, and mobile app reviews.

The best car insurance companies in Kentucky include State Farm, GEICO, and USAA. These three companies offer rates lower than $175, which are well below the state and national averages.

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.

Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

Minimum car insurance requirements in Kentucky

Kentucky requires insurance for all motor vehicles operated or parked on state roadways. You must carry proof of insurance in your car at all times and have the proof available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Kentucky^[2] are:

• $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Kentucky is a no-fault state, meaning both parties’ insurance providers will pay for expenses, regardless of which party caused the accident.

• $25,000 per accident for property damage: If authorities determine an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $10,000 per accident for PIP: Personal injury protection coverage, also known as PIP coverage, will cover the policyholder for medical expenses they incur in the event of an accident. Depending on your plan, you may also receive non-medical benefits, compensating you for lost wages, household expenses, and even funeral costs.

Kentucky DMV information

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet operates the Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a service that assists drivers with administrative tasks. At sites throughout the state, residents can register vehicles, renew driver’s licenses and ID cards, pick up license plates, and more. Many tools are also available through the DMV’s online portal.^[3]

Public transportation in Kentucky

While Kentucky does have public transit, its popularity and accessibility vary based on each county. For example, Frankfort residents can take BUS, or the Bluegrass Ultra-Transit Service, run by the Bluegrass Community Action Agency, to get around, as well as the Frankfort Transit System (FTS).^[4] Specifics vary, but driving a personal vehicle is often a more reliable option.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Kentucky

Comparing quotes online from multiple auto insurers is the most effective way to find affordable car insurance rates available to you in Kentucky.  An online comparison tool will pull together great rates from all the top insurers in Kentucky, making it quick and easy for you to compare policies.

Other options for lowering the cost of your car insurance include: 

• Increasing your deductible

• Using all available discounts

• Bundling two or more policies

• Maintaining a good credit score

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Kentucky

If you live in Kentucky, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Kentucky by policy type.

How your driving history affects Kentucky car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Kentucky. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Kentucky based on driving and accident history.

SR-22 insurance in Kentucky

If you get a DUI, some states require you to get an SR-22 form to prove that your auto insurance policy meets the minimum liability coverage mandated by state requirements or court orders. However, Kentucky does not require an SR-22 form. The following insurers may still provide cheap coverage for drivers with previous violations.

How credit scores affect Kentucky car insurance quotes

While some states prohibit insurers from using credit scores when determining insurance rates, Kentucky allows the practice. Credit scores impact how much you pay for your auto insurance policy. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores.

How your city affects Kentucky insurance quotes

Car insurance in Kentucky varies from city to city because of factors tied to ZIP codes, including crime rates, population density, and more. Some auto insurance providers see certain areas as having more risk than others, which affects those cities’ average monthly rates.

How your age affects your Kentucky car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.

Quotes for younger drivers

Multiple other factors influence how much drivers in each age group will pay for car insurance. Some increase rates for one age group more than another, while others impact all age groups evenly.

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers younger than 30. Younger drivers in Kentucky should consider Safeco and Travelers for the cheapest average insurance rates. Rates for liability insurance start as low as $154 with Safeco and $156 per month with Travelers.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

Middle-aged drivers generally pay lower insurance rates than younger or less-experienced drivers. However, incidents like DUIs or at-fault accidents can increase their rates significantly. The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers in Kentucky between ages 30 and 59. 

Quotes for senior drivers

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers 59 and older. In Kentucky, senior drivers in their 60s and 70s tend to pay a bit less on average than drivers in their 80s. Options for cheap monthly liability insurance include $100 with Safeco, $103 with Travelers, and $120 with Progressive.