KANSAS CAR INSURANCE

Driving the Yellow Brick Road

All drivers living in or planning to move to Kansas should familiarize themselves with the specifics of driving there legally. This state requires that all drivers be covered by a Kansas auto insurance policy, and imposes stiff penalties for those who disobey driving and insurance regulations. Kansas requires all motorists to carry extensive insurance; the legal minimums in this state are some of the most elaborate in the United States.

MINIMUM COVERAGE REGULATIONS

*$25,000 liability coverage per injured person

*$50,000 total liability per accident

*$10,000 property coverage per accident

*No-fault personal injury coverage of at least $4,500 per person

*$900 monthly disability compensation for at least 12 months expenses (per person)

*$2,000 for burial or cremation expenses

*$25 per day of in-home services (such as a cleaning or laundry service for a person with broken hands)

*$4,500 towards physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses

No-fault insurance must also provide complex survivor benefits that parallel those for people injured in an accident: these include $900 monthly income for up to a year and $25 per day for home services. Minimums for underinsured/uninsured motorists are $25,000 per person with a maximum of $50,000 per accident.

Rental Car Insurance

Drivers who rent cars in Kansas are also responsible for carrying insurance during the rental period. Many insurance companies automatically provide this for their policyholders; a client may register their personal minivan with the insurance firm, but their coverage also extends to any vehicle they drive on a temporary basis. Many credit card companies also offer rental car insurance. Drivers who aren't covered by their auto insurance policy or credit card must arrange for insurance directly with the car rental company; in most cases this costs about $10 per day.

Proof of Coverage

Kansas state law requires all drivers to have auto insurance and produce proof of coverage when asked to do so by a law enforcement official. Failure to do so is a class B misdemeanor and may result in a 6-month prison sentence. Uninsured drivers must also pay a fine of at least $300; if this is their second offense, the fine usually exceeds $1,000. Second-time offenders may be simultaneously fined and incarcerated. If a motorist is caught driving without insurance for the third time in a period of under three years, he or she is charged with a class A misdemeanor; this is a more serious charge and may result in more prison time and a fine of not less than $850.

The Long Arm of the Law

Because Kansas prosecutes traffic crimes so aggressively, it is one of the safest driving states in the nation. The average auto insurance premium in the United States is about $820; in Kansas, it's roughly $580. Drivers searching for Kansas cheap auto insurance should take time to do some thorough research. Even those with hectic schedules must make time to look into Kansas auto insurance ratings so they can make an informed decision about which types of coverage are best for them. Drivers with clean records will have the easiest time finding Kansas cheap car insurance.

It's a Twister!

The biggest threat to Kansas drivers is the weather. Kansas sits at the heart of "tornado alley," a strip of flat midwestern territory prone to huge, damaging windstorms. The most powerful tornadoes can easily pick up eighteen-wheeler trucks and throw them thousands of yards; a regular sedan or minivan doesn't stand a chance. Of course, drivers who hear a tornado warning siren or recognize the atmospheric signs that herald a developing storm should get to safety as quickly as possible. If they are unable to outrun the tornado in their car or hide beneath a solid concrete bridge, the car's occupants should ditch the car and get as far away from it as possible, in case the storm picks up the vehicle. Thankfully, many cyclones and tornadoes don't pick up enough speed to fling cars and trucks through the air. However, the debris swirling within the funnel cloud may cause serious and expensive damage to an automobile, including broken windshields, torn radio antennae and mangled roofs. When investigating cheap Kansas car insurance, it's crucial to inquire about tornado coverage for these kinds of situations.

Theft and Security

Crime in Kansas is low; in many years, there are fewer than 30 car thefts. Other types of crime, such as home burglaries, vandalism and assault are also very low compared to the rest of the United States. This high level of safety is reflected in most Kansas car insurance quotes, and drivers can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with carrying comprehensive auto insurance in a safe state. Drivers who have taken defensive driving classes and installed safety devices on their cars may often also take advantage of lower Kansas auto insurance quotes. Drivers who are still in high school can often get a reduction on their premiums simply by maintaining high grades; those who don't drive flashy sports cars may get an even steeper discount, since young drivers in these types of vehicles cause most serious auto accidents throughout the United States. The most popular vehicle safety measures include electronic/ numerical keypad locks, fingerprint ignition switches, audio alarms and steering wheel locks. Some drivers even install aftermarket breathalyzers in their vehicles; these prevent the car's engine from starting up if the driver has an illegal amount of alcohol on their breath. In many cases, these automotive breathalyzers are installed as part of a plea bargain or diversion program for drunk drivers; they can be expensive, but many people prefer them to a prison sentence.

Kansas Insurance Companies

Most major auto insurance companies offer policies in Kansas; these include GEICO, Allstate and AAA. There are also many smaller insurance firms that are dedicated to serving Kansas drivers, and many of them offer steep discounts for families who insure multiple drivers on the same policy and drive only a small number of miles every week. Very young drivers and drivers over age 70 will typically pay the highest premiums, although even these are lower than 47 other states. For a complete listing of Kansas auto insurance companies, click here: http://www.ksinsurance.org/consumers/docs/2012AutoInsuranceSGweb.pdf

REFERENCE: http://www.ksinsurance.org/about/downloadlist.php

http://www.ksinsurance.org/consumers/docs/2012AutoInsuranceSGweb.pdf