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If you want to find cheap car insurance in Kentucky, we’ve got the top providers for you.
Like in most states, Kentucky drivers are required to have a particular amount of car insurance, but you do get to choose the provider. To help you find affordable Kentucky car insurance, we’ve analyzed the best car insurance companies and provided an overview of what you can expect from state insurance laws.
See what providers we recommend below, and enter your zip code to start comparing auto insurance quotes.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies In Kentucky
According to our rate estimates for Kentucky car insurance, Travelers offers the cheapest full coverage insurance at an annual rate of $1,273.
Travelers is just over 34 percent cheaper than Kentucky Farm Bureau, but this provider as well as USAA, Auto Owners, and State Farm are great low-cost options for Kentucky drivers as well.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Annual Cost Estimate |
| State Farm | $1,379 |
| USAA | $1,342 |
| Auto Owners | $1,467 |
| Progressive | $2,062 |
| Travelers | $1,273 |
| Kentucky Farm Bureau | $1,948 |
What Is The Average Cost Of Car Insurance In Kentucky?
Compared to the national average, car insurance in Kentucky is actually relatively inexpensive. According to the NAIC, the cost of Kentucky car insurance was $937 in 2018, while the national average was $1,056.
Here’s a breakdown of the coverage costs that year based on data from the Insurance Information Institute:
| Type Of Coverage | Average Annual Expenditure |
| Liability coverage | $611.00 |
| Collision coverage | $312.00 |
| Comprehensive coverage | $165.00 |
| Total Cost | $937.00 |
*Most drivers carry liability coverage but not necessarily other types of auto insurance. Total average annual expenditure measures what Kentucky drivers actually spent on auto insurance in 2018.
Annual Kentucky Car Insurance Estimates By Age
In Kentucky, age can be a huge factor for car insurance rates. A 20-year-old may pay up to 86 percent more for auto insurance than a 30-year-old.
| Age | Kentucky Annual Car Insurance |
| 20 | $3,464.00 |
| 30 | $1,856.00 |
Annual Kentucky Car Insurance Estimates By Gender
Gender can also affect car insurance rates in most states, but for Kentucky, rates between men and women don’t differ much.
| Gender | Kentucky Annual Car Insurance |
| Female | $1,845.00 |
| Male | $1,842.00 |
Annual Kentucky Car Insurance Estimates For Drivers With Bad Credit
Drivers with good credit scores can pay up to 57 percent less for car insurance than drivers with poor credit in Kentucky.
| Credit Rating | Kentucky Annual Car Insurance |
| Good | $1,803.00 |
| Poor | $4,173.00 |
Annual Kentucky Car Insurance Estimates For Bad Drivers
Having a speeding ticket, accidents, or DUIs can increase your car insurance rate in Kentucky up to 84 percent more.
| Driving Record | Kentucky Annual Car Insurance |
| Clean | $1,803.00 |
| Speeding Ticket | $2,184.00 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,746.00 |
| DUI | $3,321.00 |
5 Best Kentucky Car Insurance Companies
We understand the need for cheap car insurance, but price can’t be the only factor you consider. As you look for a new insurance company, you want to make sure you choose a provider that pays claims promptly and offers exceptional customer service. Otherwise, the cheapest Kentucky car insurance policy is worthless after an accident.
When we examine top providers, we look at prices, coverage, financial strength, and customer satisfaction. After performing extensive research, these are the providers that came out on top:
| Best Kentucky Car Insurance | Automoblog Rating | Average Cost |
| 1. State Farm Car Insurance | 4.6 | $1,342 |
| 2. USAA Car Insurance | 4.5 | $1,379 |
| 3. Progressive Car Insurance | 4.5 | $2,062 |
| 4. Nationwide Car Insurance | 4.4 | $4,913 |
| 5. Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance | 4.1 | $1,948 |
*Not all companies were included in our rate estimates for each state. You may also notice that some car insurance companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our ranking looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for car insurance in Kentucky. Also note that Nationwide Car Insurance data was taken from 2022.
#1 State Farm: Our Top Pick For Car Insurance In Kentucky
If you enjoy personal connections, you’ll be happy to know that State Farm has local agents around the country. You can visit a local office to start coverage or get your free State Farm car insurance quote online. State Farm is well known across the insurance industry, performing well in many J.D. Power studies and earning an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
The car insurance company has some of the best car insurance in Kentucky. While your rates will jump slightly after an accident, State Farm doesn’t appear to penalize policyholders the way some other providers do. Aside from standard coverage, you can also add these types of coverage:
- Gap insurance
- Ridesharing insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
In addition, State Farm has apps that monitor your driving and provide you with a discount for safe driving. If you have a teen driver at home, this option is ideal for lowering rates.
State Farm Pros and Cons
| State Farm Pros | State Farm Cons |
|---|---|
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#2 USAA: Runner-Up For Kentucky Car Insurance
USAA car insurance is only available to military members and their families, but for those who qualify, the company is our second choice for car insurance in Kentucky. What’s good about USAA is the insurer offers low rates throughout the entire country, not just Kentucky. That’s why many service members, veterans, and families tend to use USAA for diverse financial needs.
In addition to standard coverage, you can also add on these types of coverage:
- Accident forgiveness: Your premium will not increase after one accident with this policy. Plus, if you are free of accidents for five years, USAA will automatically add this coverage for free.
- Gap insurance (total loss protection): If you finance a vehicle, your lender might require this coverage. It pays off the loan when a car is declared a total loss.
- Car replacement assistance: Unlike gap insurance, this plan provides an additional 20 percent on top of the actual cash value after a total loss.
- Rental reimbursement: When your vehicle is in the shop for a covered repair, you can receive reimbursement for a rental car.
- Roadside assistance: This provides emergency service for flat tire changes, towing, lockout service, fuel delivery, and jump-starts.
What sets USAA apart is exceptional customer service. In J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and 2020 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, USAA performed ahead of the competition.
USAA Pros and Cons
| USAA Pros | USAA Cons |
|---|---|
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To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our review of USAA car insurance.
#3 Progressive Car Insurance
We also think Progressive is a great option for Kentucky car insurance. Progressive car insurance came in fourth place on our ranking of national auto insurance companies overall, earning 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.
Progressive wrote over $31 billion in premiums in 2019, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and is the third-largest company for private car insurance. It has an A+ rating from AM Best, though it performed average on both of the J.D. Power studies mentioned above.
In addition to standard coverages, Progressive offers coverage options like roadside assistance, loan payoff, custom parts coverage, and insurance for rideshare drivers. The company has some decent car insurance discounts, too. You can lower your rate with the Snapshot app, and you can save $50 toward your deductible for each policy term you have without a claim.
Progressive Car Insurance Pros and Cons
| Progressive Pros | Progressive Cons |
|---|---|
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#4 Nationwide Car Insurance
Though Nationwide car insurance does not top the charts for cost or customer service, we are impressed by its comprehensive coverage and extensive discount availability. It is well suited for tech-savvy drivers, as it has an extensive online portal that gives you access to everything from quotes to paying your bills, filing a claim, and requesting roadside assistance. The company also has programs geared toward safe drivers, such as Nationwide’s SmartRide® program, which gives drivers a discount after they allow the company to track their safe driving practices for a set period of time.
AM Best, a credit rating agency for insurance companies, gave Nationwide Mutual Insurance an A+ (Superior) rating for financial strength. The BBB rates Nationwide at A+, too. Nationwide has nearly 250 customer complaints logged with the BBB in the last three years, but for a company of its size, that number isn’t unusual.
Nationwide Pros and Cons
| Nationwide Pros | Nationwide Cons |
|---|---|
| Relatively affordable rates for drivers with bad credit | Low rate of customer renewal |
| Multiple telemetrics programs | Average claims satisfaction performance |
| Lots of insurance products for bundling | Higher than average insurance premiums |
#5 Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance
The state’s local Kentucky Farm Bureau is a part of the larger American Farm Bureau Federation, an organization formed in 1919 to represent farmworkers. Today, Farm Bureau branches serve all residents, regardless of background or industry.
Kentucky Farm Bureau is recognized by industry experts and customers alike:
- AM Best: Financial strength rating of A (Excellent)
- BBB: A+ rating and accreditation
- J.D. Power: 830 points out of a possible 1,000 in the 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Availability is one of Kentucky Farm Bureau’s strong suits. There are a number of local agents across the state. We also like Kentucky Farm Bureau’s transparent and well-designed website, which can be rare for a smaller agency. The site clearly lays out various insurance categories, discount opportunities, and ways to get insurance quotes.
Kentucky Farm Bureau can still be a strong choice if you are:
- Living in Kentucky
- A homeowner looking to bundle insurance plans
- Planning to stay with the company in the long run
- A student, senior, or military member
- Not looking for many bells and whistles
Kentucky Farm Bureau Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| A+ rating from the BBB | Must be a Farm Bureau member |
| Excellent financial strength rating from AM Best | Not as much coverage as larger insurers |
| Transparent and accessible website | |
| Local agents and customizable plans |
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our review of Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance.
Enter your zip code in the tool below to collect and compare car insurance quotes from providers available in your state to find cheap car insurance.
State Requirements For Car Insurance: Kentucky
Each state has its own auto insurance requirements. The minimum requirement must be followed, or there are often penalties involved. The minimum auto insurance in Kentucky includes:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $10,000 per accident
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): No specific requirement
Some drivers choose to purchase additional coverage like collision and comprehensive insurance. Here’s a closer look at the standard types of car insurance:
- Property damage liability covers other vehicles and property in accidents that you cause.
- Bodily injury liability covers other drivers in accidents that you cause.
- Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against theft, vandalism, floods, hail, falling trees, and additional hazards.
- Collision coverage protects your vehicle after an accident, no matter who is at fault.
- PIP covers your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage helps you receive compensation if someone with no car insurance or not enough insurance causes an accident. It also covers hit-and-run incidents.
If you choose to drive without car insurance in Kentucky, you could lose your vehicle registration, pay fines up to $1,000, and spend up to 90 days in jail. It’s not worth taking that risk, especially when some providers offer cheap car insurance rates.
Kentucky Is A No-Fault State
Kentucky is considered a no-fault state, but it uses a slight variation of the typical rules. With your car insurance in Kentucky, no-fault laws apply to PIP benefits. Because of this setup, everyone has access to medical attention after an accident. It covers both the driver and passengers.
However, drivers may opt-out of the no-fault system. When doing this, you open the door to pursue liability claims against other drivers. On the downside, others will also be able to pursue legal action against you, so it’s not always a wise option.
What Is It Like Driving In Kentucky?
According to Statista, there are more than three million licensed drivers in Kentucky, with a fairly even split between males and females. These numbers place Kentucky right in the middle of all of the states.
Kentucky isn’t considered one of the cheapest or most expensive states for car insurance. Instead, it is average. This could be due to higher-than-average road deaths per miles traveled and population. In fact, both of these numbers are much higher than the nation’s average.
Teen Driving Laws In Kentucky
Teen drivers can apply to get a learner’s permit in Kentucky at age 16. This permit requires an adult (age 21 or older) to be in the front seat with the driver. In addition, the teenager must perform 60 hours of practice. The teen may then apply for an intermediate license. While this driver is allowed to operate a vehicle alone, there are still some regulations, including:
- No driving between midnight and 6:00 AM EST
- Only one non-family member under 20 may be in the vehicle unless a licensed adult is in the front seat
By age 17, teenagers may receive an unrestricted driver’s license if all other requirements have been met.
Alternative Car Insurance In Kentucky
If you are unable to get auto insurance in Kentucky due to accidents, speeding tickets, or a DUI, you might have better luck through the Kentucky Automobile Insurance Plan. This plan isn’t ideal for typical drivers in Kentucky, but only to be used as a last resort.
How To Save More On Kentucky Car Insurance
Finding cheap auto insurance in Kentucky starts with getting several quotes and evaluating providers. Once you find the company you want to work with, you still have a few ways to lower your rates.
- Browse discounts: Each provider has a list of discounts you may qualify for. If you bundle your policies, get good grades, or have a military affiliation, you might be able to save even more.
- Evaluate your vehicle: The type of car, truck, or SUV you drive makes a big difference. Choose a safe vehicle with plenty of driver-assist features to lower your rates. You also want to look at the price of the vehicle and replacement parts. The more expensive these factors are, the more likely you are to pay more. It helps to get a free quote before you purchase the vehicle if you want to pick one of the cheapest cars to insure.
- Be a safe driver: If you don’t get into any accidents and you avoid getting tickets, you have a better chance of receiving a low rate.
- Adjust the deductible: If you want to lower the price of your comprehensive and collision coverage, consider increasing the deductible. Just keep in mind that you will have to pay more out of pocket after an accident.
- Work on credit: Auto insurance providers look at your credit score before giving you a rate. This number is used to determine reliability. The higher your score, the better your insurance premiums will be. Pay all of your bills on time if you want the lowest car insurance rates in Kentucky.
It takes less effort than you think to get a low Kentucky car insurance rate. All you need is to invest a little time and do your research to get the coverage you deserve. Enter your zip code to go begin getting quotes from top car insurance companies in Kentucky:
Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
