Bowling Green Car Insurance
Experts break down auto insurance costs, coverages, companies, and more.
Even the most careful drivers can have accidents. That is why vehicle owners in Bowling Green are required by Kentucky state law to carry car insurance. From fender-benders on Scottsville Road to multi-car collisions on I-65, a solid auto insurance policy can shield you from facing large financial losses as a result.
Finding affordable coverage is easy when you get help from a local independent agent. These agents can work with a variety of reliable insurance providers to find the best auto insurance policy for you and your family. Contact an insurance agent near you to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Bowling Green, KY?
The average cost of car insurance in Kentucky is only slightly higher than the national average. Shopping around for the best rate has the potential to save you a lot of money.
- National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
- Kentucky average annual car insurance cost: $1,341
Of course, average rates can only give you a general idea of what you might actually be expected to pay. Car insurance premiums will vary from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors such as:
- The make, model, and year of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
- Your age, occupation, and driving history
- Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
- Whether you own or rent your home
- The accident and auto theft rate in the vicinity of your home
- The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
- The coverage options you are including in your policy.
Most insurance companies offer rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies such as home insurance or renters insurance. There are usually other discounts available as well, such as lower rates for good drivers and good students.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Kentucky?
Kentucky is a no-fault state. This means that your own insurance will provide coverage for your injuries and funds will come from the insurance company of the at-fault driver once your own coverage is exhausted.
You will need liability insurance to cover damage and injuries you cause to other people if you are responsible for an accident and you will need to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which can cover medical bills and lost wages if you are injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
In Kentucky, your car insurance policy must include coverage of at least:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
- $10,000 in personal injury protection insurance (PIP)
Instead of the 25/50/25 liability coverage mentioned above, the state will allow you to purchase blanket liability coverage of $60,000 per incident.
What Else Can Bowling Green Car Insurance Cover?
In addition to the mandatory liability and personal injury protection insurance that is required by the state, most insurance companies will offer a variety of coverage options. These include:
- Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault. This is usually required by lenders or dealerships if you are financing or leasing your car.
- Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or tornado. This is usually required by lenders or dealerships if you are financing or leasing your car.
- Uninsured / underinsured motorist insurance: This covers injuries and property damage that go beyond what your own policy can cover if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- Roadside assistance and towing: This covers the costs of assistance if your car breaks down or becomes disabled, such as if your engine overheats, your battery dies, or you get a flat tire.
- Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event. It is a good idea to have it during the first few years of new car ownership when the vehicle’s assessed value tends to be lower than the amount you still owe for it.
- Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while yours is being repaired following a covered event.
- Umbrella insurance: Supplementing your car insurance with an umbrella insurance policy is an affordable way to significantly boost your liability coverage beyond your insurance policy's coverage limits.
Reviewing coverage details and costs can help you determine which, if any, of the coverage options available to you are a good fit for you and your family.
What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Bowling Green, KY?
Driving without insurance is illegal in Kentucky. If caught, you can face penalties including:
- A fine ranging from $500 to $2,500 or up to 180 days in jail, or both
- The suspension of your vehicle registration for up to two years
- A $40 administrative fee and court fines
- A misdemeanor conviction on your record
- Higher car insurance rates
Despite these penalties, about one in ten drivers in this state is operating an uninsured vehicle.
- Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
- Percentage of Kentucky drivers who are uninsured: 11.5%
If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you and your passengers for any property damage and injuries you may sustain that go beyond what your collision and PIP insurance can cover. However, this money can often be difficult to collect.
Uninsured motorist insurance was created to ensure that you can you receive the compensation you deserve quickly and without the need to go through lengthy legal channels. Your insurance company will take on the burden of trying to get compensation from the at-fault driver.
Does Bowling Green Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?
The auto theft rate in the state of Kentucky is nearly identical to the national average rate. However, the is higher in Bowling Green. Residents of this city report about 200 stolen vehicles a year.
- National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
- Kentucky auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.30
- Bowling Green auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 3.65
You can only be compensated for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. This optional insurance covers more than just car theft. It also covers loss or damage caused by a variety of other non-collision hazards like windstorms and floods.
If you are still paying for your vehicle or if you have it on a lease, chances are good you already have this coverage. If not, you may want to ask how much it would cost for you to include it to your Bowling Green car insurance policy so you can determine if it is of good value to you.
Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Bowling Green, KY?
If you are looking for the right auto insurance to meet your coverage and budgetary needs, an independent agent in Bowling Green can help. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can shop around to find you the coverage you want at the most competitive price.
Contact an insurance agent near you to get more information and to start comparing customized quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in Kentucky.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Bowling Green-Kentucky.html
https://drive.ky.gov/Motor-Vehicle-Licensing/Pages/Mandatory-Insurance.aspx#regulation-and-requirement
https://insurance.ky.gov/ppc/newstatic_info.aspx?static_id=24