Insurance Center

In Kansas, you are required to have auto insurance in order to operate a motor vehicle. The policy must be written to meet the minimum coverage as prescribed by law. Kansas has a "no-fault" insurance system in place, which means that your insurance company is required to make payments to cover any injury claims, regardless of who was at fault in the accident, up to a predetermined limit.

The minimum insurance coverage required in Kansas are as follows:

Liability coverage:

• Bodily injury, per person: $25,000

• Bodily injury, per accident: $50,000

• Property Damage, per accident: $10,000

Personal Injury Protection:

Personal injury coverage is referred to in some insurance policies as PIP coverage or as "no fault" coverage. Here are the required minimums:

• Medical expenses per person: $4,500

• Loss of income per month for one year: $900

• In-home services per day: $25

• Funeral, burial or cremation expense: $2,000

• Rehabilitation expenses: $4,500

Uninsured/Underinsured:

This addition to the required insurance policy protects you in the even of a collision with an uninsured motorist.

• Per person: $25,000

• Per accident: $50,000

Insurance Definitions

Here are some basic definitions of terms used in insurance policies:

• Bodily Injury Liability: covers payment of the other person's medical costs, physical rehabilitation, funeral expenses if necessary and lawsuits and legal expenses, and some other items covered, in the event that you or one of your family members are at fault for an accident.

• Property Damage Liability: pays for the cash value, repair or the replacement of the other person's vehicle if you are at fault in the accident. It also covers your legal expenses related to the accident.

• Personal Injury Protection: covers your (and your passengers') medical expenses including rehabilitation, in-home services and, if necessary, funeral costs. This coverage will pay out no matter who was responsible for the accident. This policy also covers lost wages and extends to cover your passengers injuries and losses, too. If any of your passengers own their own vehicles, they will collect under their own PIP policies.

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection: this is the protection against losses you may incur if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. It coves all medical, rehabilitation, in-home care and, if necessary, funeral costs. It will cover lawsuit settlements related to the accident, as well. You may also use this policy if you or any member of your family is injured as pedestrians or while riding a bicycle.

• Collision: this covers the repair or replacement of your car and is not required insurance in Kansas, but may be required by your lender as long as you have an open loan against your vehicle.

• Comprehensive: This covers just about everything else that could happen to a motor vehicle outside of the damage from an accident including damage from a windstorm, fire, hail, or tornado. It is not required in Kansas but is usually required by a loan company or bank for an automobile with an open loan.

How Insurance Rates are Figured

These are a few of the factors that come into consideration when your insurance rates are calculated:

• Driving record

• Your age

• Your gender

• Where you live

• Car make and model

• How much you drive

• Prior insurance coverage

A preferred driver is one with low risk factors in as many of the above categories as possible. These are the drivers who pay the lowest rates. One of the most important factors in figuring your insurance rates is your driving record.

Keeping Your Rates Low

Here are a few insurance shopping tips and things you can do to help keep your insurance rates within reason:

• Compare rates between insurance companies

• Maintain a good driving record

• Take the highest deductible you can afford

• Consider liability-only on older cars worth less than $1,000

• Pay your premium on time or early

• Check your policy once a year, shop rates with a few different carriers and make any necessary updates to your policy

Some insurance companies give discounts to drivers, including those with multiple policies, great driving records, no accidents, and other criteria. Ask your agent about discounts that can help you save money on your auto insurance premiums.