Average cost of car insurance in Kentucky in 2023

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How much is car insurance in Kentucky?

If you’re shopping for a new policy, you might be wondering “how much is car insurance in Kentucky?” According to proprietary premium data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of car insurance in Kentucky is $2,124 per year for a full coverage policy. This is slightly higher than the national average of $2,014. Kentucky's minimum coverage premium is also a little higher than average, coming in at $678. Nationally, the average minimum coverage rate is $622 per year. However, keep in mind that car insurance is highly personalized, and depending on your rating factors, you could be paying more or less than the average.

Kentucky car insurance rates by city

In most states (Kentucky included), car insurance companies may use your ZIP code as a factor to determine your car insurance premium. A higher population density usually leads to heavier traffic, and heavier traffic usually leads to more claims. Additionally, theft and vandalism may occur more often in bigger cities than in rural areas. Although these risks don't necessarily mean that car insurance is always more expensive in bigger cities, it does illustrate how where you live within a state can impact how much you pay for coverage.

The table below shows how rates may differ between various cities in Kentucky:

Average car insurance costs by age and gender in Kentucky

Car insurance rates in Kentucky can vary, depending on factors like your age and gender. Statistics show that men tend to engage in riskier driving behaviors than women, which means they are more likely to be involved in a car accident. As a result of this higher risk, men usually pay more for auto insurance than women (although this gap narrows as people age).

Teens and young adults also tend to take risks while on the road, leading to a higher rate of severe crashes. In fact, 16- to 19-year-old drivers get into almost four times as many fatal accidents per mile compared to any other age group. To compensate for this risk, insurers charge this segment of drivers some of the highest rates.

The tables below show full coverage breakdowns for drivers by age and gender. You may notice that 18-year-old drivers pay more than 16-year-olds, but this is because our 16-year-old premium data is based on the teen listed on their parents’ policy. 18-year-old driving data, on the other hand, is based on the driver listed on their own policy.

Cost considerations for young drivers in Kentucky

As mentioned, younger drivers usually pay cheaper rates when listed on their parents’ policy than when listed on their own. However, it’s important to mention that whether you can list your young adult child on your policy depends on several factors. For example, your insurance company may require that your young adult child lives with you. Still, exploring this option might bring some financial relief (if it applies to you).

The tables below show average premiums for young drivers listed on their parents’ policy:

*16- and 17-year-old drivers must be on their parents’ policy. 

**All rates are based on full coverage policies.

How does driving record impact the cost of car insurance in Kentucky?

Having just one speeding ticket, accident or drunk driving conviction in Kentucky can raise your annual insurance premiums by hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, your average car insurance cost in Kentucky depends on the type of violation you received. Every insurance company weighs accidents and convictions differently, so shopping around may be even more important for drivers with an imperfect driving record. Keep in mind that some insurance companies won’t cover you if you’ve had a DUI conviction. 

Below, you’ll find average full coverage premiums in Kentucky after various types of driving activity:

Car insurance rates in Kentucky by credit score

Almost every state allows car insurance companies to use your credit-based insurance score as a rating factor, Kentucky included. Car insurance rates are based on statistics, and statistically speaking, those with lower credit scores tend to file more claims than those with higher credit scores. To compensate for this additional risk, insurers typically charge higher rates for drivers with bad credit.

Below, we’ve illustrated how your credit score can impact your average full coverage premium in Kentucky. Please note that we use data from drivers with a good credit score to calculate our base average premiums, which is why no difference in average annual premium is shown.

Kentucky car insurance rates by vehicle type

Your vehicle’s make and model also have a significant impact on your car insurance rates. Usually, higher-end luxury vehicles and sports cars cost more to insure due to expensive parts and specialized labor needs. However, like with almost every insurance rating factor, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, popular, mid-priced sedans can have higher rates because they’re more likely to be stolen or vandalized (simply because there are more of that make and model on the road). If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and have more than one type in mind, you may want to get quotes for each make and model you’re considering — rates can vary significantly, as shown in the table below.

How to save on car insurance in Kentucky

Although Kentucky car insurance rates might be slightly higher than average, there are several ways you may be able save on your car insurance premium, including:

• Accident forgiveness: Considering that your Kentucky car insurance is likely to cost at least 46 percent more after an accident claim, signing up with a carrier that will not raise your rates after one accident might save you considerable money over several years.
• Defensive driving course: Investing in an approved safety driving course could lower your premium over three years. Most courses can be completed online in a matter of hours or over a weekend. Do note that some carriers require you to be 50 or over to qualify for this discount, so you may want to contact your agent for more information. 
• Multi-vehicle: Young adults typically face the highest rates and may want to consider insuring their car through a parent’s car insurance, if possible. In doing so, parents might also be able to take advantage of a multi-vehicle discount for having more than one car on their policy.
• Safe driver: Embracing safe driving habits to avoid accident claims and speeding tickets may qualify you for larger discounts over time. Safe drivers are usually awarded the lowest base rates, too, since their risk of getting into a car accident is lower than that of a risky driver. Most insurance companies offer telematics programs that track your driving and allow you to earn discounts on your premium if you exhibit safe driving behaviors.

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Frequently asked questions