Cheap Auto Insurance Louisville, KY - Benzinga
Louisville, Kentucky, home to more than 770,000 people, is a great place to visit or live. Famous for events like the Kentucky Derby, the city features a lot of great restaurants, parks, and entertainment venues. Louisville, also known as “Derby City,” is home to the largest annual fireworks in North America, as well as the largest annual Beatles festival in the world, known as “Abbey Road on the River.” A city as large as Louisville means lots of traffic, congested roads, and possible accidents. If you plan on visiting the city soon or moving there, you’ll need to know about their traffic laws and insurance requirements. We’ve gathered the facts for you to keep you safe and covered.
Find cheap auto insurance providers in Louisville, KY
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Quick Look: Cheap Auto Insurance Louisville, KY
- Best Overall: Kentucky Farm Bureau – Get a quote
- Cheapest Coverage for Drivers With Infractions: Progressive – Get a quote
- Best for Military Personnel: USAA – Get a quote
Louisville, KY Auto Insurance Overview
- Average number of vehicles per household: 1
- Minimum state insurance requirements:
- $25,000 for all bodily injury claims sustained by any one person
- $50,000 for all bodily injury claims sustained by all persons as a result of one accident
- $25,000 for all property damage claims as a result of one accident
- Single policy for $60,000 is also acceptable
- Average rate for drivers with a clean driving record: $1,133
Kentucky Auto Insurance Law Explained
If you don’t have auto insurance in Louisville, KY, your registration will be revoked. Furthermore, if you’re stopped and fail to produce proof of insurance, you can be fined $500 to $1,000 and face up to 90 days in jail. If you’re new to Kentucky and own a vehicle, you must register your vehicle within 15 days of moving. If you don’t keep your registration current, you must surrender your license plate to the county clerk’s office and can cancel your insurance without penalty. The minimum requirements for insurance in Louisville, KY is as follows:
- $25,000 for bodily injuries sustained by one person
- $50,000 for all bodily injury claims sustained by one or more persons involved in an auto accident
- $25,000 in property damage insurance as a result of one accident
- $10,000 in personal injury protection.
- You can buy a single policy worth $60,000 in lieu of the above
If you own a recreational vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), you must carry insurance year-round. In other words, you can’t drop it during the off-season. As soon as your insurance lapses, a notice will be sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and you’ll be subject to fines and penalties.
Louisville Traffic Laws You Should Know
As a resident or tourist in Louisville, KY, you need to know some of the city’s basic traffic rules and potential fines. Here’s a shortlist:
Right on red: You can turn right on red unless otherwise posted after you yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
Texting and driving: Texting while driving is illegal. Fines are $25 for the first offense and $50 for the second offense. Depending on the circumstances, texting and driving could lead to a reckless driving conviction, and if it results in a death, vehicular homicide charges are possible. A few exceptions to this law include:
- Contacting EMS services
- Using a GPS for directions
- Reporting illegal activity
Seat belt laws: You can be pulled over for failure to wear a seat belt. The fine is $25.
Speed limits: 35 mph in business and residential districts; 65 mph on most interstate freeways; and 55 mph on interstate highways, unless otherwise posted. Penalties for speeding are fines up to $100, 3 points on your driving record, and possible license suspension for repeat speeders. Fines are doubled in school and construction zones.
Driving under the influence: If you’re caught with a blood alcohol count of more than .08% or more, you could be sentenced to 90 days in an alcohol rehab program as well as a 30-120 day license suspension, in addition to penalty fees, court fines, and other legal fees.
Auto Insurance Rates Per Vehicle
Certain makes and models of cars are targets for thieves, and some are more apt to be involved in accidents. If you drive one of these high-profile cars, you’ll likely pay more for car insurance. Usually, you’ll pay a higher rate if you drive an expensive car or a car that’s frequently stolen. In Kentucky, the Chevrolet Silverado is the most popular vehicle. When purchasing a vehicle it’s best to get some auto insurance quotes on the exact vehicle to get the best estimate of your monthly payment.
Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Score
Most states allow insurance companies to include your credit score when determining your auto insurance rates. California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts are the only states that don’t allow this, however, many other states are considering passing laws to follow suit. Generally, the higher your credit score is, the lower your insurance rate will be. Insurance companies justify doing this based on studies that link bad credit to riskier driving habits, so it pays to raise your credit score if you can.
Paying your bills on time and signing up for a free credit monitoring service are good ways to get started. Some companies may not factor your credit score in as much if you have a clean driving record, so be sure to shop around. Here are a few examples of insurance rates based on credit scores:
Insurance for Drivers With a Clean Record
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, it’s worth your while to drive safely. Your driving habits can directly impact how much you pay for insurance. A clean driving record means no points for accidents or other traffic violations.
Insurance Agency | State Minimum Insurance | Standard Coverage | Full Coverage |
---|---|---|---|
Kentucky Farm Bureau | $871 | $990 | $1,300 |
State Farm | $1,039 | $1,127 | $1,512 |
GEICO | $994 | $1,269 | $1,440 |
Cincinnati Insurance | $1,545 | $1,734 | $1,999 |
USAA | $758 | $929 | $1,135 |
Insurance Rates with Driving Infractions
If you’re a driver who’s prone to driving infractions such as speeding, you’ll be flagged as a high-risk driver by insurance companies, and some could deny you insurance altogether. Insurance providers consider credit score, age, gender, location, occupation, marital status, and many other factors when determining your auto insurance rates, but your driving record is important.
Non-moving violations usually won’t raise your rates, however, if you’re a habitual offender who receives numerous parking tickets or other citations, you might be subject to an increase. Follow the rules of the road, drive the speed limit, and always be aware of your surroundings. Use hands-free calling and avoid texting and driving. Here are a few auto insurance rate comparisons for drivers with less than perfect records:
Insurance Agency | At-Fault Accident | Speed Violation | DUI |
---|---|---|---|
GEICO | $2,834 | $1,570 | $3,524 |
State Farm | $1,718 | $1,807 | $4,209 |
Allstate | $3,980 | $2,239 | $3,756 |
Kentucky Farm Bureau | $1,699 | $1,005 | $3,156 |
Progressive | $1,578 | $1,363 | $2,900 |
Best Auto Insurance Providers Louisville, KY
Based on our findings and research gathered from sources such as J.D. Power and Associates, Consumer Reports, and user reviews here are our top picks for auto insurance in Louisville, KY:
Best Overall: Kentucky Farm Bureau
Kentucky Farm Bureau is an insurance company available exclusively to Kentucky residents and provides the cheapest rates. They also offer discounts for safe drivers and good students, as well as multi-vehicle discounts, and are a top-rated provider as ranked by J.D. Power and Associates for customer service.
KFB agents are available 24/7 should you have questions or need to file a claim. Kentucky Farm Bureau is the cheapest auto insurance company in the state. They’re also the #1 property and casualty insurance provider. They’re known for turning around insurance claims in as little as 24 hours and offer a discount of up to 25% to safe drivers. You can also easily bundle your auto insurance with other insurances such as home insurance to save more money.
Cheapest Coverage for Drivers With Infractions: Progressive
Progressive is the cheapest insurance company for drivers with infractions in Louisville. Agents will work with you should you have an accident or other violations. For drivers who are considered high-risk, Progressive will help you obtain SR-22 coverage if it is mandated by the court and will not drop your insurance just because you have had an accident.
Read Benzinga’s full review on Progressive auto insurance
Best for Military Personnel: USAA
You must be an active or retired military member, or family member of one, to sign up for USAA insurance. They’re dedicated to providing car insurance exclusively to military members. Because USAA is only available to military families, you can expect top-notch service at some of the lowest rates in the country. Offering auto, home, life, and even financial services USAA’s full suite of services can keep you covered in all life’s situation. The average annual rate for car insurance from USAA is $929.
Read Benzinga’s full review on USAA auto insurance
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Drive safe and save money in the Bluegrass state
The rates listed here are sample rates. You’ll need to contact an auto insurance company to obtain a quote that’s specifically designed for you. If you’re looking for more ways on how to lower your car insurance, here are a few more things you can do:
- Install an anti-theft system if your vehicle does not have one
- Comparison shop
- Bundling family policies (such as life, home, and auto)
- Raise your deductibles
- Pay your insurance all at once versus monthly. Many insurance companies charge more if you opt for monthly payments instead of one lump sum.
Want to learn more about insurance? Read our articles on best homeowners insurance in Kentucky, best commercial car insurance, and best classic car insurance.
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