Kansas law mandates car insurance as a requirement, yet your choice and amount of coverage can have an enormous effect on your premiums. Drivers have several options when it comes to selecting their policy – from buying only liability coverage up to adding comprehensive and collision for extra protection. It is crucial that every driver understand how much car insurance costs in Kansas so they can make informed decisions for themselves regarding which policy is the most cost effective solution in their individual circumstance.

Kansas law mandates minimum limits of car insurance at $50,000 for bodily injury per person and $25,000 in property damage. Additional coverage levels such as personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist and collision will increase premiums but could prove valuable if you own an expensive vehicle or have assets to safeguard.

Kansas car insurance rates depend on many variables, such as your driving record, credit history, location and coverage levels. Of particular note are adding new drivers or switching vehicles/coverages which can have dramatic ramifications that often are out of the driver’s hands and lead to major fluctuations.

Driving records play a huge part in the cost of an insurance policy, as insurance providers look at past infractions as an indicator of future risk. Drivers with clean records may enjoy reduced rates while those convicted of DUI or any serious offense will experience their premiums skyrocket dramatically.

So it is vital to work on improving your driving record, as this will significantly lower premium costs. Luckily, even drivers with less-than-stellar driving records can find affordable car insurance through Kansas’ voluntary market; specifically the State Auto Insurance Plan offers coverage for drivers unable to purchase it through traditional channels due to DUIs, poor credit or other reasons.

Time behind the wheel can also have a major effect on your premiums, especially if you’ve been charged with DUI; your rates could increase for at least the year following this conviction, while speeding tickets or multiple DUI convictions will increase them as well.

Drivers can take several steps to lower their rates, including bundling their policies together and raising deductibles. Some states also provide special discounts for certain groups like students or veterans. You could save even more by choosing an insurer offering usage-based insurance – these policies tend to be cheaper for low mileage drivers.

Kansas car insurance rates can differ dramatically between towns and cities. Densely populated areas tend to experience greater traffic risks, which drives up costs. Below is a table outlining averages car insurance rates across some of Kansas’ largest cities; though these figures represent averages, shopping around will usually provide you with better prices; NerdWallet allows users to compare quotes from various insurers so that you get an accurate quote tailored specifically for you situation.