Insurance Content Navigation

• What Is Collision Insurance?
• What Does Collision Insurance Cover in Kentucky?
• What Doesn't Collision Insurance Cover in Kentucky?
• What Is Kentucky Collision Insurance vs. Comprehensive Insurance?
• Do I Need Collision Insurance in Kentucky?
• How Much Does Collision Insurance Cost?
• How a Kentucky Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You

If you're in an accident with another vehicle or an object, chances are you'll have some damage to your vehicle. The question becomes, who pays for that damage if you're the at-fault driver? The answer is your collision insurance, which is why it's an important coverage to have on your Kentucky auto insurance policy.

Collision insurance is not automatically included in your coverage, so you'll want to work with a Kentucky independent insurance agent to shop collision coverage and determine the best option for you. 

What Is Collision Insurance?

Collision insurance is a type of auto insurance policy that will pay for any damage that is done to your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or inanimate object. 

If you're driving and you rear-end the person in front of you, or lose control of your vehicle and run into a tree, collision insurance will pay to repair your vehicle or replace it if it's been totaled.   

It is not included in your typical auto insurance policy and must be added on as additional coverage.

What Does Collision Insurance Cover in Kentucky?

Collision insurance is different from your standard Kentucky car insurance in that it's designed to cover your vehicle when you are the at-fault driver. If you're changing lanes and you don't see a vehicle in your blind spot and you end up colliding with it, you've just entered into an accident where you're at fault. It's likely that your vehicle and the third-party vehicle received damage in the accident. Your liability property coverage will pay for any damage done to the third-party vehicle, but someone has to pay for the damage done to your vehicle. That is when collision insurance steps in.

Collision insurance pays for when you "collide" with other vehicles or inanimate objects such as light posts, trees, businesses, parking meters, and the like. It will also cover you if you're in a single-driver rollover accident.

If you're leasing your vehicle, your collision insurance will also help pay off the debt if the car is deemed a total loss.

What Doesn't Collision Insurance Cover in Kentucky?

Although it's called collision insurance and covers most collision-related events, there are a few scenarios that do not fall under the protection of collision insurance. 

Insurance expert Paul Martin says it's important to know whether you're in a no-fault state. Kentucky is a "choice no-fault" state, which means that drivers can choose to opt out of the no-fault car insurance system. However, if you opt out you could be sued after a car accident for damage that you caused. 

What Is the Difference between Kentucky Collision Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance?

Collision and comprehensive insurance options are both optional add-ons to your car insurance policy. They also differ in what they cover. While collision insurance covers your own vehicle if it's damaged from a collision with another vehicle or object, comprehensive insurance covers any events that are not covered under collision. This is why it's often referred to as "other than collision" insurance.

In Kentucky, a comprehensive insurance policy will cover your own vehicle for damage resulting from theft, fire, hail, falling objects, windshield damage, and nearly anything that is not considered wear and tear. 

Do I Need Collision Insurance in Kentucky?

While the state of Kentucky does not require collision insurance, it's typically recommended by insurance experts. It's unlikely that you'll never cause an accident in your life, and unlikely that an accident won't result in damage to your vehicle. Without collision insurance, you'll have to pay those costs yourself. 

Kentucky also has a decent number of uninsured drivers. In fact, 11.5% of drivers are uninsured, which means if you were to get in an accident with them, you would still be responsible for damage to your own vehicle.

"The only time it makes sense not purchase to collision insurance is when an individual's disposable income is so high that the cost of replacing a vehicle would not matter to them," says Martin. "It also doesn't make sense if your replacement costs would be cheaper than your annual insurance premiums." 

Surprising fatality stats for Kentucky drivers

• 724 people were killed on Kentucky’s public roads in 2018
• In 2018, there were 34,774 reported injuries from car accidents
• In 2018, there were 1.50 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in Kentucky. That’s higher than the national average of 1.24 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
• Kentucky’s fatality rate has been higher than the national average since at least 2009.

How Much Does Collision Insurance Cost?

The average cost of car insurance in Kentucky is $1,341 annually, which breaks down to $111 per month. Adding collision insurance adds a small increases to this price. 

Since policies and premiums are specialized by person and vehicle, the final cost will be determined by these factors: 

• Car value: Expensive cars are more expensive to insure because replacement and repair costs are higher. The opposite is true for cheaper vehicles.
• Safety record: One or two fender benders won’t hurt you too much, but major offenses like DUIs will cause your costs to skyrocket.
• Experience and age: The longer you’ve had your license, the less you’re likely to pay. Age is also a factor. Most drivers see a big drop-off in costs after age 25.
• Location: Different regions (called “rating territories”) have different risks that affect costs. Drivers in congested cities are likely to pay more for insurance, because heavy traffic is a risk factor for accidents, even if you’re a good driver otherwise.

An experienced driver with a perfect safety record and a low- to mid-range vehicle is likely to pay only a few hundred dollars a year for collision coverage. New drivers with bad records, especially those with expensive cars, could pay thousands for the same coverage.

How a Kentucky Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

Getting in an accident means you may not have access to your vehicle for several days or months. Collision insurance allows you to get your car repaired as quickly as possible without having to worry about the financial disruptions the accident may have caused. It also helps in the event that you're in an accident with an uninsured driver. 

Kentucky independent insurance agents have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you.