Drivers all over the United States are required to have motor vehicle insurance for any vehicle that they use. Depending on the state, the regulations concerning insurance laws will vary. From the types of policies to the documentation and minimum coverage amounts, it's important to understand each state's polices to make sure the correct plan is being purchased. Provided in this article is information concerning Kentucky auto insurance laws and Kentucky auto insurance ratings information.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

The State of Kentucky has strict auto insurance regulations for commercial and private vehicle operators alike. The minimum coverage amounts for the state are regulated by the Kentucky Department of Insurance. Kentucky law requires that motor vehicle operators carry a minimum of:

* $25,000 in coverage protection for bodily injury. This amount is per person involved in the accident, driver, passengers, other drivers, etc.

* $50,000 in coverage protection for bodily injury per accident.

* $10,000 coverage in personal injury protection insurance.

Personal injury protection insurance provides coverage for both lost wages and medical expenses, regardless of which party is at fault in the accident. Additionally, members of the insured's family, as well as passengers in the vehicle, who don't have their own motor vehicle or personal injury protection, are also covered under this coverage component as well.

The following coverages are considered optional in the state of Kentucky:

* Under-insured or uninsured motorist coverage

* Comprehensive coverage

* Collision coverage

It's essential that all drivers get a good quote to make sure that their Kentucky car insurance policy is best suited to meet their specific needs and budget. It is also important to ensure that the policy meets the mandated minimum by law. While it's ideal to get coverage that's affordable, Kentucky cheap auto insurance that sounds too good to be true may actually be.

The slightly lower than average minimums may be attributed to the driving conditions within the state as they are generally fair, for roads and road conditions. This can partially be attributed to the state's rather mild climate.

Electronic Insurance Reporting

Currently, all motor vehicle operators in the state of Kentucky are required to report their motor vehicle insurance information electronically. This information is then transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicle Regulations. Having this information sent electronically allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to enforce local insurance laws easier. Although this information is stored electronically, drivers in the state are sill required to have an insurance card to provide as proof of insurance to law enforcement personnel when requested. After receiving several Kentucky auto insurance quotes, and deciding on a policy, the insurer will typically provide the driver with an insurance card.

Kentucky as a 'No Fault' Insurance State

The state of Kentucky is one of a handful of states that have a no-fault system set in place for automobile insurance. A no-fault system states that each insurance company representing each driver involved in a motor vehicle accident will be required to pay for their own damages. This amount is up to the personal injury protection limit, regardless to which party is at fault. Therefore, when an individual involved in an accident wishes to file a lawsuit against another party involved in the accident, their personal injury protection limit must have been exceeded first as the result of a serious injury.

The following injuries will typically qualify under Kentucky law as serious enough to file a lawsuit:

* Compressed, commingled, displaced, or compound fracture of a bone

* Irreversible disfigurement

* Permanent loss of a body function

* Permanent injury

* Weight-bearing bone fracture

While the bar is set pretty high on filing a lawsuit as a result of a motor vehicle accident in the state of Kentucky, parties do have the option to opt out of this law by filing the necessary forms with the Department of Insurance. By taking this option, each party has the ability to file a lawsuit against another person involved in the car accident, regardless to the "serious injury" clause.

It's important to remember that the no-fault clause only pertains to personal injury. Any property that has suffered damage as the result of a motor vehicle accident is considered liable to the person whom is at-fault.

Although motor vehicle accidents aren't always avoidable, one way to reduce the severity of injuries incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident is through proper seat belt use. Currently 82% of United States residents wear seat belts all the time, in the state of Kentucky the rate is only 67%. This average is even lower in some rural portions of the state where the average falls to 54%.

Under-insured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Kentucky state law does not require that motor vehicle operators also carry an under-insured or uninsured motorist component. An under-insured or uninsured coverage option adds an additional layer of protection to existing insurance policies because it adds coverage in the event there is an accident with an operator who doesn't have enough or any automobile insurance whatsoever. Since drivers in the state aren't required to have this coverage option, they may qualify for cheaper Kentucky car insurance quotes.

Insurance Penalties

Drivers who fail to adhere to the mandated liability insurance requirements for the state of Kentucky will receive a $1,000 fine, up to three months in jail, and suspension of their driving privileges. For each subsequent offense of mandated liability insurance failure, the fines, reinstatement fees and jail times are more severe.

Kentucky Car Insurance Rates

Obtaining Kentucky cheap car insurance rates will require some research and cost comparisons between a few automobile insurance companies. On the positive, Kentucky insurance rates fall just below the national average. In 2011, the average automobile insurance rate was $1,629 for a twelve-month policy; the national rate was $1,790.

Factors that are considered to formulate Kentucky car insurance rates are as follows:

* Increased auto insurance fraud

* Higher percentage of uninsured motorist's when compared to other states

* Lower theft rates when compared to the national average

* Lower in-state repair cost

Each of these factors contribute to the lower automobile insurance rates available to Kentucky residents.

One factor that contributes to sometimes higher automobile coverage polices is Kentucky's increased rate of auto theft. The state of Kentucky has a higher average of auto theft occurrences compared to other states. Over the past 10 years, this rate has been on a steady decrease falling from 223.9 thefts per 100,000 inhabitants to under 140.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. The most commonly stolen car in the state is the 1994 Chevrolet Full-size pick up.

Here is a list of some of the major automobile insurance companies operating in the state of Kentucky:

* Progressive Insurance

* Geico Insurance

* Allstate Insurance

* Liberty Mutual Insurance

* Nationwide Insurance

* Travelers Insurance

For further information concerning Kentucky's motor vehicle insurance information contact the Kentucky Department of Insurance (www.insurance.ky.gov).