Kentucky · Uninsured driver · Updated Oct 2026

Hit by an uninsured driver in Kentucky: coverage, penalties and what to do

Your coverage, the penalties and how to claim your losses.

Short answer

An owner without required insurance faces a $500–$1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail, and loss of registration and plates for up to 1 year (KRS 304.99-060). Uninsured motorist coverage must be included unless you reject it in writing.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: Included unless you reject it
Minimum liability: 25/50/25
Insurance system: Choice no-fault
PIP required: $10,000

Uninsured motorist coverage in Kentucky

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Uninsured motorist coverage must be included unless you reject it in writing. Underinsured motorist coverage must be made available if you ask for it.
Liability minimum: 25/50/25 (or a $60,000 single limit) plus $10,000 basic reparation benefits (PIP)
Official text: Read the official text

Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

If the other driver has no insurance in Kentucky

If the other driver is uninsured, your own PIP pays medical bills first; your uninsured motorist coverage (unless you rejected it) can pay for injuries; collision coverage can pay for your car.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Kentucky

An owner without required insurance faces a $500–$1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail, and loss of registration and plates for up to 1 year (KRS 304.99-060).

No-fault benefits in Kentucky

Kentucky uses a choice system: drivers choose options that decide how injury claims work, such as no-fault benefits or limits on suing for pain and suffering. The details are below. Choice no-fault. Your policy must include $10,000 of basic reparation benefits (PIP) per person.

Recent changes in Kentucky

KRS 304.39-320 (underinsured motorist coverage) was amended by 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 27 for policies issued or renewed on or after April 2, 2024; underinsured coverage still must be made available on request.

How fast an insurer must handle a claim in Kentucky

Your own insurer must pay a claim under your policy within 30 days after it gets notice and proof of claim; late settlements earn 12% yearly interest, and you may get attorney fees if the delay had no reasonable basis (KRS 304.12-235).
Every insurer must acknowledge a claim within 15 days, reply to your communications within 15 days, and offer payment due within 30 calendar days of proof of loss, or tell a first-party claimant within 30 days why it needs more time (806 KAR 12:095, Sections 5-6).
Unfair claims practices are banned (KRS 304.12-230).

Claiming from the uninsured driver in Kentucky

Small claims limit for car damage in Kentucky: $2,500. Kentucky small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Step by step if an uninsured driver hits you in Kentucky

Report the crash to the police. Stop, help anyone hurt, and give your plate number and names and addresses of the owner, occupants and driver if asked. Reporting a crash in Kentucky and getting the police report
Write down the other car's plate and get witness names.
Claim under your uninsured motorist coverage; in Kentucky it is included unless you reject it.
File your PIP claim on time; Kentucky's no-fault benefits don't depend on who caused the crash.
If your coverage doesn't pay everything, sue the driver before the deadline: 2 years for both property damage and injury. Deadlines to sue in Kentucky, with the calculator

Free help in Kentucky

Questions about uninsured drivers in Kentucky

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Kentucky?

Uninsured motorist coverage must be included unless you reject it in writing. Underinsured motorist coverage must be made available if you ask for it.

What happens if you drive without insurance in Kentucky?

An owner without required insurance faces a $500–$1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail, and loss of registration and plates for up to 1 year (KRS 304.99-060).

What can I do if an uninsured driver hits me in Kentucky?

If the other driver is uninsured, your own PIP pays medical bills first; your uninsured motorist coverage (unless you rejected it) can pay for injuries; collision coverage can pay for your car.

What is the minimum car insurance in Kentucky?

25/50/25 (or a $60,000 single limit) plus $10,000 basic reparation benefits (PIP)

How long do I have to sue an uninsured driver in Kentucky?

2 years for property damage and 2 years for injury.

How fast must an insurer handle a car insurance claim in Kentucky?

Your own insurer must pay a claim under your policy within 30 days after it gets notice and proof of claim; late settlements earn 12% yearly interest, and you may get attorney fees if the delay had no reasonable basis (KRS 304.12-235). Every insurer must acknowledge a claim within 15 days, reply to your communications within 15 days, and offer payment due within 30 calendar days of proof of loss, or tell a first-party claimant within 30 days why it needs more time (806 KAR 12:095, Sections 5-6).