The Heart of America
There’s a good reason Kansas City, Missouri is called “The Heart of America.” The city is near the country’s major population center andgeographical center. But there’s even more to love about KC. It’s a major jazz music hub, has casinos, amazing barbecue, and some of the best performing arts centers in the nation! The city has undergone extensive downtown redevelopment, with the purpose of attracting more and more tourism dollars. While this is great for the local economy, it also makes it harder for residents to find all the cheap insurance Kansas City can offer. This is because rapid growth causes insurance companies to restructure their rates more frequently.
If it’s been more than six months since you looked at your insurance policies, now is the perfect time. There is a great chance you’re on an older rating structure, so there is probably a cheaper option for you out there.
Facts about Kansas City
While we could talk about Kansas City all day, we know you’re here for insurance tips. So let’s break down the types of insurance available in KC, so you can get the deals you need.
- The median income in KC is just under $50,000. Paired with the lower-than-average cost of living, the city is very affordable for middle-class families.
- KC is the 37th largest city in the US, with a population of just under half a million.
- Local breweries provide extra attraction for tourists, as well as the Kansas City Underground. The Underground is a network of “speakeasies,” giving the city a quirky feel.
- Tourism is managed by Visit KC, which is the city’s official tourism site. A quick visit can give local residents and tourists pages of events and attractions. It’s one of the best tourism sites we’ve seen, with frequent updates and an active event calendar.
Car Insurance
Maybe it’s because of the city’s auto manufacturing history, but we’ve found that KC loves its classic cars! There are tons of “joy ride” or “cruising” events, and various clubs to belong to. Most of you have a daily commute, but take some time over the weekend to take a road trip up and down the Missouri River. Just being around nature has a calming effect, which can help take the stress off your week. Thankfully Kansas City residents experience some of the shortest commute times in the nation, with an average of just 20 minutes! The rest of us get even more jealous when we think about the great options for cheap insurance Kansas City residents enjoy. Remember, the shorter your commute, the cheaper your rates!
We’ll talk about more ways to lower your car insurance, but first you need to know the basics.
Minimum Coverage in Kansas City
The state of Missouri requires certain minimum coverage, which obviously includes Kansas City. Here they are:
- Bodily Injury (BI) Liability, per person, per accident: $25,000
- BI Liability for multiple people per accident: $50,000
- Property Damage Liability, per accident: $10,000
This coverage is pretty typical for other states, but doesn’t give you a whole lot of protection. Especially for you or your vehicle. To make sure you have proper coverage, we recommend some (or all) of these additions.
- Increased liability. This is probably the most overlooked. But increasing your liability is usually the cheapest upgrade. Considering the cost of medical care, it could help protect you against lawsuit if you seriously injure someone or cause more than $10,000 in property damage.
- Collision coverage: Part of what is typically known as “full coverage,” this will cover damage to your vehicle if you are at-fault in an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers your vehicle against theft or other damage not related to an auto collision (like if a tree falls on your car).
- Rental coverage: Reimburses you for rental fees while your car is being repaired (or if you’re shopping for a replacement vehicle due to a total loss).
- Towing or Roadside Assistance
- Medical Payments coverage: Pays for ambulance rides or other immediate care.
Let’s talk about discounts
- Discounts for safety courses taken – taking a safety course proves you are a safe driver.
- Marital discounts
- Good driver discounts – given for having a clean driving record.
- Multi-car discounts – Make sure all your cars are on the same insurance policy.
- Multi-policy discounts- Combining your auto with your home or renter’s policy can save you even more.
- Association discounts – Such as triple-A or union memberships
- Education discounts – Some companies give discounts for having a post-high school education.
- Occupation discounts – Some employment fields offer discounts, such as government or health-care work.
- Mileage discounts- Keeping low annual miles on your vehicle will keep your premiums lower.
There are many ways to save money, but the most effective is to take the time to find all the choices for cheap insurance Kansas City agents can offer. K.C. is the largest city in Missouri, with a population of close to 500,000 (2 million if you count the greater metropolitan area). The crime rate is about double the national average, with 3,500 automobiles stolen in 2012. Missouri doesn’t require comprehensive or collision coverage, but for any urban area with a higher-than-average crime rate, it is recommended (typically referred to as “full coverage”). To be sure your policy meets the legal requirements, head to our Missouri state guide.
The #1 Money Saving Tip
Comparing quotes from multiple carriers remains the most effective way to save money on your car insurance. The good news is that it only takes minutes. You don’t even have to pick up the phone. We just need your zip code to get started. By filling out some basic information you can see not only what the major insurance carriers will charge you, but also local agents in Kansas City.
Other Money Saving Tips
- Check rates in multiple zip codes: OK, so insurance companies can’t charge certain zip codes more. They use the term territory instead, which amounts to the same thing. Rates are based on a number of factors, including crime date, demographic date, traffic patterns, and average car value. If you are thinking of moving, or are wondering why your rates have gone up, you might take a closer look at your neighborhood. For instance, living in Pendleton Heights can mean cheaper rates for certain coverages, as opposed to living in certain parts of East Kansas City.
- Check for hidden fees: Make sure your agent or broker discloses each and every fee (and can justify them). Also be sure to ask if there are any billing fees in addition to the quoted monthly price. You can usually save $5-$10/month by enrolling in monthly Electronic Funds Transfers. Or pay six months in full for even more savings!
