Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Kansas in 2025
Kansas law mandates motor vehicle liability insurance for all vehicles operated on public roadways. Under Kansas Statutes Chapter 40, Article 31, the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act, every owner must provide motor vehicle liability insurance coverage for every motor vehicle owned, unless the vehicle is included under an approved self-insurance plan or is expressly exempted from the requirements. The requirement applies to vehicle registration, operation on highways, and property open to public use.
Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage
Kansas Statutes Section 40-3104 establishes that every owner shall provide motor vehicle liability insurance coverage in accordance with the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act. An owner of an uninsured motor vehicle shall not permit the operation thereof upon a highway or upon property open to use by the public, unless the motor vehicle is expressly exempted. No person shall knowingly drive an uninsured motor vehicle upon a highway or upon property open to use by the public, unless the motor vehicle is expressly exempted from the requirements.
The Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles administers vehicle registration throughout the state. The Division of Vehicles processes registration applications, renewals, and title transactions through county treasurer offices located in communities across Kansas. Insurance verification occurs as part of the registration process to ensure compliance with financial security requirements.
Motor vehicle operators must display evidence of financial security upon demand to law enforcement officers. Operating a vehicle without financial security constitutes a violation of Kansas law. Persons convicted of violating insurance requirements are subject to fines ranging from $300 to $1,000 for a first offense, with enhanced penalties for subsequent violations within three years. Vehicle registration may be suspended or revoked for failure to maintain required insurance coverage.
Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
Docking State Office Building, 915 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66625
Phone: (785) 296-3621
Official Website: Kansas Department of Revenue
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
Kansas Statutes Section 40-3107 establishes minimum coverage amounts for motor vehicle liability insurance policies. The Kansas Insurance Department regulates insurance companies and provides guidance on coverage requirements. Kansas requires drivers to maintain liability insurance coverage that meets or exceeds statutory minimum amounts.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury or death of one person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury or death of two or more persons | $50,000 |
| Property damage or destruction | $25,000 |
| Personal injury protection per person for medical expenses | $4,500 |
| Personal injury protection per month for disability/loss of income | $900 |
The minimum coverage requirements established by Kansas law include both liability coverage and personal injury protection benefits. Kansas operates under a no-fault insurance system that requires personal injury protection coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and funeral expenses.
Collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and property damage coverage beyond liability requirements are not mandated by Kansas law. Motorcycle owners, for example, who are named insureds may reject personal injury protection coverage in writing for injuries occurring while operating or riding as a passenger on the motorcycle.
Kansas Insurance Department
1300 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: (785) 296-3071
Official Website: Kansas Insurance Department
Proof of Insurance Documents
In Kansas, drivers must carry proof of financial security and display it upon demand to law enforcement officers. Kansas law permits the display of evidence of financial security in electronic format on cellular phones or portable electronic devices. The following formats are accepted:
- Insurance ID Card (Paper): The traditional printed insurance card issued by insurance companies showing policy information, policy number, and coverage dates.
- Digital Insurance Card (Electronic): Kansas accepts electronic proof of insurance displayed on cellular phones or any other type of portable electronic device with a display screen.
- Policy of Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance: The complete insurance policy document showing coverage information.
- Certificate of Insurance: An identification card or certificate issued to the policyholder by the insurer providing the name of the insurer, policy number, make and year of the vehicle, and effective and expiration dates of the policy.
- Insurance Binder: A temporary proof of insurance document valid for 30 days while the full policy is being processed, particularly for newly acquired vehicles.
- Certificate of Self-Insurance: A certificate signed by the Commissioner of Insurance for approved self-insurers.
Insurance Verification System
Kansas law requires proof of insurance to be presented when a vehicle registration is issued or renewed. For individuals or small businesses, proof of insurance must include the name of the insurance company, policy number, name of the owner, effective and expiration date of coverage, and the year, make, and vehicle identification number for the vehicle. Fleet or commercial vehicles must provide the name of the insurance company, policy number, name of the owner, effective and expiration dates, and a reference that coverage is for fleet or commercial vehicles.
Law enforcement officers verify insurance coverage during traffic stops. Any person operating a motor vehicle upon a highway or upon property open to use by the public must display evidence of financial security upon demand to a law enforcement officer. The law enforcement officer shall issue a citation to any person who fails to display evidence of financial security upon demand. When authenticity of evidence is questionable, law enforcement officers may initiate preparation of insurance verification forms, which are forwarded to the Department of Revenue for verification with the insurance company.
County treasurer offices verify insurance coverage during registration transactions. Acceptable proof of insurance for registration purposes can be the original or copy of insurance coverage meeting the specified requirements. For newly acquired vehicles where license plates are being transferred, proof of insurance from the vehicle traded in or recently sold within the last 30 days may be used. For newly acquired vehicles without plate transfer, a binder from an insurance agent is required.
Exceptions to Insurance Requirements
Limited exceptions to the financial responsibility requirement exist under Kansas Statutes Section 40-3104:
- Self-Insurance Plans: Vehicles included under approved self-insurance plans for persons in whose name more than 25 motor vehicles are registered in Kansas.
- Driver Training Vehicles: Vehicles used as driver training motor vehicles in approved driver training courses by school districts or accredited nonpublic schools under agreements with motor vehicle dealers, when insurance coverage is provided by the school district or nonpublic school.
- Qualified Self-Insurance from Other States: Vehicles included under qualified plans of self-insurance approved by an agency of the state in which the motor vehicle is registered.
- Motor Carriers: Motor carriers of property or passengers regulated by the corporation commission of the State of Kansas.
- Vehicle Dealers: Vehicles being offered for sale by vehicle dealers licensed under Kansas law.
- Expressly Exempted Vehicles: Vehicles expressly exempted from the provisions of the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act.
Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration
County treasurer offices throughout Kansas process vehicle registration applications and renewals. Kansas law requires new residents to register their motor vehicles within 90 days of establishing Kansas residency. Vehicle registration services are handled at the local level through county treasurer offices.
Insurance coverage must be presented when vehicle registration is issued or renewed. For newly acquired vehicles, owners must provide current proof of insurance containing the name of the insurance company, policy number, name of owner, effective and expiration dates, and vehicle information. If transferring license plates from a traded or recently sold vehicle, proof of insurance from the previous vehicle may be used if the transaction occurred within the last 30 days.
New Kansas residents registering vehicles from other states must establish Kansas insurance coverage. Out-of-state insurance policies do not satisfy Kansas registration requirements for vehicles being registered in Kansas. New residents should obtain Kansas insurance before completing vehicle registration at the county treasurer's office.
