Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Seniors in Kansas
Kansas requires this coverage on every policy, and it matters more as you get older because it pays when the other driver can't.
Yes, and Kansas already requires it
Kansas law requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on every auto policy written in the state. You already have it unless you signed a form rejecting it, which some drivers do to lower their premium.
For a driver your age, this coverage matters because it pays for your medical care and your vehicle when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough of it. Your health insurance and Medicare may not cover everything a crash costs, and this is the part of your policy that fills that gap.
Whether you rejected it to save money
Some drivers, at some point, sign the form that removes uninsured motorist coverage from their policy in exchange for a lower premium. If you or your agent did that years ago, you may not have this protection now even though Kansas requires insurers to offer it.
Check your policy declarations page for a line that says uninsured motorist bodily injury and uninsured motorist property damage. If you don't see it, call your agent and ask whether you rejected it or whether it was never properly added.
Adding it back usually costs less than people expect, because the coverage pays out less often than your own liability coverage does. It's worth asking your insurer for the exact difference in your premium.
If you're on a fixed income, this is one place worth checking before you renew. A gap here means a bad driver with no insurance could leave you paying for your own medical bills and repairs.
What it pays for versus what you might assume it pays for
Uninsured motorist coverage pays when the other driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage pays when they have insurance but not enough to cover what you're owed. Kansas requires both, but they work differently and have separate limits.
This matters for you because medical costs after a crash tend to run higher for older drivers, simply because recovery takes longer and involves more care. If the at-fault driver's liability limits are low, underinsured motorist coverage is what covers the rest, up to your own policy's limit.
Many drivers assume health insurance or Medicare will absorb these costs. Medicare may cover some of it, but it can also seek reimbursement later from any settlement you receive, which is something to ask about if you're ever in that situation.
Ask your insurer what your uninsured and underinsured limits actually are, not just whether you have the coverage. The state sets a minimum, but you can usually buy more.
Questions people ask about this
Does Kansas require uninsured motorist coverage for all drivers?
Yes, Kansas requires insurers to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on every auto policy unless the driver rejects it in writing. This applies regardless of age. The rejection form is a separate document from the rest of your policy, so check with your agent if you're not sure whether you signed one.
Can I add uninsured motorist coverage back after rejecting it?
Yes, you can ask your insurer to add it at any renewal or during your policy term. There's no rule against adding it back later. Ask your agent for a quote on the added premium so you can weigh it against the cost of being uninsured against an uninsured driver.
Does uninsured motorist coverage cost more as you get older?
It depends on your insurer and your overall rating factors, not on age alone. Some insurers weigh driving record and claims history more heavily than age for this particular coverage. Ask your insurer directly how they price it and whether your age affects this specific line.
Will uninsured motorist coverage pay if I'm hit by a hit-and-run driver?
In most cases, yes, because a driver who flees the scene is effectively uninsured for purposes of your claim. The details depend on your policy language and sometimes on police reports confirming the other vehicle couldn't be identified. Ask your insurer what documentation they require for a hit-and-run claim.
Does Medicare affect how much my uninsured motorist claim pays out?
Medicare can seek reimbursement from any settlement or payout you receive if it already paid for your medical treatment after the crash. This doesn't reduce your uninsured motorist coverage limit, but it can affect how much of the payout you keep. Ask your insurer and, if needed, a benefits counselor how this works before you settle a claim.
See what Kansas insurers would charge to raise or restore this coverage on your policy.
Pull out your current policy's declarations page this week and find the line for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If it's missing or the limits look low, call your agent and ask what it would cost to add or raise it. Have your renewal date handy, since that's often the easiest time to make the change without a mid-term adjustment fee. If you're not sure what your state minimum is, ask your agent to point it out on the page. Once you know where you stand, it's worth comparing quotes from a few insurers to see whether you're paying a fair price for the coverage you actually have.
