Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

Most Kansas businesses need 25/50/25 commercial auto liability coverage at minimum, but that number climbs once KCC operating authority, no-fault PIP obligations, cargo classification or passenger capacity enters the picture.

Learn more about the commercial auto insurance coverage you need for your business in Kansas, no-fault requirements, KCC carrier minimums and penalties below.

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# Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

Written by Blest Papio

Updated: February 20, 2026

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What Commercial Auto Insurance Is Required in Kansas?

Under K.S.A. 40-3107, Kansas sets commercial auto insurance requirements at a 25/50/25 split liability minimum:

$25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person per accident
$50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people per accident
$25,000 for property damage per accident

Kansas's 25/50/25 minimums cover a standard business vehicle running local routes without KCC authority or for-hire passengers. If your operation holds a Kansas Corporation Commission permit, hauls hazmat or moves people for pay, higher limits apply, and because Kansas is a no-fault state, every commercial auto policy must also carry personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage regardless of vehicle type.

The Kansas Corporation Commission sets intrastate coverage floors for non-hazmat carriers under K.S.A. 66-1,128, and those floors rise with vehicle weight. Cross a state line or haul freight that's part of an interstate shipment, and federal FMCSA rules take over at $750,000 CSL.


0–10,000 lbs	25/50/25 split liability	Local business vehicles without KCC authority
10,001–26,000 lbs	100/300/50 split liability (KCC) or $750,000 CSL (federal)	Intrastate KCC carriers or interstate freight
26,001+ lbs	100/300/50 (KCC intrastate) or $750,000 CSL (federal interstate)	Heavy-duty trucks; CDL required at 26,001+ lbs

Your GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum allowed weight of the vehicle including the vehicle itself, fuel, driver, passengers and cargo. You can find it in these locations, listed from most to least accessible:

On your vehicle: Most often on the driver-side door jamb, door edge or pillar, sometimes inside the engine bay. It may also be listed as GAWR (axle ratings).
Owner's manual: Look in sections labeled specifications, vehicle identification, weight information, towing/trailering or technical data.
Manufacturer website: Search by your vehicle's year and model for published specs.

Moving people for pay in Kansas triggers a separate set of liability limits that scale with vehicle capacity, and the jump from eight to nine passengers more than doubles the required coverage. The thresholds below apply only to intrastate for-hire operations under KCC authority, not to businesses that carry employees or clients in company vehicles without charging a fare; carriers crossing state lines must meet federal FMCSA minimums.


8 or fewer	$100,000/$300,000/$50,000 split liability + UM coverage	Intrastate for-hire (KCC)
9–15	$750,000 CSL	Intrastate for-hire (KCC)
16+	$5 million CSL	Intrastate for-hire (KCC)

Rideshare, taxi and limousine operators in Kansas owe commercial auto coverage from the moment they go online, not just when a fare is in the back seat. Kansas law under K.S.A. 8-2708 ties coverage obligations to the phase of service, which means your personal auto policy's exclusion applies the moment you open the TNC app. These requirements don't apply to businesses using vehicles for deliveries, service calls or other non-passenger commercial use.


App on, waiting for request (Period 1)	TNC, driver or combination per K.S.A. 8-2708(b)	$50,000/$100,000/$25,000 split liability + PIP and UM per K.S.A. 40-3107(f)
Ride accepted or passenger in vehicle (Period 2)	TNC, driver or combination per K.S.A. 8-2708(c)	$1 million CSL for death, bodily injury and property damage + PIP and UM per K.S.A. 40-3107(f)

The coverage gap during Period 1 (app on, no ride request yet) is the blind spot most Kansas rideshare drivers miss. Your personal insurer won't pay a claim during that window, and a rideshare endorsement or standalone commercial policy is the only way to stay covered.

All hazmat cargo coverage floors in Kansas come from federal FMCSA classifications, not state law. For non-hazmat freight, Kansas splits the requirement: intrastate carriers under KCC authority follow the blanket 100/300/50 minimum, while interstate operators fall under FMCSA's $750,000 CSL floor.


High-risk hazmat	$5 million CSL	Tanks >3,500 gallons, Class A or B explosives, poison gas, liquefied compressed gas and other hazardous substances as defined in 49 CFR Part 171
Standard hazmat	$1 million CSL	Regulated materials per federal DOT rules
Oil transport	$1 million CSL	Any federal quantity
Non-hazmat freight (interstate)	$750,000 CSL	General commodities under FMCSA authority
Non-hazmat freight (intrastate)	100/300/50	General commodities under KCC authority

Vehicle size doesn't reduce Kansas's hazmat coverage requirement. A pickup hauling a small tank of Class A explosives needs the same $5 million CSL as an 80,000-lb tanker carrying the same material.

WHEN DOES FEDERAL LAW APPLY OVER KANSAS LAW?

Two triggers shift your insurance obligation from Kansas rules to federal FMCSA minimums: hauling cargo or passengers across state lines, or moving freight that's part of an interstate shipment even if your truck stays inside Kansas. Federal rules also apply to any vehicle with a GVWR at or above 10,001 lbs in interstate commerce, which raises the floor from KCC's 100/300/50 to $750,000 CSL. Businesses that only operate locally without KCC authority stay under Kansas's 25/50/25 minimum. Confirm which jurisdiction applies through the Kansas Corporation Commission, FMCSA's insurance filing requirements and a licensed insurance professional.

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirement Exemptions

Not every business vehicle on a Kansas lot needs a commercial auto policy. K.S.A. 40-3104 carves out certain vehicles based on how and where they operate, with farm vehicles being the most common exemption. The Kansas Department of Revenue verifies insurance for all other vehicles on public roads.


Vehicle used only for personal (non-business) purposes	Personal auto insurance rules
Farm or agricultural vehicle not operated on public roads	May not require liability coverage under road-use laws
Off-road equipment (construction equipment, ATVs) not driven on highways	Not subject to on-road insurance mandates
Government vehicles covered under authorized self-insurance programs	Government self-insurance statutes
Vehicle not registered for road use (yard-only, private property use)	No road-use liability requirement

If your vehicles operate on public roads in Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka or any other municipality, these exemptions don't apply. The Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Vehicles and your county treasurer's office can both confirm whether a specific vehicle qualifies.

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Alternatives

One true alternative to a standard commercial auto policy exists in Kansas, governed by K.S.A. 66-1,128(c).

Self-insurance: Kansas motor carriers (public or private) with more than 25 vehicles registered in their name can petition the Kansas Commissioner of Insurance for a certificate of self-insurance. The commissioner grants approval only when satisfied the carrier has the financial capacity to pay any judgment from the ownership or operation of its fleet. This path is built for large operations that can absorb claim costs without an insurer.
Cash deposit: Individual vehicle owners in Kansas can post a cash deposit or bond as proof of financial responsibility under K.S.A. 40-3104, but that option is limited to personal auto obligations. If your business operates under KCC authority or federal FMCSA rules, a cash deposit won't satisfy the commercial liability requirement.

Special Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage Circumstances

Beyond standard liability, two Kansas-specific situations call for additional coverage or documentation.

Leased commercial vehicles

If you lease a commercial vehicle in Kansas, the leasing company will either add you to its own policy or require you to carry coverage that meets the state's minimums. Either way, Kansas's 25/50/25 property damage cap won't come close to covering the remaining lease balance if the vehicle is totaled. Gap insurance fills the space between what the vehicle is worth at the time of a total loss and what you still owe on the lease.

Farm vehicles on public highways

Farm equipment is exempt from commercial auto insurance in Kansas only while it stays off public roads. The moment a grain truck or agricultural vehicle pulls onto a state highway, even for a short stretch between fields, road-use liability rules apply. If that same vehicle also hauls under KCC authority, the 100/300/50 carrier minimum applies instead of the base 25/50/25. Dual-use farm vehicles are one of the most common sources of coverage gaps in rural Kansas, and a policy that doesn't reflect both uses can lead to a denied claim.

Commercial Auto Insurance Enforcement and Penalties in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Revenue operates an electronic insurance verification system that cross-references your coverage status against insurer-reported data in real time. Police also verify insurance during traffic stops, so a lapse can trigger consequences whether or not you're pulled over.


First (K.S.A. 40-3104(g)(1))	$300–$1,000 (Class B misdemeanor)	Suspended until proof of insurance filed	SR-22 required; proof of insurance for one year
Second within 3 years (K.S.A. 40-3104(g)(2))	$800–$2,500 (Class A misdemeanor)	License and registration suspended	Reinstatement fee; SR-22 required
Driving on suspended license, third+ (K.S.A. 8-262(c))	$1,500+ (Class A nonperson misdemeanor)	Habitual traffic violator designation possible	90 days minimum confinement (work release or house arrest eligible)

Reinstatement after any insurance-related suspension in Kansas requires your insurer to file an SR-22 certificate that must stay active for at least one year. Kansas also enforces a "no pay, no play" rule under K.S.A. 40-3130 that bars uninsured vehicle owners, including commercial operators, from recovering non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in a crash, so a lapse costs you both ways.

How to Verify Your Business Meets Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

Walk through these steps for each vehicle in your fleet to confirm you're carrying the right coverage under Kansas state or federal rules.

1
Identify how each vehicle is used
Note whether it carries passengers, hauls freight or equipment, stays local or crosses state lines. Kansas ties coverage requirements to what the vehicle does, not what industry you're in.
2
Check each vehicle's weight rating
Look for the GVWR on the driver-side door label. Once a vehicle reaches 10,001 lbs, it may fall under federal FMCSA jurisdiction even if it never crosses the Kansas border, depending on the freight's origin and destination.
3
Determine whether state or federal rules govern
Local Kansas operations follow the 25/50/25 minimum, or 100/300/50 if you hold KCC authority. Interstate freight and passenger runs trigger FMCSA minimums, and the dividing line is the shipment's route, not just the truck's route.
4
Match your liability limits to the correct category
A standard Kansas business vehicle needs 25/50/25 plus PIP and UM/UIM. KCC carriers need 100/300/50. For-hire passenger operations range from $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 for eight or fewer riders up to $5 million CSL for 16 or more.
5
Confirm your policy's use classification is accurate
Misclassified vehicle use is one of the top reasons Kansas commercial auto claims get denied. Review each vehicle's listed use, named drivers and coverage type against how the vehicle actually operates day to day.
6
Verify registrations and filings are current
KCC carriers need a Form E filed through the National Online Registry by the insurance underwriter (not the agent). Interstate carriers may need a USDOT number, and passenger or hazmat operations can require additional state or federal registration.
7
Check for farm vehicle and dual-use gaps
If any vehicle in your fleet moves between agricultural and highway use, confirm the policy covers both. Kansas only exempts farm vehicles from commercial insurance while they stay off public roads.

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements: Bottom Line

What your business owes in Kansas comes down to five variables: vehicle weight, KCC operating authority, cargo type, passenger capacity and whether any leg of your operation qualifies as interstate commerce. Once you've identified which category each vehicle falls into, verify that your policy's liability limits, use classifications and filings match what the law requires.

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements: Next Steps

Kansas's legal minimums tell you where the floor is. They don't tell you how much coverage your business actually needs to survive a serious claim, keep a contract or protect your personal assets.

If your goal is just legal compliance

Verify that each vehicle's liability limits match the Kansas, KCC or federal minimum that applies and get commercial auto insurance coverage that reflects the correct use classification. An incorrectly classified policy can void your coverage at the worst possible moment.

For vehicles that are valuable or highly visible

Kansas's $25,000 property damage floor barely covers a fender bender involving two newer vehicles. On I-70 through Kansas City or US-54 through Wichita, a multi-vehicle accident can generate claims well beyond that amount. A $100,000 PD limit is a more realistic starting point for businesses with branded or high-value trucks.

If you transport passengers

One serious passenger injury can exceed the KCC's $300,000 per-accident cap in a single hospitalization. Facility contracts and municipal agreements in Wichita, Topeka and the Kansas City metro often set their own coverage floors above what the state requires, so review your contracts first.

For businesses that haul goods or equipment

Size up your coverage against two numbers: the replacement value of what's on the truck and the damage a loaded vehicle that size can cause in a collision. Kansas roads carry additional exposure from ice storms, tornadoes and high crosswinds on I-35, I-70 and rural two-lane highways.

If your business signs contracts

Broker and shipper agreements commonly require $1 million in auto liability and $100,000 in cargo coverage, regardless of what Kansas law demands. Platforms like Amazon Relay add additional insured requirements on top of that. Read every contract's insurance clause before you bid on work.

About Blest Papio

Blest Papio is a Content Producer at MoneyGeek specializing in small business insurance. With five years of experience in insurance and finance writing and hands-on perspective as a former business counselor, he understands the risks that come with running a business and what it takes to protect against them.

Blest focuses on commercial auto, cyber, property and specialty business insurance. He digs deep into policy details, regulations and provider offerings so businesses can find the coverage they need and avoid financial fallout. His goal is to translate technical insurance language and insurer offerings into guides you can act on.

Whether you're insuring company vehicles, managing cyber liability or protecting your commercial property, Blest aims to guide you through your risks to help you find coverage you truly need, not sell you a policy.

Read Full Bio »

sources

Kansas Legislature. "K.S.A. 40-3107 — Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Policy." Accessed February 20, 2026.
Kansas Department of Revenue. "Division of Vehicles." Accessed February 20, 2026.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. "Insurance Filing Requirements." Accessed February 20, 2026.
U.S. Department of Transportation. "49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table." Accessed February 20, 2026.

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

What Commercial Auto Insurance Is Required in Kansas?

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements by Vehicle Weight

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements by Passenger Count

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements by Service Type

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements by Cargo Type

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirement Exemptions

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Alternatives

Special Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage Circumstances

Commercial Auto Insurance Enforcement and Penalties in Kansas

How to Verify Your Business Meets Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

Identify how each vehicle is used

Check each vehicle's weight rating

Determine whether state or federal rules govern

Match your liability limits to the correct category

Confirm your policy's use classification is accurate

Verify registrations and filings are current

Check for farm vehicle and dual-use gaps

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements: Bottom Line

Kansas Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements: Next Steps

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