If you live in Overland Park, you know you're in one of Kansas's most desirable communities—great schools, safe neighborhoods, and a median household income over $103,000. But here's what many residents don't realize until it's too late: your insurance needs in Johnson County are different from what you might expect. Between Kansas's unique no-fault auto insurance laws, the very real threat of spring hail storms, and those wind/hail deductibles that can catch you off guard, there's more to protecting your Overland Park home and vehicles than just meeting the bare minimums.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about insurance in Overland Park—from understanding Kansas's at-fault system and mandatory coverage requirements to preparing for tornado season and getting the best rates in our competitive market. Whether you're new to the area or just want to make sure you're properly covered, here's what matters most for protecting your Johnson County property and family.
Understanding Kansas Auto Insurance Requirements
Kansas operates under a no-fault insurance system, which confuses a lot of people. Here's what it actually means: if you're in an accident, your own insurance company pays your medical bills up to your policy limits, regardless of who caused the crash. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage handles this—it's required by law and covers $4,500 in medical expenses per person, plus $900 monthly for up to a year if you can't work, and even $2,000 for funeral expenses.
But here's the catch: while medical expenses go through your own insurance, property damage works differently. If someone hits your car, their insurance pays to fix it—that's still at-fault based. Kansas requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25, which breaks down to $25,000 per person for injuries, $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. You also need uninsured motorist coverage at 25/50 minimums to protect you if someone without insurance hits you.
Overland Park drivers pay an average of $1,426 annually for full coverage auto insurance. Those minimums might seem tempting when you're trying to save money, but think about this: the average car costs over $30,000 now, and medical bills from even a moderate injury can easily exceed $25,000. Most insurance agents recommend at least 100/300/100 coverage if you can afford it, especially in an affluent area like Johnson County where you're more likely to encounter expensive vehicles and higher liability risks.
Home Insurance and Kansas Weather Realities
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Kansas weather. Tornado season runs from March through June, with May being the worst month. In 2024 alone, Kansas experienced 76 tornadoes, and a March storm brought hail ranging from golf balls to softballs across the state. Overland Park isn't immune—hail reports are common here, and that matters a lot for your home insurance.
Here's what surprises most homeowners: wind and hail deductibles work differently than your regular deductible. Instead of a flat $1,000 or $2,500, your wind/hail deductible is typically a percentage of your dwelling coverage—usually 2% to 5%. If your Overland Park home is insured for $400,000 (close to the median property value of $384,400), a 2% deductible means you're paying $8,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in for hail or wind damage. That's a significant amount most people don't have sitting around.
The good news? Johnson County homeowners pay roughly $904 to $1,224 per year for home insurance—dramatically less than the Kansas statewide average of $3,467. That's partly because Overland Park has lower crime rates, better-maintained homes, and fewer claims than rural areas. But rates have been climbing: Kansas saw home insurance increases of 8.3% in 2023 and 13.2% in 2024, driven by inflation, supply chain costs, and severe weather claims.
One solution gaining traction is supplemental wind/hail deductible coverage called SOLA, which covers what your primary home insurance doesn't—paying up to $2,000 to $25,000 to offset those percentage-based deductibles. If you're worried about coming up with $5,000 or more after a hailstorm damages your roof, it's worth asking your agent about.
Storm Preparation and Claims You Should Actually File
When severe weather is forecasted—and in Overland Park, that's March through June most years—take 30 minutes to prepare. Move vehicles into your garage if possible. Take photos or video of your home's exterior and your belongings inside. Document model numbers and serial numbers of expensive electronics and appliances. If something gets damaged or destroyed, you'll need this for your insurance claim, and most people can't remember what they owned after the fact.
Here's something important that stops people from filing claims: they're worried their rates will go up. But in Kansas, filing a hail claim shouldn't raise your individual rates. Insurance companies can't penalize you for weather events. Body shop owners and roofing contractors all say the same thing—if you have hail damage, file the claim. Take photos immediately after the storm, get an estimate, and contact your insurance company. Waiting can actually complicate your claim because it's harder to prove when the damage occurred.
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer recommends reviewing your homeowner and auto policies before storm season starts. Check that your dwelling coverage reflects the actual replacement cost of your home, not just the market value. With construction costs climbing and Johnson County's high property values, many homeowners are underinsured without realizing it. If your home was built or last renovated years ago, your coverage limits might not reflect today's rebuild costs.
Shopping the Competitive Overland Park Insurance Market
Overland Park's insurance market is competitive, which works in your favor. Major national carriers, regional companies, and local independent agents all operate here, competing for your business. That competition means better rates if you're willing to shop around. Get quotes from at least three different carriers—and don't just compare the premium, compare coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
Bundling your home and auto insurance typically saves 15% to 25%, and most carriers offer additional discounts for things like having a security system, being claims-free for several years, or installing impact-resistant roofing. Given Overland Park's hail exposure, that last one can significantly reduce your wind/hail deductible or premium. Ask specifically about discounts—agents won't always volunteer every one you might qualify for.
Independent agents can be particularly valuable because they work with multiple carriers and can shop your coverage across several companies at once. In a market where rates are climbing—remember that 13.2% increase in 2024—having someone who can compare your options annually helps ensure you're not overpaying as you renew year after year.
Getting Started with Your Overland Park Insurance Review
Pull out your current insurance policies—both auto and home. Look at your coverage limits, your deductibles, and specifically your wind/hail deductible percentage. Ask yourself: if your roof needed replacing tomorrow, could you afford that percentage-based deductible? If your answer is no, it's time to either adjust your coverage or look into supplemental options.
Schedule time before March—before tornado season starts—to review your coverage with an agent. Bring questions about replacement cost coverage, whether you have enough liability protection given your assets and income level, and what discounts you might be missing. For most Overland Park families, insurance is one of their largest annual expenses after housing and transportation. Spending an hour or two making sure you're properly covered and not overpaying is time well spent.
Living in Overland Park means you've chosen quality of life—great schools, safe streets, and a strong community. Protecting what you've built here means understanding the specific insurance landscape of Johnson County and Kansas. From navigating no-fault auto coverage to preparing for hail season to making sure your dwelling coverage keeps pace with rising construction costs, the right insurance strategy gives you peace of mind. Take the time to review your coverage, shop around if needed, and make sure you're protected for what actually happens in Kansas—not just what might happen anywhere.
