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Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What homeowners insurance costs in Kansas: average premium, 2023 $1,733 a year in Kansas vs. $1,737 countrywide · 20th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

Kansas's market right now: hail and wind claims

The Kansas Department of Insurance (KDOI) says living in Kansas "brings with it the threat of damaging winds, pelting hail, or roaring floodwaters," causing "hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to property across the state."

KDOI's county-by-county report of 2025 storm claim losses shows:

After more severe weather, on June 9, 2026, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt asked anyone with an insurance claim problem to contact the department's Consumer Assistance Division.

Complaints: KDOI's 2025 Complaint Index (released Aug. 20, 2026) found that homeowners and renters insurance made up 25% of the complaints it closed in 2025, and that 69% of all complaints concerned claims handling. The department says it helped recover nearly $29 million for Kansas consumers in 2025. [5][7][8][9]

Last resort: the Kansas FAIR Plan

A FAIR plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) is a pool that insures property regular companies won't. KDOI says that if you can't find a company that will insure your property, "the Kansas FAIR Plan may accept your property." Things to know, from KDOI:

- Coverage for your property must be declined by at least three insurance companies before you apply. - You apply through any licensed insurance agent who sells property insurance. - The FAIR Plan inspects your property to decide whether you are eligible. Approval "is not guaranteed." - The plan's coverage "is not as comprehensive as homeowners insurance." It provides a property policy and may offer optional theft and personal liability coverage.

Since 2017, Kansas law (the FAIR plan act, K.S.A. 40-2142) says the plan's purpose is to make basic property and casualty insurance available to people who are "in good faith entitled to, but who are unable to, procure such coverage through the voluntary market." Its policies run for one year, on forms and rates approved by the Insurance Commissioner.

Contacts, claims and more on our Kansas FAIR Plan page. [1][4][10]

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

KDOI's Home and Renters Shopper's Guide sets out the rules this way:

The 30-day cancellation notice comes from Kansas regulation K.A.R. 40-3-15: fire and casualty policies that let the insurer cancel must promise written notice "at least 30 days in advance of the effective date of cancellation," and the notice must say clearly that the policy is being cancelled. The regulation does not apply to cancellation for nonpayment.

Reasons in writing. Kansas law (K.S.A. 40-2,122) says any insurance company "shall provide to an insured a written explanation specifically detailing the reasons" it cancelled or denied renewal of your policy.

Claims and your record. KDOI says each company's underwriting guidelines "are not filed with the Kansas Department of Insurance." Common factors include the condition of your home, a "leaky or poorly maintained roof," and the "number of claims in the past seven to ten years."

The longer, 60-day nonrenewal notice in K.S.A. 40-2,121 applies only to policies "used primarily for business or professional needs," not to a typical homeowners policy.

If you think the notice was late or the reason is wrong, contact KDOI (see "Where to get help" below). See also our nonrenewal guide. [1][2][3][11]

Hail, roofs and discounts

Wind and hail deductibles. KDOI says most homeowner policies "have a separate wind/hail deductible that is generally one to two percent of the amount of insurance carried on the structure." The deductible for all other perils "is usually a dollar limit." Your declarations page shows yours.

Discounts. KDOI says not all companies offer the same discounts. Possible discounts it lists include a home security system, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers or "a fire-retardant roof." Ask your agent which ones your company offers.

No state roof grant or FORTIFIED discount law. Kansas has no state grant program or law requiring discounts for FORTIFIED (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) roofs that we could find. The Kansas Legislature's 2025-2026 subject index lists no bill on FORTIFIED roofs, hail or wind mitigation. See our FORTIFIED roof guide for how the standard works.

New 2026 law on assignment of benefits. Senate Bill 55, signed by the Governor in 2026, says a "person" (as Kansas insurance law defines it: an entity in the business of insurance, including agents, brokers and adjusters) "shall not solicit or accept an assignment" of post-loss benefits under a residential property insurance policy. An assignment agreement hands those benefits to or from someone "inspecting, protecting, repairing, restoring or replacing the property." The law makes such agreements "null and void" and treats a violation as an unfair or deceptive practice. Assignments to a mortgage lender, a federally insured financial institution or a later buyer of the home are still allowed, and the ban doesn't apply to liability coverage. The law takes effect on publication in the statute book.

After a storm, KDOI's claims advice includes: make temporary repairs to prevent more damage and keep receipts, because "If you make permanent repairs before the insurance company inspects the damage, your claim may be denied." [1][4][12][13][14]

Surplus lines: what's different

Surplus lines (also called excess lines) insurers are not licensed ("admitted") in Kansas but may be used through a specially licensed agent. Kansas law (K.S.A. 40-246b) says:

- Each year the agent must file a sworn statement that, "after diligent effort," it could not get the coverage from admitted companies. "Mere rate differential" is not a reason to use a surplus lines insurer when an admitted one would take the risk at a different rate. - Before placing the policy, the agent must get your written consent and tell you that the insurer's financial condition, forms, rates and trade practices are not reviewed by the Commissioner, and that guaranty association protection does not apply. - The policy itself must be stamped that the insured "is not protected by any guaranty fund."

KDOI keeps a list of eligible surplus lines insurers (K.S.A. 40-246e). More in our surplus lines guide. [15][16]

Flood is a separate policy

KDOI's shopper's guide says "All homeowner and property insurance policies exclude damage from flood or rising water." Flood insurance comes from the National Flood Insurance Program, which KDOI does not regulate. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [1][5]

Where to get help

KDOI's Consumer Assistance Division helps with insurance problems:

- Consumer Hotline: (800) 432-2484 (in Kansas only) or (785) 296-3071 (out-of-state callers). - File a complaint online through the KDOI complaint page, or email the completed complaint form to KDOI.complaints@ks.gov. Have your policy or claim number and the name of the company or agent ready. - Mail: Kansas Department of Insurance, 1300 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604.

KDOI says an insurance company "has 10 days to respond to communications and 30 days to determine if the loss is covered," and if it needs more time to investigate it must send you a letter explaining why every 45 days. It also notes "There are no provisions requiring a company to pay your claim within a certain amount of time." [4][5][6][17]

Questions people ask