State
Life insurance in Kansas
Kansas life insurance rules: $300,000 guaranty protection on death benefits, a 10-day free look, a 30-day grace period and a strict misrepresentation rule.
Guaranty association protection
| Guaranty association | Kansas Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association |
|---|---|
| Life insurance death benefits | $300,000 |
| Cash surrender value | $100,000 |
| Annuity benefits | $250,000 |
| Health benefits | $500,000 hospital, medical and surgical; $300,000 disability; $300,000 long-term care; $100,000 other health |
| Overall limit | $300,000 per person ($500,000 for basic hospital, medical and surgical benefits) |
| Notes | Unallocated annuities and fraternal benefit society certificates are not covered; structured settlement annuities are covered to $250,000. |
| Website | kslifega.org |
Policy rules
| Free-look period | 10 days for non-variable life policies; 20 days for replacement policies (K.A.R. 40-2-15 and 40-2-12, per NAIC) |
|---|---|
| Grace period | Not less than 30 days for any premium after the first (K.S.A. 40-420) |
| Community property state | No |
Taxes
| State estate tax | No state estate tax |
|---|---|
| Inheritance tax | No |
Lost policies and unclaimed money
| Unclaimed property office | Kansas State Treasurer Unclaimed Property |
|---|---|
| Search unclaimed property | kansascash.ks.gov |
Regulator
| Insurance regulator | Kansas Department of Insurance |
|---|---|
| Consumer hotline | 800-432-2484 |
| Website | insurance.kansas.gov |
| Address | 1300 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604 |
How your policy is protected if an insurer fails
The Kansas Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association was created by the Kansas Legislature in 1972. All insurers licensed to sell life insurance, health insurance or annuities in Kansas must belong to it. If a member is found insolvent and ordered liquidated, the association protects Kansas residents' covered policies, up to limits in state law, using assessments on the other members. A financially sound insurer may take over the policies, or the association may continue them directly, issue replacements or join a plan with other states' associations. Keep paying premiums.
Limits from the association's FAQ, as of October 4, 2026, consistent with NOLHGA's chart (as of June 1, 2025), with the overall cap from the NAIC's summary of state guaranty laws:
| Coverage | Kansas limit |
|---|---|
| Life insurance death benefit | $300,000 |
| Life insurance cash surrender or withdrawal value | $100,000 |
| Annuities (withdrawal and cash values) | $250,000 |
| Hospital, medical and surgical insurance | $500,000 |
| Disability insurance and long-term care | $300,000 each |
| Other health insurance | $100,000 |
| Overall cap | $300,000 per person, however many policies; $500,000 for basic hospital, medical and surgical benefits |
The association's FAQ lists what it does not protect: insurers not licensed in Kansas, HMO contracts, mandatory state pooling plans, mutual assessment companies, fraternal benefit society certificates, and nonprofit hospital or medical service plans. It also excludes the non-guaranteed parts of variable products and unallocated annuity contracts. Payments can be delayed for months while a court sorts out a failed company, though the receiver may allow hardship payments.
The association is a nonprofit legal entity, not a state agency. Kansas law prohibits agents and insurers from using it in advertising or as an inducement to buy. It is no substitute for choosing a well-managed, financially stable insurer. See state life and health guaranty associations and what happens if your life insurance company fails.
Who regulates life insurance in Kansas
The Kansas Department of Insurance, led by an elected Insurance Commissioner, licenses insurers and agents, reviews policies, monitors insurer solvency and helps consumers with questions and complaints. The guaranty association suggests calling the department at 800-432-2484 to confirm that a company is licensed in Kansas, because only licensed insurers are association members.
Free look, grace periods and policy rules
- Free look: Kansas regulations require a 10-day free-look period for non-variable life policies and 20 days when a new policy replaces existing coverage, according to the NAIC's state chart of life insurance disclosure laws (Fall 2023). The period is printed on your policy. See the free-look period: returning a policy for a refund.
- Grace period: K.S.A. 40-420 requires a grace period of at least 30 days for every premium after the first. The policy stays in full force during it. If the insured dies during the grace period, the overdue premium, and any remaining installments of that year's premium, can be deducted from the benefit.
- Notice before cancellation: K.S.A. 40-410 and 40-411 generally bar an insurer, other than a fraternal, from cancelling a policy for nonpayment within six months after a missed premium unless it first gives written notice. The policyowner then has 30 days after the notice is mailed to pay. Insurers can instead send an advance premium notice, and some policies with weekly, biweekly or monthly premiums are treated differently.
- Misstatements on the application: K.S.A. 40-418 favors beneficiaries. A misrepresentation made to obtain a life policy is not material and does not void the policy unless the misrepresented matter actually contributed to the death. See what happens if you lie on a life insurance application.
Taxes, estates and community property
Kansas has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax can apply, with a $15,000,000 per-person exclusion in 2026, according to the IRS. Kansas is not a community property state.
Finding a lost policy or unclaimed benefits
Submit a free request through the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator. Participating insurers search their records and contact the beneficiary if they find a policy. Then search the Kansas State Treasurer's unclaimed property site for life insurance proceeds that were turned over to the state. See how to find a lost life insurance policy and unclaimed life insurance money and state unclaimed property.
Where to get help
- Kansas Department of Insurance: 800-432-2484 toll-free or 785-296-3071; [email protected]; 1300 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604; insurance.kansas.gov. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.
- File a complaint: contact the insurer first. If that fails, use the complaint process on the department's website or call the toll-free line, and keep copies of your policy, letters and claim records. See how to file a complaint against a life insurer.
- Guaranty association: Kansas Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association, 534 South Kansas Avenue, Suite 1410, Topeka, KS 66603; 785-271-1199.
Neighboring states: Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado.
Sources
- kslifega.org/FAQ
- kslifega.org/Contact
- nolhga.com/policyholders/how-youre-protected/
- content.naic.org/sites/default/files/model-law-chart-in-10-life-and-health-guaranty-fund…
- content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-ins-ou-insurance-directory.pdf
- ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_004_0020.html
- ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_004_0018.html
- ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_004_0010.html
- ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch40/040_004_0011.html
- content.naic.org/sites/default/files/model-law-chart-li-30-life-insurance-disclosure-pro…
- kansascash.ks.gov/
- irs.gov/publications/p555
- eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/#/welcome
Rules and limits were checked against these sources on the review date below. Laws change - confirm with the state insurance department or guaranty association.
Profile last reviewed October 4, 2026