Quick answer: In Kansas, you generally have 2 years to file a property damage lawsuit. The clock starts: date of damage. Governing statute: Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4).

Data last reviewed: October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Filing Deadline
2 Years
to file suit in Kansas
Official Statute
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4)
state statute
Clock Starts
Date of damage
see exceptions below
Exceptions
0
documented exceptions

Kansas Property Damage — Quick Reference

Filing Deadline
2 Years
Official Statute
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4)
Clock Starts On
Date of damage
Last Reviewed
2026
Notes: Two years for damage to personal property.

The Kansas Property Damage Rule — Explained

Kansas law requires property damage plaintiffs to file suit within 2 years of the date of damage, as established by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4). Failing to file before this deadline will almost certainly result in the court dismissing your case — regardless of how strong your evidence is or how clear the defendant's liability may be.

For property damage, the clock typically starts on the date the damage occurred. Some states apply the discovery rule for damage that wasn't immediately apparent — such as slow water damage or hidden structural damage. The clock runs from when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the damage.

Two years for damage to personal property.

⚠️ Government Claims: Property damage caused by government entities or employees requires filing an administrative Notice of Claim within a short window — often 60–180 days. This applies to damage from government vehicles, road maintenance, utilities, and similar situations.

Kansas property damage deadline: worked examples

If the clock starts onLast day to file (general rule)
March 15, 2025March 15, 2027
September 1, 2025September 1, 2027
January 15, 2026January 15, 2028
July 1, 2026July 1, 2028

Examples assume the full 2 years applies with no tolling or special accrual rule. Deadlines that fall on a weekend or court holiday are often extended to the next business day, but do not count on it. Use the calculator on this page for your own date.

Kansas Property Damage — Exceptions & Tolling Rules

State-Specific Exceptions (Kansas)

  • No major exceptions are documented for this case type in Kansas. However, general tolling rules (minors, discovery rule) may still apply in specific circumstances. Consult an attorney.

General Tolling Rules That May Apply

  • Minors: In most states, the clock is paused while the victim is under 18. The limitations period typically begins running on the victim's 18th birthday.
  • Mental incapacity: If the claimant was legally incapacitated at the time of the injury, the clock may be tolled until capacity is restored.
  • Fraudulent concealment: If the defendant actively hid their wrongdoing, courts may extend the deadline under equitable tolling principles.
  • Absence of the defendant: If the defendant left Kansas after the incident, the limitations period may be tolled during their absence.

What Does Property Damage Cover? (Kansas)

The 2-year deadline in Kansas applies to the following types of property damage claims:

  • Vehicle damage in car accidents
  • Fire damage caused by another's negligence
  • Water damage from a neighbor's property
  • Vandalism and intentional destruction of property
  • Construction damage to adjacent buildings
  • Pet or animal damage to property
  • Damage by trespassers or intruders
  • Contractor damage or defective workmanship
  • Utility company damage to property

If your claim falls outside these categories, a different statute of limitations may apply. An attorney can confirm which deadline governs your specific situation.

What to Do: Filing a Property Damage Claim in Kansas

1

Document all damage thoroughly

Photograph and video the damage immediately, before any repairs. Get professional estimates. Keep all receipts for repairs, replacement, and related costs.

2

File an insurance claim

Your homeowner's, renter's, or auto insurance may cover the damage while you pursue reimbursement from the responsible party. Filing with insurance does not waive your right to sue.

3

Preserve the damaged property

If possible, preserve the damaged property until your attorney or an expert witness can inspect it. Disposing of damaged evidence too early can hurt your case.

4

Identify and document the responsible party

Establish clearly who caused the damage — their identity, contact information, and insurance. Witness statements and security footage are valuable.

5

Send a written demand letter

Before filing suit, demand payment for the cost of repair or replacement. Many property damage claims are resolved without going to court.

6

File suit within the property damage deadline

If the insurance claim or demand is denied, file a lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations for property damage in your state.

Important: You must file your complaint with the court — not just send a demand letter — before the 2-year deadline expires. Filing the lawsuit is what legally stops the statute of limitations clock.

Property Damage Deadlines: Kansas vs. Neighboring States

StateYears to FileStatuteClock Starts
Kansas ★2 yrKan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4)Date of damage
Colorado2 yrColo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101Date of damage
Missouri5 yrMo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4)Date of damage
Nebraska4 yrNeb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207Date of damage
Oklahoma2 yrOkla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3)Date of damage

★ = Kansas. The state where the injury or incident occurred — not where you live — typically determines which statute of limitations applies.

How Kansas compares nationally

Kansas's 2 years deadline for property damage claims is longer than 1 and shorter than 38 of the other jurisdictions; 11 others match it. Nationally the period runs from 1 year to 10 years (median 3 years; average 3.7 years). In the Midwest the average is 4.5 years across 12 jurisdictions.

See all 12 jurisdictions with a 2 years property damage deadline → · Property Damage in all states →

Calculate Your Kansas Property Damage Deadline

Pre-filled with Kansas and Property Damage. Just enter the date of your incident.

Frequently Asked Questions — Kansas Property Damage

In Kansas, you have 2 years to file a property damage claim, measured from the date of damage. This deadline is set by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4). If you do not file within this window, your case will almost certainly be dismissed.

The clock starts on the Date of damage. Two years for damage to personal property.

No state-specific exceptions are formally documented for this claim type in Kansas, though general tolling rules for minors and mental incapacity may still apply. Consult an attorney.

If you miss the 2-year deadline, the defendant will file a motion to dismiss based on the expired statute of limitations. Courts virtually always grant such motions. Your case will be dismissed with prejudice — meaning permanently — regardless of how strong your evidence is. Always consult an attorney as soon as possible after an injury.

The standard rule in Kansas starts the clock on the date of damage. A discovery rule modification may apply in limited circumstances. Consult an attorney if you believe the standard start date is unfair in your situation.

Kansas's 2-year deadline for property damage claims is longer than 1 and shorter than 38 of the other jurisdictions. Across all states and D.C., property damage deadlines range from 1 year to 10 years.

If a city, county, state agency, or other government entity is responsible, you typically must file a Notice of Claim with the agency within a much shorter period — often 60–180 days. Missing this notice requirement can permanently bar your claim even before the main statute of limitations expires. Consult an attorney immediately if any government entity is involved.

Possibly, but it is difficult. You would need to demonstrate that a tolling doctrine applies — such as the discovery rule, minority tolling, or fraudulent concealment. An attorney can evaluate whether any exception extends your deadline. Do not assume your claim is dead until you have spoken with a licensed Kansas attorney.

Terms used on this page

Accrual
Accrual is the moment a legal claim is considered to "begin" for deadline purposes, usually the date of injury or breach, though some states start the clock later.
Discovery rule
A rule that delays the start of the clock until the plaintiff knew, or reasonably should have known, about the harm and its cause.
Tolling
A legal pause or extension of the filing deadline, for example while a plaintiff is a minor or the defendant hides the wrong.
Notice of claim
A written notice that many states require before suing a government body, often with a much shorter deadline than the main statute.

Open the full legal glossary →

Cite or share this page

StatuteLimits.com. "Kansas Property Damage Statute of Limitations (2026)." Reviewed October 2026. https://www.statutelimits.com/states/kansas/property-damage

Other Filing Deadlines in Kansas

Property Damage Deadlines in Other States

View all 50 states + D.C. → Property Damage Deadlines

Don't Risk Missing Your Kansas Deadline

The property damage statute of limitations in Kansas is strict. Missing the 2-year deadline permanently ends your right to sue — regardless of how strong your case is. Tolling rules, government notice requirements, and recent law changes can all affect your actual deadline.

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⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page provides general legal information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. Always verify the current law with official state sources and consult a licensed attorney before making any legal decisions.