Nevada Car Insurance

Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Nevada

Chances are when you think about Nevada, the glittering lights of Las Vegas come to mind. Or maybe, it’s the breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe. But there’s plenty more to this state that includes the mountainous Sierra Nevada range on the western border with California, as well as the arid reaches of the Mojave Desert in the southwest.

Nevada is the seventh largest state based on area, but also one of the least populated. It has the dubious pleasure of being the driest state, but also features cold and wet weather the closer you get to the mountains. The very word “Nevada” means snow-capped in Spanish. These “snow mountains” serve as the primary source of water for Nevada’s thirsty residents.

If you visit the Silver State, you’ll want to stop in and try your luck on the Las Vegas strip (or just people watch). If this isn’t your idea of fun, you can hike through the Valley of Fire State Park to inspect fascinating sandstone outcroppings, petrified trees and 2,000-year-old petroglyphs left by those who lived here before. Hoover Dam is a big tourist draw that enthralls visitors with its sheer size. Some of the country’s best snow skiing and water sports are also found in Nevada, so check out Mt. Rose for one of the best small ski areas in the country and visit Sand Harbor to find an actual beach with SCUBA diving, swimming, kayaking and fishing.

When traveling in Nevada as a tourist or a resident, don’t forget to bring your affordable car insurance. Nevada requires drivers to be insured. If you want to find the best auto coverage for a reasonable price, let InsureOne’s expert agents help you.

How Much Does Car Insurance in Nevada Cost?

On average, drivers in Nevada pay $973 annually for the state-required minimum liability insurance and $2,779 for full coverage. Nationwide, average costs are $565 for minimum and $1,771 for full coverage. In most cases, the state minimum is just liability, which includes bodily injury and property damage, and only helps pay for those affected in a wreck you cause.

Those who want more protection may increase those limits or choose full coverage, which includes liability plus comprehensive and collision. This type of coverage helps pay for your own repairs and bills, no matter who is at fault.

Why are Auto Insurance Quotes so Expensive in Nevada?

There are several items that can make one state more expensive than another when it comes to purchasing car insurance. In Nevada, although there isn’t as much population, what there is tends to be congregated in a few urban centers, leading to more congestion and wrecks.

Nevada falls 10th out of all the states for car theft. Not the highest for car theft but not far enough from the top for it not to affect rates. Insurers look at these numbers when deciding on their pricing.

Overall, it’s expensive to own a car in Nevada – in fact, the second most expensive state in the country for costs associated with vehicle ownership. In 2022, the cost of insurance premiums, property taxes, fuel prices and maintenance costs put Nevadans 27% above the national average for vehicle ownership costs at a whopping $6,315.

With that in mind, you may be looking for some ways to save money if you live in Nevada. Reach out to your local InsureOne agent to find out how we can find great coverage at a price that won’t be the second highest anywhere!

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Nevada

If you live in a more remote section of Nevada you’ll likely pay less for your policy than someone who lives in one of the larger, more congested areas. Here’s a chart that compares some of the prices for policies in different cities.

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Las Vegas	$254	$87
Reno	$150	$49
Carson City	$132	$42
Sun Valley	$147	$48
Battle Mountain	$130	$39

We arrive at our average auto insurance costs by using a male driver, aged 30 with a clean driving record. Minimum liability is the state-required minimum. Full coverage is a 100K/300K/100K policy. Your costs will be different and based on your individual factors.

What Types of Auto Discounts are Available in Nevada?

Besides bundling multiple policies, there are additional ways you can save money on your policy. For example, you can choose a higher deductible for a lower premium. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of other discounts, as well.

• Good Driver Discount – Be a good driver. We know you already are, but drivers with no tickets, accidents or claims in a 3-5 year period can receive anywhere from 10-30% off.
• Defensive Driving Discount – Take a defensive driving course. This is especially pertinent to young drivers, as well as senior drivers and is usually worth a 5% discount.
• Military Discount – Current and former military members are always offered a price reduction to say thanks for their service. This can be anywhere from 15% active duty in the country to 90% deployed.
• New Car Discount – Buy a new car. Having a new car with all of the latest safety features can net you about 10% off your plan.

Of course, there are many more discounts available. Check with your agent anytime your circumstances change and at least once a year when you renew (loyalty discount anyone?).

Nevada Car Insurance Laws

As with all states, Nevada requires drivers to have insurance. As an at-fault state (or tort state), drivers are assigned blame in a car accident, so those who cause a wreck can be sued for injuries and damages. Your insurance helps protect you from that by helping to pay for the results if you are at fault. However, your liability insurance will not compensate you for any of your own injuries or damages.

What are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Nevada?

Nevada only requires liability. This consists of bodily injury/death and property damage. In Nevada, drivers must have at least:

• $25,000 bodily injury/death liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury/death liability per accident
• $20,000 property damage

It’s not much when you think about the costs associated with a bad wreck. Today’s vehicles are usually worth more than $20,000, so if you happen to total someone’s car, you may be on the hook for anything over that amount. This is why some people choose to increase their coverage levels.

What is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Nevada?

Be aware that the state of Nevada is very proactive when it comes to making sure every registered vehicle has at least the mandated amount of coverage – or a good reason why not. If your coverage lapses, you may receive a certified notice in the mail from the state DMV asking you to verify that your car is covered. This notice will warn you that your vehicle’s registration is on the verge of being suspended. Those who receive a citation for driving without insurance or who do not comply with the letter may face penalties, including:

• First offense: Fees of $250, fines of up to $1,250 and an SR-22 certificate requirement if insurance is not procured within 90 days of notice.
• Second offense within 5 years: Fees of $500, fines up to $1,000 and an SR-22 requirement after 90 days.
• Third offense within 5 years: Fees of $750, fines of up to $1,000, an SR-22 requirement and a suspension of driver’s license for a minimum of 30 days.

Remember, if you receive an SR-22 certificate requirement from the state, your insurance rates may double or even triple. Insurance companies are required to notify the state in real time anytime someone’s coverage lapses or is canceled.

What Factors Does Nevada Law Allow in Determining Your Premiums?

Nevada consumers recently celebrated a win in the courts when the Supreme Court upheld a ban on insurance companies using credit scores to increase insurance premiums – at least until May 2024. Some states have already banned this practice. But even without your credit score, your insurance company’s underwriters plug a multitude of individual factors into their mathematical formulas to arrive at your unique rate. Some of these factors include:

• Age
• Gender
• Driving History/Record
• Location
• Job Title
• Coverage Limits/Deductibles
• Vehicle Specifics

You cannot do much about your age, gender or location, but you can drive safely and accumulate a good driving record.

What is Driving Like in Nevada?

Nevada consists of a multitude of driving conditions, although for the most part, drivers don’t have to deal with major storms. Those who live and drive in the north will need to contend with snow and ice during winter months, while those further south will experience hot and dry conditions in the summer months. In 2020, the American Society for Civil Engineers gave the state a grade of C for its roads, mostly due to poor roads and bridges in rural areas.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Nevada?

In 2020, Nevada had 317 fatalities from 293 crashes. Impaired driving was found to be a factor in 123 of those crashes, while distracted driving was a factor in nine. Pedestrians accounted for 79 of the fatalities, while young drivers numbered 39 fatalities. In 2021, the number of fatalities went up slightly to 349.

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists are in Nevada?

Nevada ranks 32 in number of uninsured drivers on the road. Although it’s not required in Nevada, uninsured motorist coverage Is usually pretty cheap for the amount of protection it provides if you are involved in a hit and run or an accident with a driver that has no insurance.