Car Insurance in Nevada

Nevada Car Insurance

Nevada car insurance law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance and validates all drivers' insurance with an online verification system. Drivers who do not have valid auto insurance are subject to fines and other penalties.

Read below to find out more about required and optional car insurance, and ways to find affordable insurance in Nevada.

NV Car Insurance Requirements

Drivers in Nevada are required to have liability insurance.

Liability insurance pays for damage to another driver's car and any injuries resulting from a car accident for which you are found at fault.

Nevada drivers must carry the following coverage minimums:

  • $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person.*
  • $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident.*
  • $20,000 of property damage coverage.*

Auto insurance companies commonly list these limits as “15/30/10."

Most insurance companies offer higher coverage limits for more protection. Ask your insurance agent for car insurance quotes of different limits to find the best plan for you.

*NOTE: As of July 1, 2018, the coverage minimums will increase to:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury coverage per person.
  • $50,000 for bodily injury coverage per accident.
  • $20,000 of property damage coverage.

Vehicle Registration

You must provide the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with your insurance information:

NOTE: New residents must register a vehicle within 30 days of moving to NV.

When registering your vehicle, have your Nevada Evidence of Insurance card available so that you can provide your policy number and other relevant information. (This card is issued by your insurance company.)

Nevada uses an online verification system, Nevada LIVE, to verify the insurance information that you provide.

Optional NV Car Insurance

Optional coverage protects you and your car when:

  • You are at fault in a car accident.
  • No one is at fault for an accident.
  • You incur costs not covered by another driver's liability insurance.

Common optional coverages are available to NV drivers:

  • Collision coverage –Pays for accident-related damage to your vehicle.
  • Comprehensive coverage – Pays for damage to your vehicle caused by external factors like theft or severe weather.
  • Uninsured & underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) – Pays for damage/injury caused by uninsured drivers or those without adequate insurance to cover your costs.
  • Medical payments coverage – Pays medical expenses for you and your passengers.
  • Rental reimbursement coverage –Pays costs toward renting a car while your car is being repaired after an accident.
  • Towing and labor coverage – Pays for towing and roadside assistance.
  • Guaranteed asset protection (GAP) coverage – Pays the remainder of a car loan if the car is a total loss and you owe more than it is worth.

NOTE: If you are financing or leasing your car, you may be required to buy collision coverage and comprehensive coverage as part of your car agreement.

Driving Without Car Insurance

If you drive without car insurance in Nevada, your driver's license and vehicle registration can be suspended.

Notification of Suspended Car Insurance

The Nevada LIVE system checks the status of your car insurance throughout the year, including when you:

  • Register your vehicle.
  • Renew your vehicle registration.

If the system cannot verify your car insurance, you will receive a notification postcard from the NV DMV. You must respond within 15 days to avoid suspension of your vehicle registration.

Note that you may receive a notice when you change auto insurance companies.

To respond to the notification, go to the NV DMV online insurance verification page to input your valid insurance information.

You will receive EITHER:

  • Immediate confirmation that your car insurance information is valid and a follow-up confirmation letter.
    OR
  • A pending notification. The DMV will request your car insurance records from your insurer.

You will receive a certified letter to notify you of your vehicle registration suspension IF:

  • You do not respond to the initial notification within 15 days.
    OR
  • Your insurance company does not respond to the DMV's request within 20 days.

If your registration is suspended, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee of $251 for a first offense.

Insurance Violation Penalties

The penalties for driving without insurance are based on:

  • The duration of the lapse in your car insurance.
  • The number of insurance violations you have had.

The penalties for driving without car insurance in NV include:

  • Reinstatement fees varying from $251 to $750 depending on your number of insurance violations.
  • Fines of up to $1000 depending on how long you went without auto insurance.
  • SR22 insurance for 3 years if you did not have insurance for 91 days or more, regardless of how many violations you have had.
  • Driver's license suspension for a minimum of 30 days if it is your third violation for driving without car insurance, regardless of the length of the lapse.

If you cause an accident resulting in more than $750 in damage while uninsured, you can have your driver's license and vehicle registration automatically suspended or revoked.

More information about the penalties for driving without car insurance in Nevada is available on the NVDMV page.

SR22

SR22s are required for Nevada insurance violations of 91 days or more and may be required for other violations such as drunk driving (DUI).

The SR22 is not insurance but rather is a guarantee that you will be insured for a certain period of time. In Nevada, the SR22 is required for 3 years.

An SR22 is also known as proof of financial responsibility. Your insurance company must file it with the NVDMV.

NOTE: If your SR22 lapses or is canceled, you may be required to begin the required period of 3 years again.

Driving Without Proof of Insurance

You must carry proof of auto insurance in your vehicle in the form of a Nevada Evidence of Insurance card issued by your insurance company.

Failure to present the Evidence of Insurance card to a police officer at a traffic stop or after an accident may result in a citation.

NV Car Insurance Regulation

Nevada car insurance is regulated by the Nevada Division of Insurance (DOI), which can help consumers with insurance questions and complaint resolution.

Questions or Complaints

To contact the NV DOI with questions about car insurance, call:

  • Northern Nevada: (775) 687-0700.
  • Southern Nevada: (702) 486-4009.

If you have an issue with an insurance company that cannot be resolved, you can file a formal complaint with the DOI online, by mail, or by fax.

  • Online by completing the online complaint form.
    • You will first need to create an account by providing your name and contact information.
  • By mail or fax:
    • Send the Consumer Complaint Form (DOI 310) to one of the regional office addresses or fax numbers published on the form.

NOTE: You may request that your complaint file be kept confidential from the public.

Car Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud is illegal and can cost you money by contributing to state and national insurance rate increases.

Car insurance fraud can include:

  • Filing a false claim.
  • Exaggerating a claim.
  • Staging a car accident.
  • Forging insurance documents.

If you suspect insurance fraud, you can report it to the Nevada Attorney General Office's by mail or telephone:

Nevada Car Insurance Rates

In Nevada, car insurance rates are determined by several factors. The car insurance quotes you receive from insurance companies may be based on your:

  • Driving record.
  • Age and gender.
  • Marital status.
  • Address.
  • Past claims.
  • Car's make and model.
  • Credit report.

You may also be eligible for discounts that will help you get affordable car insurance.

Credit Reporting and Auto Insurance

Car insurance companies may use your credit report to help determine your rating.

In Nevada, a car insurance company must inform you that they will use your credit information.

Not all insurance companies use credit history to determine rates. The Nevada DOI's List of Nevada Private Passenger Automobile Insurance Companies by Usage Status of Credit-Based Insurance Scoring provides more information about which companies use credit history and how they use it.

Traffic Violations and Car Insurance

Your driving record is a key factor that insurance companies use to set your car insurance rates.

Having traffic violations on your record can raise your rates because you are a greater risk to the insurance company.

Some violations that may result in increased rates include:

  • DUI.
  • Reckless driving.
  • Moving violations (e.g, speeding).

The best way to get the cheapest car insurance is to keep a clean driving record.

Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers

If you have a history of violations, accidents, or claims, you may be considered a high-risk driver and insurance companies may elect not to insure you.

If you are unable to obtain insurance, you can apply through the Nevada Automobile Insurance Plan (NAIP). This plan assigns high-risk drivers to licensed insurance companies.

For more information about the NAIP or to apply for car insurance from the NAIP, contact the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP):

  • By telephone: (800) 227-4659.
  • Via e-mail: waaip@aipso.com.

The WAAIP will connect you with an auto insurance company that is legally required to insure you.

NV Car Insurance Discounts

Car insurance companies in Nevada offer a range of rate discounts, including:

  • Multiple vehicles.
  • Multiple policies (e.g., home and car).
  • Safety and anti-theft devices.
  • Good driver.

Teens and drivers over 55 years old can also get special discounts for completing driving education courses.

To get the best car insurance quotes, be sure to:

  • Ask about discounts.
  • Drive safely to maintain a good driving record.
  • Always keep your insurance up to date.

Most Stolen Cars in Nevada

Driving a car that is a common target for theft can lead to higher car insurance rates.

The following is a list of the most stolen cars in Nevada for 2013, according to www.nicb.org:

  1. Honda Accord.
  2. Honda Civic.
  3. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size).
  4. Ford Pickup (Full Size).
  5. Toyota Camry.
  6. Dodge Pickup (Full Size).
  7. Nissan Altima.
  8. Nissan Sentra.
  9. Toyota Corolla.
  10. Saturn SI.
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