Nevada law mandates that all motorists carry auto insurance when operating or parking a vehicle on public roadways.
Nevada Minimum Requirements
Like many states, Nevada requires drivers to maintain a minimum level of car insurance coverage. It is important to note that while these minimums meet legal requirements, relying solely on them can leave you vulnerable to significant financial risk if you’re involved in an accident. The expenses from a car accident can easily surpass the minimum coverage limits, leaving the at-fault driver responsible for additional costs out-of-pocket.
Nevada’s minimum car insurance requirements are:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $20,000 per accident
Consequences of Driving Without Insurance
Driving without the required auto insurance in Nevada can lead to serious penalties. There is no grace period. Even a single day without coverage can result in registration suspension and a reinstatement fee of at least $251. The severity of punishments escalates based on the number of offenses and the duration of the lapse in coverage. Penalties for driving without insurance can include fines, reinstatement fees, potential for an SR-22 filing, and even license suspension.
Here’s a breakdown of the penalties:
- First Offense:
- Lapse of 30 days or less:
- Reinstatement Fee: $251
- Fine: $0
- SR-22: No
- Total: $251
- Lapse of 31-90 days:
- Reinstatement Fee: $251
- Fine: $250
- SR-22: No
- Total: $501
- Lapse of 91-180 days:
- Reinstatement Fee: $251
- Fine: $500
- SR-22: Yes
- Total: $751
- Lapse of 181 days or more:
- Reinstatement Fee: $251
- Fine: $1000
- SR-22: Yes
- Total: $1251
- Lapse of 30 days or less:
- Second Offense:
- Lapse of 30 days or less:
- Reinstatement Fee: $501
- Fine: $0
- SR-22: No
- Total: $501
- Lapse of 31-90 days:
- Reinstatement Fee: $501
- Fine: $500
- SR-22: No
- Total: $1001
- Lapse of 91-180 days:
- Reinstatement Fee: $501
- Fine: $500
- SR-22: Yes
- Total: $1001
- Lapse of 181 days or more:
- Reinstatement Fee: $501
- Fine: $1000
- SR-22: Yes
- Total: $1501
- Lapse of 30 days or less:
- Third Offense:
- Lapse of 30 days or less:
- Reinstatement Fee: $751
- Fine: $0
- SR-22: Yes
- License Suspension: 30 days
- Total: $751
- Lapse of 30-90 days:
- Reinstatement Fee: $751
- Fine: $500
- SR-22: Yes
- License Suspension: 30 days
- Total: $1251
- Lapse of 91 – 180 days:
- Reinstatement Fee: $751
- Fine: $750
- SR-22: Yes
- License Suspension: 30 days
- Total: $1501
- Lapse of 181 days or more:
- Reinstatement Fee: $751
- Fine: $1000
- SR-22: Yes
- License Suspension: 30 days
- Total: $1751
- Lapse of 30 days or less:
Canceling Your Car Insurance
To avoid a lapse in coverage, follow these steps if you decide to cancel your existing auto insurance policy. If the cancellation is due to a non-operational vehicle, begin by canceling the registration online through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you’ve sold your vehicle, remove the license plates and then cancel your Nevada registration.
If you cancel your registration before its expiration date, you could receive a credit towards the registration of your next vehicle, equal to the remaining time. In certain instances, a full refund may be an option.
If you have personalized license plates, you’ll need to visit the DMV in person to transfer them to your new vehicle.
Nevada Car Insurance Coverage Options
While liability insurance is legally mandated, Nevada drivers have many other choices to protect themselves and their assets.
Several optional coverage types are available, including:
- Collision: Collision insurance covers repair or replacement costs if you collide with another vehicle or a stationary object.
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist: This covers expenses in instances where the at-fault driver lacks insurance or has inadequate coverage.
- Medical Payments: Regardless of fault, this coverage assists with medical bills, loss of services, child care, and in the unfortunate event of a death, funeral expenses.
- Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage pays for damages from things outside the driver’s control, such as weather events, theft, vandalism, or hitting an animal.
- Gap Insurance: If you have financed your vehicle, gap insurance covers the difference between the car’s actual cash value and the remaining loan balance if the car is totaled.
- Roadside Assistance: This optional coverage offers reimbursement for services such as locksmiths, refueling, and towing.
- Rental Reimbursement: This coverage reimburses you for the cost of a rental vehicle when yours is in the shop, and the repair will take longer than 24 hours.
Nevada’s Fault-Based System
Nevada operates under a fault-based system for determining responsibility after a traffic accident. This means that the driver deemed responsible for the accident is financially liable for damages, injuries, lost income, and any other expenses associated with the crash. Therefore, the at-fault driver’s insurance is required to cover the damages up to the policy limits. Any additional costs beyond the policy limits must be paid out-of-pocket by the at-fault driver.
It is important to remember that insurance rates vary based on numerous factors, including age, credit score, gender, marital status, and the type of vehicle you drive. Shopping around with different insurance providers, like getting an online quote, is the easiest way to find the best deal.
