Car insurance in Nevada

Auto insurance in the Silver State is higher than the nation as a whole. For a full coverage policy, you can expect to pay $2,060 yearly on average. That’s more than the U.S. average of $1,897. Policies that only meet Nevada’s requirements for minimum coverage are also more expensive on average than for the U.S. as a whole, $720 versus $503 per year.

According to a study by the Insurance Research Council, an industry organization, one reason insurance rates in Nevada are relatively high is the higher-than-average number of underinsured motorists. These drivers opt for only the state’s minimum liability coverage, which may be inadequate for the costs of a major at-fault accident.

There are ways to save on auto insurance as a Nevada driver, including shopping for insurers and comparing rates regularly, taking advantage of every discount available and being a smart, safe driver.

Key highlights

• In Nevada, drivers must carry liability insurance with coverage limits of at least 25/50/20.
• On average, state minimum coverage costs $720 per year in Nevada.
• Full coverage policies average $2,060 per year in the state.

Understanding car insurance requirements in Nevada

Like most states, Nevada's laws require drivers to obtain liability insurance. All drivers must have policies that meet the following coverage minimums:

• Bodily injury liability, per person per accident: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability, per accident, total: $50,000
• Property damage liability, per incident: $25,000

These liability requirements — typically written as 25/50/20 — are only the minimum. Depending on your vehicle and assets, you may need a more substantial policy with higher coverage limits and collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.

In Nevada, you must always have current insurance, and there is no grace period. A single day's lapse of coverage can result in a suspension of your driver’s license and legal or financial penalties.

Average cost of car insurance in Nevada

Nevada is a top state for tourism, so many drivers are unfamiliar with the roads. It also has a high percentage of underinsured drivers. As a result, car insurance in Nevada is expensive; on average, drivers pay $720 per year for state minimum coverage, about $217 more than the national average.

If you opt for higher liability limits or full coverage policies, the cost is even higher. On average, full coverage policies in Nevada cost $2,060 per year. See more rates in the table below.

How to find cheap auto insurance in Nevada

State minimum coverage in Nevada is about 43% more expensive than the national average, but there are ways to reduce your premiums:

• Look for telematics-based policies. If you’re willing to have your driving habits tracked, you may be able to save 10% to 15%.
• Take a safe-driving course. In Nevada, insurers must give a three-year premium reduction to drivers 55 and older who complete an approved program.
• Talk to an agent. If you have an insurance agent, ask about available discounts. You may qualify for premium reductions by bundling your car insurance with a homeowners or renter's policy, paying for coverage annually or installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle.
• Shop around for a better rate. If you haven't shopped for car insurance in a while, remember that sticking with one insurer for years could be a costly mistake. Premiums can vary by insurer, so switching insurers could help you save money.

Car insurance rates, by company, in Nevada

Shopping for insurance can allow you to save hundreds each year. The difference between the most expensive insurer — CSAA — and the cheapest — State Farm — is substantial in Nevada. Full coverage policies average $3,651 with CSAA, while State Farm's average premium is less than half.

The rates below were collected from auto insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single, 40-year-old male and female drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on their record for the following: state minimum liability insurance, standard liability with coverage limits of 50/100/500, and full coverage with liability limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible.

Comparing car insurance quotes in Nevada

When shopping for car insurance in Nevada, you'll find that rates vary based on your location, age, driving record and credit history, among other factors. For example, teens will pay more than three times the state average for coverage, while young adults under 24 will pay about 50% more. The table below breaks down the average costs for auto insurance in Nevada:

Nevada car insurance cost by city

In Nevada, where you live has a major role in determining how much you pay for car insurance. Unsurprisingly, drivers in Las Vegas — the state's largest city — pay the highest premiums, averaging $2,594 annually.

Those in more suburban or rural areas pay much less. Drivers in Fernley, a city with approximately 23,000 residents on the outskirts of Reno/Sparks, pay an average of $1,687 per year—about 17% less than the state average.

Frequently asked questions

How can I save on car insurance in Nevada?

If you live and drive in Nevada, there are several ways to spend less on insurance for your vehicle:

• Increase your deductible. Increasing the amount that you must pay out-of-pocket before your collision or comprehensive insurance kicks in — such as adjusting it to $1,000 from $500 — can decrease your premiums. Before doing this, make sure you can afford the greater expense in the event of a claim.
• Adjust your coverage. If you have an older car, particularly if it’s owned outright, you may want to consider reducing or dropping collision and comprehensive coverage in favor of a liability-only policy.
• Ask about discounts. Bundling your auto and dwelling insurance is one of the better-known strategies for savings (up to 25%, depending on the carrier). But don’t overlook lesser discounts, such as savings aimed at specific professions like teachers or switching to a pay-per-mile program
• Shop around. Insurance needs change regularly. Experts suggest shopping for new coverage every six to 12 months and getting quotes from at least three different carriers. Be sure that you’re comparing quotes for equivalent coverage levels and deductibles.

Is Nevada a no-fault state?

Nevada isn't a no-fault state. If you're in an accident and found to be at-fault, you'll be responsible for the injuries and damages of the other drivers and their passengers.

Methodology

Editors collected rate information from auto insurance comparison site CarInsurance.com for single, 40-year-old male and female drivers of a 2023 Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violations on their record for full coverage insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible.

In addition, we also calculated rates for these hypothetical drivers, but with one or more of the following on their record: speeding ticket, at-fault accident, DUI/DWI, poor credit history, or a lapse in coverage.

We analyzed more than 53 million quotes, over 34,000 ZIP codes, and 170 insurance companies nationwide.

Note: 100/300/100 means up to $100,000 for the medical bills of those you injure, up to $300,000 per accident for bodily injury liability for all persons injured in one accident, and $100,000 to repair other drivers’ cars and property you damage.