Car Insurance In Nevada 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

As a former resident of Nevada and with 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, I’ve seen how car insurance requirements can change not only from one state to another but over time. For residents or people who’ve just moved to the state, this guide will provide everything you need to know to confidently choose the best auto insurance in Nevada.

Does Nevada Require Car Insurance?

Yes, Nevada requires that all drivers maintain liability car insurance and that they carry proof of that insurance, which can be presented upon request at any time. Minimum coverage amounts usually referred to as 25/50/20 refer to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for any bodily injuries or debts that are caused to other drivers and passengers, as well as $20,000 per accident for any property damage.

Note: Nevada is an at-fault state, so whichever driver is at fault for an accident has to cover the damages and injuries of the other parties, and state minimums might not be enough to do this.

Insurance providers in Nevada are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but you don’t legally have to purchase it as a driver. Still, it might be worth considering.

How Much Insurance Should You Get In Nevada?

While there are state minimums mentioned above, there are several additional coverages that might be recommended based on the extreme weather that Nevada experiences, the high rates of uninsured motorists, and the road risks in certain cities like Las Vegas.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

As mentioned, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage might be worth considering, given that Nevada has historically high levels of uninsured drivers with an average of 11% of motorists lacking any insurance at all. Even if other drivers have insurance, they might only have state minimums, so this type of additional coverage can protect you and your medical costs or lost wages if you get into an accident caused by another driver, and that driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover those costs.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage might also be worth considering, as it’s the only form of protection that you can have against non-collision damage like extreme weather, tire blowouts, flash flooding, vehicle theft, and vandalism. All of these are quite common in Nevada’s desert climate and major urban centers.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage can pay for any damages to your car if you hit another object, no matter who was at fault. Drivers who live in or near Las Vegas are at risk of accidents with particularly high frequency, at 56 crashes per day. High levels of tourism and high speeds throughout many of the major highways increase this risk.

Roadside Assistance

Policyholders in Nevada can add roadside assistance as an additional form of protection. With a lot of isolated desert stretches in between major cities, and the high risk of triple-digit heat, this can help cover you when you need long-distance towing, when you struggle with a dead battery, or deal with a flat tire in an otherwise remote part of the state.

How Much Is Car Insurance In Nevada?

The average cost of minimum coverage car insurance in Nevada for 2025 was between $720 to $1,848 annually (~$154/month). The average cost of full coverage was between $2,820 annually (~$235/month).

These costs, however, will vary based on your driver profile and the type of coverage you want. Below are some additional factors and their respective costs for insurance in Nevada:

• Non-owner Car Insurance: Drivers in the state who don’t own a car but still want non-owner liability coverage can expect to pay between $29 and $47 per month, depending on the company.
• Temporary Car Insurance: Some drivers use a short-term policy, typically a 6-month term, to cover insurance requirements temporarily, which averages around $164 per month.
• Senior Car Insurance (Age 65+): Nevada seniors have some of the most affordable rates in the area, with annual averages for full coverage at $936 and annual averages for minimum state coverage at $461.
• Teen Car Insurance: By comparison, teenagers have the highest premiums, with the average cost for annual coverage for a 16-year-old at $4,894.
• SR-22 Insurance: High-risk drivers and those required to maintain an SR-22 certificate can expect annual premiums between $2,127 and $2,816, depending on the insurer.
• College Students: College students, under 25, still face a high risk profile and, as such, can expect monthly premiums between $192 and $267.
• Bad Credit: As Nevada insurers are allowed to check your credit score as a means of determining your risk profile, those with an excellent credit rating can expect to pay around 16% less than state averages.
• With a Speeding Ticket: Receiving a single speeding ticket can increase your premiums, as can other violations. For example, a speeding ticket can increase premiums by an average of 15%, but a DUI charge can increase premiums by 60%.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In Nevada?

There are over twenty insurance providers active in Nevada. These include:

• State Farm
• GEICO
• Progressive
• Allstate
• USAA
• American Family Insurance
• Farmers
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide
• Travelers
• Amica Mutual Insurance Company
• Mercury Insurance
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• CSAA Insurance (AAA)
• American National Property and Casualty Company
• MetLife
• Safeco Insurance
• Mendota Insurance
• Great Northwest Insurance Company
• National General

These insurers offer a range of coverage options and discounts tailored to local drivers, and you can use tools like Insuranceopedia to compare prices and policies.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In Nevada

Drivers can find ways to overcome price hikes and inflation by using state-specific opportunities and general strategies to reduce insurance premiums.

Complete A Nevada-Approved Defensive Driving Course

Nevada law (NRS 690B.028) requires insurance companies to give discounts to drivers 55 and older who take defensive driving courses. Some insurance providers also offer discounts to young drivers who take the same courses through a Nevada DMV-licensed school. These discounts typically apply for 3 years.

Shop-Around And Compare

Nevada has struggled with very high inflation, as increasing litigation and car theft throughout Las Vegas have become significantly problematic. Nevada state law requires that insurance companies justify any rate increase they charge to the state, so you can shop around and compare prices with the Nevada Division of Insurance Comparison Tool every six months. This can help you find companies that haven’t yet implemented price hikes.

Bundle Policies

If you can, consider bundling your policies, especially when one policy is set to expire. Combining or bundling your policies can help you save on premiums for all of your insurance products by an average of 25%.

Compare Annually

The algorithms used to determine premiums change regularly, as do your circumstances. Using tools like Insuranceopedia, you can compare prices on an annual basis to find which companies might offer the most favorable benefits or the lowest premiums.

Safe Driver Discounts

Whenever you get issued things like speeding tickets or getting in an accident, it stays on your record and increases your premiums, but the opposite is true as well; keeping a clean driving record with no tickets or accidents can help you reduce your premiums.

Change Your Deductible

Your out-of-pocket deductible can be a very easy way to decrease your premiums. These two are inversely related, so the higher you’re out of pocket deductible, the lower your premiums will be.

Invest In Safety Measures

Investing in safety measures can help reduce your overall costs, especially things that reduce the likelihood of vehicle theft, like GPS tracking and alarms.

Proof Of Insurance In Nevada

Nevada has some of the strictest rules regarding car insurance enforcement. Nevada uses a real-time electronic monitoring system called NV LIVE. All drivers have to maintain minimum coverage with a Nevada evidence of insurance card, either physical or digital. If your insurance policy gets canceled or lapses for even a single day, the NV LIVE system notifies the DMV immediately.

What Happens If You’re Caught Without Insurance?

Drivers who get caught without proof of insurance or those whose lapses in insurance are detected by the NV LIVE system will have their vehicle registration suspended and can be issued a misdemeanor citation. There is absolutely no grace period in Nevada for insurance lapses.

Reinstatement Process

Nevada uses a tiered penalty system to determine what the penalties and reinstatement processes are for anyone who is caught driving without proper car insurance. The first offense can include a $250 reinstatement fee, but the amount increases based on how long you went without insurance. For example, a driver who’s had a lapse in their insurance coverage of $181 days or more can face a $1,000 fine and an SR-22 certificate requirement for 3 years. The reinstatement process and fines increase for second and subsequent offenses.

From there, drivers must obtain a new liability policy, verify it online, pay their fees at the DMV, and file any other applicable forms before their license and vehicle registration can be reinstated.

Nevada State Driving Laws

Nevada uses a traditional asphalt system, so there are many laws pertaining to financial responsibility and driver safety. There are also strict penalties for those who don’t comply with insurance mandates.

Fault State

Nevada is an at-fault (or “tort”) state. So any at-fault driver or their respective insurance company has to pay for the claims of any other parties.

Drivers Without Insurance

Nevada uses an electronic system (NVLIVE) to verify continuous coverage, and there are zero days of grace for any insurance lapse. Failure to carry Insurance can result in fines and a mandatory SR-22 filing.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, but as a policyholder, you are not required to purchase it.

Seat Belt Laws

Seat belt law is a primary law, which means failure to wear a seatbelt is a reason for an officer to pull you over and issue a citation.

Distracted Driving Laws

It is against the law for any driver in Nevada to use a handheld phone while driving, with penalties including fines.

Teen Driving Laws

Nevada teens use a graduated driver licensing (GDL) program, which means they can get a permit at 15 and their license at 16, assuming they’ve had six months of no traffic violations or accidents. Both levels come with some restrictions, though.

Statute Of Limitations For Claims

Following a lawsuit after a car accident in Nevada typically comes with a 2-year statute of limitations.

Cancellation/Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Insurance providers must give you at least 10 days written notice if they cancel your policy because of non-payment and at least 30 days written notice if they cancel for any other reason. They must also provide 30 days’ notice if they decide not to renew your policy.

Self-Insurance

Individuals and businesses can opt for self-insurance if they can prove their financial stability by depositing $50,000 in cash or securities with the DMV for every vehicle they own.

SR-22s

After a license suspension because of an insurance lapse longer than 90 days or a DUI, drivers are required to file an SR-22 certificate for 3 years.

Car Inspection Requirements

Nevada only requires annual smog checks for Clark and Washoe counties for vehicles built after 1968.

Defensive Driving

Completing a defensive driver course can earn you discounts on your insurance policies and take points off your record.

When Is A Car Declared A Total Loss?

Cars are declared a total loss in Nevada if the estimated repairs equal or exceeds 65% of the actual cash value of the car.

When To Report An Accident

The car accident has to be reported to local police or the Nevada Highway Patrol if the accident took place on a public road, if there were injuries or deaths, or if property damage exceeded $1,000.

Nevada Car Insurance Contact Information

There are two main organizations that oversee car insurance and registration issues, including the Nevada Division of Insurance (NV DOI) and the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

1. Nevada Division of Insurance (NV DOI)

The Division of Insurance regulates insurance companies, so if you need to file a complaint about a policy cancellation, an unsatisfactory car insurance settlement, or a claim that was denied by your insurance company, this is whom you would contact.

Contact Information:

• Northern Nevada (Carson City): (775) 687-0700
• Southern Nevada (Las Vegas): (702) 486-4009
• Toll-Free (Statewide): (888) 872-3234
• Email: insinfo@doi.nv.gov
• Website: nv.gov

2. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

If your registration gets suspended because of a lapse in coverage, this is who you have to contact. Similarly, if you need to register a vehicle, deal with the title transfer, or respond to a request to verify your insurance information, you will need to reach out to the DMV.

Contact Information:

• Nevada LIVE (Insurance Verification): (775) 684-4850 (Northern NV) or (702) 486-8696 (Las Vegas Area)
• License/Registration Call Center: (775) 684-4830
• General Information: (775) 684-4368 (Northern NV) or (702) 486-4368 (Las Vegas Area)
• Email (Insurance Help): dmvivpweb@dmv.nv.gov
• Website: dmv.nv.gov

3. Nevada Attorney General (Insurance Fraud Unit)

If you need to report fraud against an insurance company, this is who you contact for consumer complaints.

Contact Information:

• Fraud Hotline: (800) 266-8688
• Website: ag.nv.gov

Common Nevada Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

Nevada remains a dangerous state for drivers due to the extreme weather, major cities, and sprawling open desert.

Traffic Fatality Data

Nevada has seen a 5.6% increase in traffic fatalities between 2024 and 2025. However, there is a significant regional difference in the state, with the Las Vegas area seeing an 18.7% decrease, but the Reno area seeing a 26.1% increase.

Common Accident Causes

Driving under the influence accounts for 47% of all fatalities in Nevada, representing the top cause of accident fatalities. Another 29% of all fatal car accidents are due to speeding.

In urban areas, particularly Las Vegas, failure-to-yield fatalities climbed 123% in 2025, with pedestrians at the highest risk of fatalities involving cars. Within the city, 36% of all accidents take place at Rainbow Blvd and Charleston Blvd.

Vehicle Theft Trends

Throughout the state in 2024, there was a 31% drop in vehicle thefts, but the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has still reported that older Hyundai and Kia models are at the highest risk of theft.