The State of Nevada requires drivers to maintain a minimum policy of liability car insurance coverage. Nevada law requires motorists to purchase coverage that pays injured parties in the event they are found to be at-fault for a car accident. The Nevada auto insurance minimums are:

$15,000 per person for bodily injury; $30,000 for bodily injury; $10,000 for property damage.

Moreover, it’s estimated that approximately 15 percent of Nevada drivers are uninsured. Purchasing additional coverage on your own plan is the best way to ensure you are protected if you’re ever hit by an underinsured/uninsured motorist.

State of Nevada supplemental auto insurance coverage

Comprehensive: Pays for the damage to your vehicle that occurs due to reasons other than an accident, such as weather conditions, roadway hazards, and vehicular theft.

Collision: This covers damage to your vehicle that is a result of a crash, regardless of the at-fault party.

Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist: This protects you in the event you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured motorist.

MedPay: This covers medical treatment for any injuries to the policyholder driver or passengers with no consideration of fault.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP): AKA “no-fault insurance” covers medical bills and lost wages to the policyholder or passengers regardless of fault.

What are the insurance minimums in Nevada?

The State of Nevada requires all vehicles registered to maintain liability insurance for the entire registration period, even if you do not regularly use your car, truck, SUV, or other registered motor vehicles. The Nevada auto insurance minimums include the following vehicular coverage:

Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

$25,000 for bodily injury or death of any one (1) person on any one (1) accident; $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two for any accident; (2) or more persons on any one (1) accident. This is also referred to as the 25/50 rule. This coverage protects at-fault motorists from claims brought against them by:

  • Other drivers on the road
  • Passengers in other vehicles
  • Passengers in your own vehicle
  • Pedestrians and bystanders

Bodily injury liability coverage covers a variety of expenses related to an accident, including medical bills, ambulance bills, short- or long-term medical treatment, lost wages, loss of consortium, and more. It is important to note, however, that if the damages from your car accident exceed the state minimum limits, you could be personally liable for the remaining balance after your insurance policy limits are exhausted.

For example, let’s say that Jessica ran a stop sign and gets into a car accident in Las Vegas. The other driver suffers a fractured neck and misses three weeks from work. The injury victim is now eligible to collect damages that total $14,500 for lost wages and pain and suffering, and medical bills of $25,000. Assuming Jessica only had the state minimum of $25,000, the driver could sue her for the remaining $14,500.

What if I don’t have enough insurance coverage?

If you do not have enough auto insurance to cover the injured party’s damages, the other party can sue you personally for the remaining balance. Therefore, it is highly advisable that you purchase higher policy limits if you can afford to — this is especially if you have assets that you wish to protect in the event you are personally sued for damages.

Property damage coverage

$20,000 for any one (1) accident; however, it is highly advisable you purchase more than the minimum coverage. This is because if you’re injured in and/or involved in a major car wreck, you stand the chance of not being able to recover enough to cover all of your expenses.

For example, if your injury claim is worth $80,000, but you and the negligent driver only have the $20,000/$40,000 bodily injury minimum, you will only be paid $20,000 by the at-fault driver’s insurance company and $20,000 by your own insurance carrier.

Therefore, you should also purchase uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist insurance since roughly 15 percent of Nevada are not adequately insured. If you purchase this type of insurance coverage, you may file a claim against your own insurance provider to help recover for your expenses.

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