The Best Cheap Car Insurance in Nevada for 2020

The Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for Nevada Drivers in 2020

Nevada drivers can get car insurance quotes from top national and statewide companies like State Farm, Berkshire Hathaway, Progressive, Allstate, and Farmers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

The table below lists insurance companies and the approximate monthly premium cost for an average driver in Nevada. However, these numbers are rough estimates and may vary greatly from any individual quote that would pertain to your unique driving history and situation.

Estimates give you an idea of which companies to contact for car insurance quotes, but make sure to shop around when you’re looking for Nevada car insurance companies and ask about discounts for having multiple policies, being a safe driver, having long tenure with the company and more.

The Best Car Insurance Companies in Nevada for 2020

MoneyGeek’s unique rating system was created from a combination of JD Power and AM Best ratings. We’ve taken into consideration factors such as affordability, customer satisfaction, claims and financial strength. See how Nevada’s top companies compare below.

Market Share by Company

According to 2018 data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the top-rated auto insurance companies in Nevada are State Farm, Berkshire Hathaway, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers, USAA, CSAA, Liberty Mutual, American Family and Key Insurance Co. USAA is a company that offers insurance to members of the military and veterans and their families.

State Farm has the largest customer base with 17.54% of the state’s policies, followed by Berkshire Hathaway at 15.20%, Progressive at 11.19% and Allstate at 9.36%.

Check out the top insurers in Nevada in the table below.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI in Nevada

The percentage of adults who reported driving after drinking too much (in the 30 days prior to being surveyed) was 1.8% in Nevada, according to 2012 CDC data.

The financial repercussions of getting a DUI are costly and can range from court and legal fees to alcohol education treatment programs. Additionally, your insurance rate will also see a spike in cost in addition to the legal fees. Consider the following auto insurance rates for drivers who receive a DUI in Nevada.

While each insurance company calculates premiums differently, you can expect to pay an additional $40,000 over the course of 13 years in increased auto insurance premiums. Exactly how much your rate would go up depends on your insurance company, your location and your driving record. With a DUI you’ll likely pay higher rates for up to a decade.

Cheapest Car Insurance for NV Speeding or Distracted Driving Tickets

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2018 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 300 crashes in Nevada were caused by distracted driving. Driving while distracted can cause accidents. Nevada state laws prohibit all handheld device use for drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. The following table details the estimated cost of auto insurance for drivers in Nevada who recently received a ticket for speeding or distracted driving.

Your auto insurance rate is likely to go up if you get a ticket for speeding or for distracted driving. According to the Insurance Information Association, your driving record is taken into account when you secure your auto policy, so being riskier to insure means paying higher premiums. Your insurer can also re-evaluate your rate if you get a moving violation (i.e., a speeding ticket).

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in NV for Drivers With Bad Credit

According to Experian, the average FICO Score in the United States hit a record high of 703 in 2019, which is higher than the Nevada average FICO Score of 686. Nationwide Insurance uses credit scores to determine premiums as studies show that using a credit score helps companies better predict insurance losses. If you have subprime credit (credit scores below 670), you’ll likely have to shop around to secure affordable car insurance in Nevada.

Consider the following table for an estimate of Nevada auto insurance for people with low credit scores.

To improve your credit rating, check out our guide on how to improve your credit score.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Nevada for Seniors

When shopping for car insurance, seniors in Nevada should ask for discounts for completing driver safety courses, discounts for driving infrequently and discounts for choosing a vehicle that has good safety features. There are other options that seniors can consider when it comes to choosing auto insurance.

The following table is a general guideline of what seniors in Nevada can expect when they go looking for the most affordable car insurance.

Nevada requires drivers 65 and older to renew their licenses in person and the state accepts requests from family members, law enforcement, state agencies and other organizations for the DMV to conduct unsafe driver investigations, according to legal resource Nolo.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Students

In addition, anyone under age 18 who applies for a license in Nevada must show proof that they qualify as one of the following:

• Are enrolled in high school
• Are excused from attending school because of homeschooling or a disability
• Have completed high school or the equivalent

Young drivers may not transport any passenger under the age of 18, except for immediate family members, for the first six months after the license was issued. In addition, drivers younger than 18 may not drive between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless they are traveling to or from a scheduled event such as school events or work, according to the Nevada DMV.

The following table illustrates an estimation of what parents in Nevada can expect to pay for their teen or college-aged student drivers.

Premium Comparison by Student Type

PREMIUM COMPARISON FOR TWO ADULTS + 16-YEAR-OLD

Average premium for two 2014

Mustang GTs

$5,260

Average premium for two 2008

Town and Country Limiteds

$3,571

Annual benefits of minivans:$1,689 saved

This is 32% less expensive.

Cheaper premium for college vs. high school drivers

Median premium change with a college student vs. high school driver:

$1,048 DECREASE

This is a savings of 27%.

Potential discounts for teens in Nevada

Impact on annual premium with good student and defensive driving discounts:

$333 SAVED

Nevada students: a long-distance discount

You may pay a smaller annual family premium if your child lives 150 miles or more away from home.

Average premium for a 19-year-old male

$3,489 at home

$3,042 at school

$447 IN SAVINGS

Average premium for a 19-year-old female

$3,076 at home

$2,766 at school

$310 IN SAVINGS

Insurance Rate Information for Military Drivers and Veterans

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Nevada has approximately 220,000 veterans and more than 10,000 active-duty military personnel. If you are in the military or a veteran, you may be eligible for discounts or special programs. Some companies, like GEICO, offer discounts of up to 15% for active-duty or retired military members and National Guard troops.

Nevada residents who are stationed in Nevada are subject to the same licensing and vehicle registration requirements as non-military, according to the Nevada DMV. Out-of-state residents on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are not required to register their vehicles in Nevada. Spouses are also exempt if the spouse lives in Nevada solely to be with the service member.

The following table provides estimates of what military members and veterans can expect to pay for auto insurance in Nevada.

Age savings for Nevada service members

25 years$1,541
50 years$1,242

25 years$1,526
50 years$1,265

---

$299 Saved

$261 Saved

Median auto insurance for service members: $1,294

Who Needs Car Insurance in Nevada?

You must obtain insurance from a Nevada Licensed Insurance Carrier and maintain the coverage for the entire time the vehicle is registered in Nevada. Coverage is verified electronically with your insurance company. The name and vehicle information on your vehicle registration and your insurance policy must match.

Motorists who do not maintain Nevada liability insurance are subject to a registration suspension and reinstatement fees and fines. You must keep your Nevada Evidence of Insurance in your vehicle at all times. Mopeds and trailers are exempt from insurance requirements.

In addition, smog checks are required on most gasoline and diesel-powered cars and trucks around Las Vegas and Reno.

Proof of Insurance in Nevada

By law, you must carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times and present it to any law enforcement officer if requested.

The DMV uses a system called "Nevada LIVE" to instantly validate liability insurance coverage electronically when you register your vehicle and periodically throughout the year.

If your vehicle comes up in a periodic Nevada LIVE search, the DMV will mail you a postcard requesting that you verify your insurance information (Typically within 15 days and you can do it online.) If you fail to respond in that timeframe, the state will suspend your registration.

Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Nevada

Nevada requires that automobile liability insurance policies carry minimum coverage of:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons on any one accident
• $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident

Nevada has no grace period. A one-day lapse in your insurance coverage will result in a possible suspension of your registration. The minimum penalty is a $251 reinstatement fee.

If you have more than 10 vehicles, you may be able to self-insure with the Nevada Department of Public Safety.

High-Risk Auto Insurance Program in Nevada

Nevada’s Automobile Insurance Plan was implemented in 1950 and it covers those who cannot find insurance coverage on their own.

Alternatives to Insurance in Nevada

Those who have more than 10 vehicles actively registered in Nevada under your name may qualify for self-insurance. Applicants must deposit a certificate of deposit, surety bond, cash or a letter of credit in the amount of 130% of the average annual claims paid by the self-insurer during the immediately preceding three-year period, or an amount determined by the number of vehicles that are owned.

Car Insurance Requirements in Nevada: How Much Coverage Do You Need?

All companies in Nevada are required by law to offer medical payments coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, the latter of which will pay for an accident if the other driver is at fault and doesn't have insurance. If you still owe money on your car, you will likely have to carry collision and comprehensive insurance as part of the loan agreement.

For more on the common types of car coverage and what's best for you, check out the MoneyGeek guide to car insurance.

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Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Drunk Driving State Data and Maps." Accessed March 15, 2020.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Motor Vehicle Safety." Accessed March 15, 2020.
• Experian. “2019 Consumer Credit Review." Accessed March 15, 2020.
• Insurance Information Institute. “Auto Rate Setting." Accessed March 15, 2020.
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “Market Share Reports for Property/Casualty Groups and Companies." Accessed March 15, 2020.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “2018 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)." Accessed March 15, 2020.
• Nolo. “Nevada Driving Laws for Seniors and Older Drivers." Accessed March 15, 2020.
• U.S. Census Bureau. “Veteran Statistics: Nevada." Accessed March 15, 2020.