Guide to Nevada Car Insurance Coverage
Ultimate Guide To Understanding and Purchasing NV Auto Insurance
Here’s a comprehensive Guide to Nevada Car Insurance Coverage:
- What is the minimum amount of liability coverage I am required to carry in Nevada?
Under NRS 485.185, any car owner must be continuously insured while the car is physically in the state or registered with the DMV. The minimum amounts are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person involved in any one crash;
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one crash; and
- $20,000 for property damage.
- What is the criminal penalty for failing to have a liability insurance policy?
Failing to have the car insured will result in a misdemeanor conviction and a fine of up to $1000.00 plus fees and assessments. There are options to have this fine amount reduced if you obtain insurance after the fact of the citation. Call us now to discuss this option.
- Can I obtain additional insurance for bodily injury?
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) provides medical bill coverage for you and your passengers if the other driver is at fault and has no insurance or enough insurance to pay for your losses. t have enough insurance (underinsured) to pay all of your loss; this coverage pays for the medical costs of you and your passengers.
Medical Payments (Medpay) insurance for treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers regardless of who is at fault in the accident. It also covers injuries to pedestrians who are hit by a car.
- What other types of damages can I insure against?
Collision Insurance. In addition to injuries to a person from a car accident, you can obtain collision insurance which covers damage to your car due to a collision regarding who is at fault for the accident. This policy pays for repairing your car or the equivalent of money damages. This policy does not pay for injuries to any drivers or passengers.
Comprehensive. This insurance protects you against losses from something other than a collision, such as theft, hail damage, falling object, flood, or fire. This policy does not pay for injuries to the driver or any passengers.
Rental Car Reimbursement. It provides a fixed daily rental car coverage when your car is being repaired, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
GAP Insurance, or “Guaranteed Asset Protection” insurance, will pay the difference between what is owed on the car loan and the replacement cost if it is determined to be a total loss. If you do not have GAP insurance and owe more on your loan than the insurance company will pay for the loss, you must pay the difference to the lender yourself. This situation usually only arises in conjunction with the purchase of a brand-new car. You can purchase this insurance directly from the dealer or shop for the best rates.
- What is a “deductible?”
It is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance will pay for your loss. It only applies to collision and comprehensive coverage. For example, if you have a $1000.00 deductible and $5,000.00 in damages, you will pay $!000.00, and the insurance company will pay $4000.00.
- What factors go into determining the cost of my insurance?
Insurance companies use several different factors to determine the price you pay. Some of these factors are:
- Your driving record. It is why it is imperative to retain an attorney to attempt to negotiate any citations for non-moving violations.
- Claims history. Generally, the more claims, the higher your rates will cost.
- Your zip code. Different zip codes carry lower rates.
- Gender and age. Women generally pay less because they have fewer claims and fewer overall damages.
- Marital Status. Generally, insurance is lower for married people.
- Make and model of your vehicle. More expensive cars are usually more costly to insure.
- Credit. Insurance companies generally consider you less of a risk and charge you lower premiums if you have a higher credit score.
- What questions should I ask my insurance broker when shopping for a policy? You want to ensure that you have the appropriate level of coverage for your financial situation. You do not want to be underinsured so that your assets are at risk in an accident claim, but you want to be over insured and save money on a policy for coverage you may not need.
First, take an accurate accounting of your financial situation to the meeting, including how much you make, what you own, bank account information, and any other asset information, including under what name the assets are held.
- When shown a policy, ask if it has sufficient limits to protect you if you are at fault in an accident.
- Ask how much you will pay if you purchase additional insurance.
- Ask if the policy covers additional drivers other than you.
- Ask exactly what types of damages your policy covers. Many people are told they are purchasing “full coverage” insurance, so they believe they have more coverage than they do. “Full coverage” is not a legal term. Carefully discuss the policy with your agent and review each type of coverage you want to ensure it is in your policy.
- Ask if your policy will cover you if you are in an accident in a rental car.
- Ask if the policy will cover you if you have an accident while traveling for work.
- Ask if you have rental car coverage, the limit per day, and if there is a total limit.
- Ask if you need to use the policy due to an accident. Will the parts used for repair be new or after-market?
- Ask how much you can save if you pay a higher deductible.
- Ask what discounts are available. Insurance companies usually offer a discount if they insure more than one car per family and add a policy of insurance such as homeowner’s coverage.
- Ask how you pay for the policy. Is it monthly or quarterly, and is there a finance charge to pay over time?
For more information about how Hinds Injury Law can help you with your car accident needs visit our website https://hindsinjurylawlasvegas.com/ or visit us here:
Hinds Injury Law Las Vegas
600 S 8th St Suite 140, Las Vegas, NV 89101