Coverage Explained

Collision vs Comprehensive Coverage in Nevada

Understand the difference between collision and comprehensive auto insurance, what each covers, how much they cost in Nevada, and when you should (or shouldn't) drop this coverage.

Quick Comparison

Collision Coverage

Pays to repair/replace YOUR car after hitting another vehicle, object, or rolling over.

Nevada Cost: $400-800/year average

Comprehensive Coverage

Pays for non-collision damage: theft, vandalism, weather, fire, animals, glass, falling objects.

Nevada Cost: $200-400/year average

Key Point: These coverages protect YOUR vehicle. Liability insurance (required in Nevada) only pays for damage you cause to OTHERS — it doesn't fix your own car.

Detailed Coverage Comparison

Feature Collision Coverage Comprehensive Coverage
What It Covers Damage from hitting another vehicle, object, or rollover Non-collision damage: theft, weather, vandalism, animals, fire
Your Fault Accident Covered Not applicable
Other Driver's Fault Covered (minus deductible) Not applicable
Hit Parked Car Your car covered Not covered
Single-Vehicle Crash Covered Not covered
Theft Not covered Covered
Vandalism Not covered Covered
Hail / Weather Damage Not covered Covered
Hitting Animal Not covered Covered
Fire Not covered Covered
Windshield / Glass Not covered Covered (often $0 deductible)
Falling Objects Not covered Covered
Requires Deductible? Yes ($500-$2,000 typical) Yes ($250-$1,000 typical, often lower)
Required by Nevada Law? Optional Optional
Required by Lender? Yes (if financing/leasing) Yes (if financing/leasing)
Nevada Average Cost $400-800/year $200-400/year

Collision Examples

When collision coverage pays out:

  • T-bone accident: You run a red light and hit another car. Collision pays for YOUR car repairs.
  • Hit guardrail: You swerve and crash into highway barrier on I-15. Collision covers your damage.
  • Rear-end someone: You're at fault. Collision pays for your car (liability pays for theirs).
  • Parking lot scrape: You back into another car. Collision covers your vehicle damage.
  • Rollover: Your car flips on Las Vegas curve. Collision pays for total loss or repairs.

Comprehensive Examples

When comprehensive coverage pays out:

  • Car stolen: Vehicle taken from casino parking lot. Comprehensive pays full replacement value.
  • Hail damage: Nevada monsoon hailstorm dents hood/roof. Comprehensive covers repairs.
  • Keyed paint: Someone vandalizes your car. Comprehensive pays for paint repair.
  • Hit deer/coyote: Animal runs into your car on rural Nevada road. Comprehensive covers damage.
  • Cracked windshield: Rock chip turns into crack. Comprehensive replaces (often $0 deductible).
  • Flash flood: Car caught in wash flooding. Comprehensive pays for water damage/total loss.

How Much Do These Coverages Cost in Nevada?

Nevada collision and comprehensive costs vary based on your vehicle value, deductible, location, and driving record. Here's what to expect:

Nevada Average Costs (2024)

Collision Coverage

$400-800/yr

What affects your cost:

  • • Vehicle value: $40K car costs more to insure than $10K car
  • • Deductible chosen: $500 deductible = higher premium, $2,000 = lower
  • • Las Vegas vs rural: Urban areas pay 20-30% more
  • • Your age: Teen drivers pay 2-3x more
  • • Driving record: Accidents increase collision rates significantly

Comprehensive Coverage

$200-400/yr

What affects your cost:

  • • Theft risk: Las Vegas has higher rates than rural Nevada
  • • Vehicle type: Honda Civic (high theft) costs more than minivan
  • • Deductible chosen: Lower deductible = higher premium
  • • Where parked: Garage vs street parking affects cost
  • • Anti-theft devices: Alarm/GPS tracking can reduce rates 5-15%

Both Together ("Full Coverage")

$600-1,200/yr

Most people get both collision + comprehensive together. Combined with Nevada's required liability coverage ($400-600/yr), total "full coverage" costs:

$1,200-1,800

Full coverage total/year

$100-150/month

Newer Cars

Worth having both coverages

Older Cars

Consider dropping if low value

When Should You Drop Collision/Comprehensive?

Use the "10% Rule": If your annual collision + comprehensive premium exceeds 10% of your car's value, consider dropping these coverages.

Example 1: Keep Coverage

  • • Car value: $15,000
  • • Collision + comprehensive: $900/year
  • • Percentage: 6% of car value
  • • ✓ KEEP COVERAGE — worth the protection

Example 2: Consider Dropping

  • • Car value: $4,000
  • • Collision + comprehensive: $700/year
  • • Percentage: 17.5% of car value
  • • ⚠ CONSIDER DROPPING — poor value

Example 3: Drop Coverage

  • • Car value: $2,500
  • • Collision + comprehensive: $650/year
  • • Plus $1,000 deductible if you claim
  • • ✗ DROP COVERAGE — makes no financial sense

If your car is totaled, max payout is $2,500 minus $1,000 deductible = $1,500. You paid $650 for coverage that might pay $1,500. After 2-3 years, you've paid more in premiums than car is worth.

Important: If you're financing or leasing, your lender REQUIRES collision + comprehensive. You cannot drop these until you own the car outright.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get the Right Coverage for Your Nevada Vehicle

Compare quotes with collision and comprehensive options. We'll help you choose the right deductibles and determine if these coverages make sense for your car.

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