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Coverage Types
Coverage Guide

What Does Auto Insurance Cover in Nevada?

Auto insurance is more than just a legal requirement — it's financial protection against accidents, theft, damage, and liability. Here's everything your policy covers and what you actually need.

Liability coverage — Pays for damage/injuries you cause to others

Collision coverage — Pays for YOUR vehicle damage in accidents

Comprehensive coverage — Pays for non-accident damage (theft, weather, vandalism)

Uninsured/underinsured motorist — Protects YOU when hit by uninsured driver

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Required vs. Optional Auto Insurance Coverage

Nevada law requires liability coverage. Everything else is optional but highly recommended. Here's what each coverage type protects:

REQUIRED BY LAW

Liability Coverage (25/50/20 Minimum)

Bodily Injury Liability

Pays for injuries/death you cause to other people in an at-fault accident.

What it covers:

  • • Medical bills for injured parties
  • • Lost wages if they can't work
  • • Pain and suffering damages
  • • Legal defense if sued
  • • Funeral expenses (if fatal)

Nevada minimums: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident

Recommended: 100/300 ($100k per person / $300k per accident) for real protection

Property Damage Liability

Pays for damage you cause to other people's property in an at-fault accident.

What it covers:

  • • Other vehicles you damage
  • • Buildings/structures you hit
  • • Fences, mailboxes, signs
  • • Parked cars you damage
  • • Personal property in other vehicles

Nevada minimum: $20,000 per accident

Recommended: $50,000-$100,000 (luxury cars in Vegas exceed $20k easily)

Important: Liability coverage does NOT pay for YOUR injuries or YOUR vehicle damage. It only pays for damage/injuries you cause to OTHERS. You need additional coverage to protect yourself.

OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED

Collision Coverage

Pays to repair or replace YOUR vehicle after accidents — regardless of who's at fault.

Covers damage from:

  • • Colliding with another vehicle
  • • Single-car accidents (hit pole, tree, etc.)
  • • Rollover accidents
  • • Hit-and-run if other driver flees
  • • Accidents you cause (your own car)

Deductible: You pay first $250-$1,000, insurance pays rest

Cost: $200-400/year. Required for financed/leased vehicles.

Comprehensive Coverage

Pays for damage to YOUR vehicle from non-collision events (often called "other than collision").

Covers damage from:

  • • Theft (vehicle stolen)
  • • Vandalism / broken windows
  • • Weather (hail, flood, wind)
  • • Fire or explosion
  • • Falling objects (tree branches, etc.)
  • • Animal strikes (hitting deer, etc.)
  • • Civil disturbance / riots

Deductible: Typically $100-$500 (lower than collision)

Cost: $100-300/year. Critical in Nevada (theft risk, storms).

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Coverage

CRITICAL IN NEVADA

Protects YOU and your passengers when hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Nevada requires insurers to offer this (you can reject in writing, but shouldn't).

Uninsured Motorist (UM):

  • • Pays YOUR medical bills / lost wages
  • • Pays YOUR vehicle damage
  • • When hit by driver with NO insurance
  • • Or hit-and-run (driver flees)

Underinsured Motorist (UIM):

  • • Pays the DIFFERENCE when at-fault driver's insurance insufficient
  • • Example: $100k medical bills, their limit $50k → UIM pays other $50k
  • • Critical when hit by minimum-coverage drivers

Why it's critical in Nevada: 20-25% of Nevada drivers are uninsured (vs 13% national average). Many insured drivers carry only minimum $25k/$50k limits — insufficient for serious accidents.

Cost: $50-150/year. Recommended limits: Match your liability (e.g., 100/300 liability = 100/300 UM/UIM).

Medical Payments (MedPay)

Pays medical bills for you and your passengers after accidents — regardless of fault.

What it covers:

  • • Emergency room visits
  • • Hospital stays
  • • Doctor visits
  • • Surgery and medical procedures
  • • Ambulance fees
  • • Dental work from accident

Limits: $1,000-$10,000. Cost: $20-60/year. Good supplement to health insurance.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Broader than MedPay — pays medical bills PLUS lost wages, funeral expenses, and more.

Covers beyond medical:

  • • Lost income if unable to work
  • • Rehabilitation costs
  • • Funeral/burial expenses
  • • Essential services (childcare if injured)

Note: Nevada is NOT a no-fault state, so PIP is optional. Cost: $50-100/year.