How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do You Need?

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, and auto insurance is there to ensure that whether you’re responsible for a collision or you were hit by another driver, you won’t have financial hardship on top of the stress of the accident itself.

If you operate a vehicle in Nevada, you MUST have auto insurance and you MUST meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements; on that point, there’s no wiggle room. You’re a good driver, though, so is state minimum coverage enough? First of all, even if frugality is the name of the game, your insurance policy is not the place to cut corners.

Minimum Coverage 25/50/20

Crunch the Numbers, Is It Really Worth It?

Consider this: you can be the safest driver on the road, but if a particularly aggressive driver swerves in front of you, causing you to hit them, you’ll likely be considered the “at-fault driver.” Unless you have solid proof that their recklessness was to blame for the collision, you’ll be on the line for funding any repairs for their vehicle and yours. This also includes their medical bills, lost wages, and any other accident-related cost.

If you carry minimum coverage, then you may end up paying thousands of dollars out of your own pocket. And just like that, your cheap, “bare minimum” insurance is looking higher than expected.

So, how much insurance coverage do you need? Generally speaking, unless you have enough money to replace both your vehicle and someone else’s, without changing your standard of living, it’s recommended to carry as much insurance as you can afford.

Deciding How Much Auto Insurance You Need

While auto insurance can be pricey, Nevada Insurance Enrollment can help you find the right balance between great coverage and a premium that you can afford. Understanding the coverage options available to you, knowing what coverage you’re required to carry and evaluating your exposure to risk are good first steps to take in determining how much auto insurance coverage is right for you.

Understanding Coverage Options

The term “auto insurance” doesn’t refer to a single product; auto insurance is actually made up of several different types of coverage, and each type has its unique benefits and limitations.

In Nevada, before you can legally register a vehicle, you must purchase liability auto insurance. This type of insurance covers damages incurred by the other driver if you’re at fault for a collision. State law requires that automobile liability insurance policies carry minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury for one person per accident, $50,000 for bodily injury of two or more people per accident and $20,000 for property damage of the other driver.

While liability insurance is all that state law requires you to carry, there are several other types of insurance that you may consider carrying to cover damage that you sustain in an accident, whether or not you’re the at-fault driver. Other types of auto insurance coverage including comprehensive, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection. Your Nevada Insurance Enrollment insurance agent can review your options with you.

Knowing What Auto Insurance You’re Required to Have

Nevada drivers are required to carry the state minimum coverage of 25/50/20, but some drivers may be required to carry even more than that. Oftentimes, drivers who lease or finance a vehicle may be required to carry comprehensive and collision coverage. This helps to ensure that the vehicle is kept in good condition, thus protecting the interests of the lender or leasing company. This information is generally found in the loan or lease contract.

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Evaluating Your Exposure to Risk

Your Nevada Insurance Enrollment insurance agent takes into account several different factors when helping you determine how much auto insurance coverage you need. Some factors include: how much you drive, where you park your car at night, whether you drive for personal reasons or business and who else may drive your vehicle. These are just some of the factors that affect how much auto insurance you need.

Suggested Reading:

Articles about the additional coverage options available (plus add-ons) in more detail.

• How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
• Building the Best Auto Insurance Policy
• Comprehensive vs. Collision: What’s the Difference?
• Auto Insurance Liability Coverage: What Does It Cover?
• What is Full Coverage Auto Insurance?
• Adding Uninsured Underinsured Motorist to Your Policy
• What is Gap Insurance?
• What is Umbrella Insurance?
• Windshield – Glass Coverage
• Does Towing and Roadside Assistance Impact Insurance Premium?