With over 110,000 miles of desert and as one of the least densely populated states in the country, Nevada is a state made for car and cruising enthusiasts. However, accidents can happen on even the state’s most scenic routes, which is where having dependable auto insurance coverage is essential. On average, car insurance in Nevada costs $2,245 for full coverage according to Bankrate’s 2021 study of quoted annual premiums.
To help Silver State drivers find the best car insurance companies available to them, whether it be for one of the state’s over 22,000 registered classic cars or a more practical option, our team assessed policy offerings and current premium data from several providers to reduce market noise and capture highlights from some of the top options available.
Best car insurance companies in Nevada
Options for car insurance are plentiful in Nevada, which can often make the market feel overwhelming. In our effort to make buying the coverage you need as easy as possible, we compared up-to-date quoted premiums from dozens of Nevada insurers, provided by Quadrant Information Services. We then went a level deeper and assessed each company’s policy offerings, including standout features, coverages and discounts to ensure we provide quality options worth considering.
Finally, we used 2020 J.D. Power Auto Claims Study scores to gauge customer satisfaction, which we included in our cumulative Bankrate Score – which is a score out of 5.0 – to rank companies according to overall market performance. The following five providers stood out as the best car insurance in Nevada throughout each step of the process:
| Car insurance company | Bankrate Score | Average annual full coverage premium | J.D. Power customer satisfaction score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | 4.6 | $1,116 | 871/1,000 |
| State Farm | 4.4 | $1,668 | 881/1,000 |
| Farmers | 3.8 | $3,369 | 872/1,000 |
| American Family | 3.7 | $2,146 | 862/1,000 |
| Allstate | 3.6 | $2,457 | 876/1,000 |
Geico
With the highest Bankrate Score of the providers on our list, Geico is a solid option all around for cost of coverage, financial strength and customer satisfaction. Although coverage options are limited with only a few add-ons available, such as mechanical breakdown insurance, policies have seemingly endless options for savings. With 16 total discounts, drivers can save through options like bundling, insuring a new vehicle or having group affiliations.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
State Farm
With agents in 20 Nevada cities, State Farm could be a great option for drivers who prefer to have easy agent accessibility to consult for their insurance needs. However, there are equally convenient options for drivers seeking a modern insurance experience as well. State Farm’s highly rated mobile app enables quick policy management and claims filing. With the second-highest Bankrate Score and highest J.D. Power score on our list, the insurer is both a popular and reliable option for many Nevada motorists.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Farmers
Farmers Insurance helps ensure that policyholders have the most amount of financial protections available to them through options such as guaranteed value protection, new car replacement coverage, accident forgiveness and an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) option for vehicles up to 10 years old. There are policy options for classic and collectible car lovers, as well as drivers who work with rideshare companies, like Uber or Lyft. Additionally, savings up to 15% are possible each policy renewal period with Farmers’ Signal program, which rewards safe driving habits.
Learn more: Farmers Insurance review
American Family
American Family Insurance not only has competitive car insurance rates, but also puts heavy focus on making themselves accessible through the MyAmFam app and 24/7 claim support. In the Southwest, American Family ranks as the number one provider according to 2021 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study customer satisfaction survey results, with 850 out of 1,000 points. And in addition to standard auto insurance, American Family’s classic car insurance allows leeway for Nevada motorists to drive their classic vehicles to their heart’s desire without mileage caps, as long as it is not used as a daily driver.
Learn more: American Family Insurance review
Allstate
With tools like Drivewise that help lower car insurance costs, Allstate is a great option to consider for drivers looking for both cheap and quality car insurance. Allstate ranks above industry average in terms of overall claims satisfaction, which may be due in part to its online and mobile app capabilities, which include options to file and track claims digitally. With a host coverage and savings options, like custom equipment coverage and a paperless discount, choosing Allstate as an insurer may be a particularly easy choice for Nevada drivers looking for an insurer that checks several boxes.
Learn more: Allstate Insurance review
Average car insurance cost in Nevada
Car insurance in Nevada is far more expensive than it is for the majority of the country. While the average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $1,674 per year for full coverage, the average premium in Nevada is $2,246 for full coverage each year. The striking difference in insurance costs may largely be due to Nevada having several active fault lines — 1,500 as of 2019 — making it extremely susceptible to damaging earthquakes and related vehicle losses.
| Average annual premium for minimum coverage in Nevada | Average annual premium for full coverage in Nevada |
|---|---|
| $860 | $2,245 |
State minimum insurance requirements in Nevada
Nevada requires all state-registered drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance, like most states, which includes liability insurance. The state’s 25/50/20 requirement calls for:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $20,000 in property damage liability per accident
Nevada is an at-fault state, meaning that whichever involved party is deemed most at fault for a collision is responsible for covering the other party’s injuries and damage. With this in mind, it is likely that Nevada’s state minimums would not cover the full extent of a more serious claim. Additionally, though you may not be fully financially responsible for covering an injured party’s losses, any damage to your vehicle would require full coverage to file claim coverage. For these reasons, insurance experts recommend purchasing higher coverage limits in addition to collision and comprehensive coverages. Drivers who lease or finance their vehicle will likely be required to purchase full coverage to protect the loan.
How to get the best car insurance
Before finding the best cheap Nevada auto insurance, it is important to understand how rates vary between providers and what factors can affect your rate when deciding on the best insurer for you.
- Evaluate your needs: The cost of your car insurance policy depends on several rate factors, such as the car you drive, your driving history, credit score and whether there are any teenage drivers on your policy. For example, a parent adding a teen to their policy is likely to anticipate a premium increase due to teens being considered high risk, and may even consider shopping around to find a better quote and switch insurers.
- Consider state factors: Because earthquake damage is common in Nevada, coverages that extend standard limits, such as gap insurance and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage, may be beneficial following more serious claims.
Car insurance discounts in Nevada
Nevada drivers typically have several options available to them to help achieve a lower cost of car insurance. While exact options and discount percentages will vary based on provider, the most common include:
- Good student: Either parents or young drivers on their own policy may take advantage of good student discounts, which typically require that student drivers maintain at least a B-average for savings.
- Safety equipment: Having common safety features, like anti-lock brakes and air bags can often earn you a discount on premiums.
- Paperless: Opting for fully digital policy management rather than paper documents provides convenience as well as potential savings, as many insurers offer a discount for making the switch.
- Early signing: By purchasing a new auto insurance policy a week or two in advance, you not only avoid having a lapse in coverage, but could also make yourself eligible for a discount with many insurers.
Not all insurance companies offer the same number of discounts or even set discounts at the same percentage of savings. However, discounts for bundling different policies are generally offered by all insurers and include the most impactful savings, especially home and auto bundles. It may be worth speaking with a company agent before purchasing a policy to see which discounts you qualify for and just how much you can save by applying them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance in Nevada?
Rates vary widely among insurers, so the cheapest car insurance in Nevada depends on your personal needs, driving record, credit score and what discounts you are eligible for. Additionally, although average rates provide a general baseline of what to expect, rates can vary by ZIP code just as much as they might vary from state to state, so it is important to compare providers in the area you live.
What information is needed in order to get car insurance in Nevada?
When purchasing car insurance, you need a driver’s license and vehicle registration to get started. If you are moving from another insurance company, you will likely need your existing insurance declaration page as proof of insurance.
What other types of car insurance can I buy?
You can also purchase collision coverage, which covers your medical expenses and damages done to your car resulting from a collision, or comprehensive coverage, which insures you against theft or other damage to your vehicle that is non-collision related. Other options may be offered as endorsements or separate policies altogether. Consider asking your insurance provider which add-ons may be most relevant to your needs.
How much car insurance am I required to have in Nevada?
The minimum liability insurance requirements for Nevada are $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 in any one accident, and $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Bankrate Scores
Bankrate Scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength (AM Best, S&P, Moody’s) and customer experience (J.D. Power, NAIC), in addition to average quoted rates from Quadrant Information Services. The J.D. Power studies utilized include the 2020 Auto Insurance Study and the 2020 Auto Claims Study. Our Bankrate editorial team’s extensive research and analysis provided a secondary assessment of each insurer’s online and mobile resources and policy management options, which also contributed to overall ratings.
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