Car Insurance in Reno, NV

If you are a vehicle owner in Reno, Nevada, you need car insurance. A good policy can shield you from significant financial losses whether you are in a multi-car collision on the North-South Freeway, get rear-ended at a red light on Pyramid Way, or find yourself in a fender bender in a parking lot.

Finding the best and most affordable car insurance is easy with the help of a local independent agent. These experienced agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes from competing providers. Contact an independent insurance agent in Reno to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Reno, NV?

The good news for residents of Reno is that the average cost of car insurance in Nevada is lower than the national average. Taking the time to compare rates from a few different insurance providers lets you be sure you are getting your coverage at a reasonable price.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Nevada's average annual car insurance cost: $1,248

An average rate can only give you a general idea of what you might be expected to pay. Car insurance companies base their premiums on several factors such as:

• Your vehicle’s make, model, year, and value
• Your age, gender, occupation, claims history, and credit score
• Information about any other licensed drivers in your household
• The auto theft and collision rate in the vicinity of your home
• The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
• The coverage options you wish to include in your policy
• The size of your deductible

Are There Any Car Insurance Discount Opportunities in Reno, NV?

In most cases, you can earn significant rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies like home insurance or renters insurance. Other money-saving incentives you may come across include:

• Good driver discounts
• Military discounts
• Multi-car coverage discounts
• Good student discounts
• Policy renewal discounts
• Discounts for safety features and anti-theft devices

Independent insurance agents can help you be certain you receive any offered car insurance discounts for which you qualify.

Is Car Insurance Required in Reno, NV?

It is illegal to drive an uninsured vehicle in Reno. To comply with Nevada law, you must have a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s 25/50/20 coverage requirement. This means that your car insurance policy must include:

• Liability coverage: This pays for other people's property damage and medical bills if you are at fault for a collision. Your liability coverage must consist of at least:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $20,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident

Also, although it is not required by law, you may need to include physical damage coverage in your car insurance policy. Lenders typically require this coverage if you are financing your car, and dealerships require it if you are leasing it. Physical damage coverage includes:

• Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.

A local independent agent can help you find a competitively priced policy that meets or exceeds Nevada’s coverage requirements.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Reno, NV?

In addition to the coverage mentioned above, most car insurance companies in Nevada offer optional coverage that you can include in your policy. These may include:

• Medical payments coverage: This can help cover the cost of medical treatments for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: This can compensate you for your injuries and property damage if an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver is at fault for a collision with you.
• Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This can cover the cost of service if your car becomes disabled and you need to call for help, such as if your car's engine overheats or you run out of gas.
• Glass replacement coverage: This can pay to replace the safety glass in your windshield, windows, or sunroof if it is cracked, shattered, or otherwise damaged. This coverage is often offered with no deductible.
• Gap insurance: This can buy out your lease or pay off your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event and you still owe more than the car is worth.
• Rental car reimbursement insurance: This can cover the cost of renting a car while you are having yours repaired for damage sustained in a covered event.
• Umbrella insurance: This is a separate policy that enables you to affordably boost your liability coverage well beyond the limitations of your car insurance policy.

Be sure to review the details and costs of all available coverage options so you can make an informed decision about which choices are a good fit for you and your family.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Reno, NV?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Nevada. If caught, you can face consequences that increase in severity according to how long you've allowed your coverage to lapse and how many previous convictions you have had for uninsured driving. Penalties include:

• For a first offense:
  • A fee of $250
  • A fine of $250 to $1,000 if you have been without coverage for more than 30 days
  • The requirement to maintain an SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility with the state if you have been without coverage for more than 90 days
  • Additional fines as imposed by a court of law
• For a second offense:
  • A fee of $500
  • A fine of $500 to $1,000 if you have been without coverage for more than 30 days
  • The requirement to maintain an SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility with the state if you have been without coverage for more than 90 days
  • Additional fines as imposed by a court of law
• For a third or subsequent offense:
  • A fee of $750
  • A fine of $500 to $1,000 if you have been without coverage for more than 30 days
  • The requirement to maintain an SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility with the state
  • The suspension of your driver’s license for at least 30 days
  • A $75 reinstatement fee to get your driving privileges back
  • Additional fines as imposed by a court of law

Furthermore, if you cause an accident while driving without insurance, you will be responsible for covering any property damage or injuries you may have caused other people. These costs can be very expensive.

Keep in mind that if you have an uninsured driving conviction on your record, your car insurance costs are likely to increase.

Despite all these consequences, more than one in ten drivers in this state are operating uninsured vehicles.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Nevada drivers who are uninsured: 10.6%

If your car insurance policy includes uninsured motorist insurance, you can rest assured that if you are in a collision with an uninsured driver, your insurance provider will compensate you for any property damage and injuries you may have sustained in the accident.

This saves you from the need to go through lengthy legal channels to collect what is owed to you by the at-fault driver.

How High Is Reno, Nevada's Auto Theft Rate?

The auto theft rate in Nevada is higher than the national average, and in Reno, the rate is even higher. Residents of this city report around 1,200 stolen cars a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Nevada auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 3.92
• Reno auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 4.64

As a vehicle owner in Reno, it is important to know that you can only be compensated for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or "other than collision") coverage.

If you are financing or leasing your vehicle, you probably have comprehensive coverage already. If not, you may want to ask how much it would cost to add it to your car insurance policy so you can decide whether this optional coverage is of value to you.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Reno, NV?

Insurance companies stand out above the rest when they consistently provide their policyholders with responsive customer service, rapid claims processing, and competitive rates.

Independent insurance agents in Reno have partnerships with some of the best car insurance companies in Nevada. This lets you be sure that any policies your agent recommends to you are offered by companies you can count on if you ever need to file a claim.

How Can an Independent Agent in Reno, NV Help Find the Right Car Insurance?

Independent agents take the guesswork out of finding the best car insurance policy. These agents are available to explain your various coverage options, answer your coverage-related questions, and help you compare policies and rates from a selection of competing providers.

It doesn't cost anything to work with one of these experienced insurance professionals. Contact an independent insurance agent in Reno to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.