120+ more){kind=small}
15 years at the Boston Globe
5+ years covering insurance industry
Doug joined Insurify as a senior content writer in 2025. He was previously a regular contributor to InsuranceNewsNet.
){kind=small}
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
){kind=small}
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Updated
Nevada law states that every registered vehicle on public roads must have liability insurance. Nevada is also an at-fault state. This means if you cause a crash, you’re financially responsible for the other person’s medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.[1]
Nevada has many more car insurance laws to understand, and you can learn about them in this article.
Your Nevada car insurance must be with a company licensed to do business in the state. Out-of-state policies don’t count, and the registered owner must be listed on the policy. You also need to show proof of Nevada insurance, either on paper or on your phone, when you register your car, and carry this proof with you whenever you drive.[1]
In addition to carrying coverage from a legal insurer, you must also carry coverage that meets the state’s minimum requirements. Nevada’s minimum liability coverage limits are:
$25,000 of bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 of bodily injury per accident
$20,000 of property damage liability per accident[1]
You may also see these requirements written as 25/50/20.
Nevada’s bodily injury limits are the same as Arizona’s, but Nevada requires more property damage coverage than Arizona. Utah’s minimum limits are even higher at 30/65/25.[2]
Your liability insurance pays for other people’s costs if you cause a crash. It doesn’t pay to fix your car or cover your own medical bills following an accident you cause.
Incidents like a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, speeding ticket, or an accident can hurt your driving record and make your insurance more expensive.
Age matters as well, and young drivers typically pay more for coverage. In Nevada, you can get a permit at 15 1/2 years old, and parents can ask their insurer about the best time to add a teen to their policy.[3]
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In many cases, probably not. While minimum coverage is legal, a serious accident can quickly use up $25,000 in injury coverage or $20,000 for property damage. And once those limits have been reached, you have to pay any additional costs yourself.
If you’re seeking more coverage, you may want to add these extra protections to your Nevada auto insurance policy:
Higher liability limits: Raising your limits adds more protection for injuries and property damage should you cause an accident.
Collision coverage: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, once you pay your deductible.
Comprehensive coverage: Covers non-collision losses such as theft, fire, weather, or vandalism.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: Pays for covered injuries if you’re in an accident caused by an uninsured driver or a driver without enough coverage.
Medical payments coverage: Also called MedPay, this coverage helps pay medical bills for you and your passengers regardless of fault.
Roadside assistance: This coverage helps with costs associated with towing, jump-starts, lockouts, and similar breakdowns.
Full coverage usually includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. These enhanced protections could be helpful in the Silver State, as Nevada had 381 traffic deaths in 2025.[4] Improving your coverage beyond the minimum limits can provide better financial protection if you’re in a serious accident.
If you drive without the required liability insurance, you could get a ticket and face additional penalties. If the Nevada DMV cannot confirm your insurance, the department can suspend your registration. You may also have your license plates taken if you drive with a suspended registration, and your car could be impounded.[1]
Nevada bases the reinstatement fee, civil penalty, SR-22 requirement, and possible license suspension on the lapse length and the number of prior lapses within five years.[1]
Here you can see how penalties differ based on lapse length.
Lapse Length | First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–30 days | $250 | $500 | $750 + SR-22 + 30-day license suspension |
| 31–90 days | $500 | $1,000 | $1,250 + SR-22 + 30-day license suspension |
| 91–180 days | $750 + SR-22 | $1,000 + SR-22 | $1,500 + SR-22 + 30-day license suspension |
| 181+ days | $1,250 + SR-22 | $1,500 + SR-22 | $1,750 + SR-22 + 30-day license suspension |
These totals don’t include a $1 technology fee assigned by the DMV’s online system or any associated court penalties. If you have a third offense, your license will be suspended for at least 30 days. To get your license back, you must pay a $75 reinstatement fee as well as the license cost and pass all required tests.[1]
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Nevada doesn’t allow any grace period for liability insurance. If you have even a one-day coverage lapse, your registration can be suspended, and you’ll need to pay at least a $250 reinstatement fee. If you plan to sell or store your car, make sure to cancel your registration and turn in your plates before you cancel your insurance.
The NV LIVE system checks your auto insurance electronically all year. Insurance companies send the DMV your vehicle identification number, your name, policy dates, and other details. If the records don’t match, the DMV will ask you to verify your insurance. If you don’t resolve the issue, you’ll receive a certified notice, and your registration can be suspended.[1]
To restore your registration, you must purchase new coverage and ensure your insurer validates it electronically. Then, you must pay the reinstatement fee and any penalties. If your lapse lasted 91 days or more, you’ll usually need to file an SR-22 for three years. If you have another lapse during that time, your license could be suspended.
Nevada’s minimum coverage and verification rules apply to all registered vehicles. However, optional insurance can help cover costs that the state minimum doesn’t pay for. If you still have questions, the following answers can help.
No. Nevada is a fault-based state. This means the driver who causes the accident may have to pay for injuries, property damage, medical bills, lost income, and other covered costs.
Nevada requires 25/50/20 liability coverage: $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 of bodily injury per accident, and $20,000 of property damage liability.
Nevada doesn’t require UM/UIM coverage, but insurance companies must offer it. This optional coverage can help pay for injuries if a driver without enough insurance causes a crash.
NV LIVE checks DMV registration records against insurance policy data insurers send. It monitors your coverage continuously and flags any lapses or mismatched information.
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15 years at the Boston Globe
5+ years covering insurance industry
Doug joined Insurify as a senior content writer in 2025. He was previously a regular contributor to InsuranceNewsNet.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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