Nevada may be known for Las Vegas, but the state itself is a large state with plenty to see and do outside Sin City.
Yet just as there is more to Nevada than Vegas, there's more to choosing insurance coverage than just calling up the closest agent and telling them you need insurance. This is particularly true for Nevada, where insurance rates tend to be higher than the rest of the country. But knowing what exactly makes them higher is a great start in knowing how to save.
Nevada Insurance Rates for Autos
Take a look at some of the factors that make Nevada the state with the 7th highest auto insurance rates in the nation:
- Auto theft. While Las Vegas consistently ranks in the top ten cities in the country for the most auto thefts, it's not just the big cities in Nevada that have higher rates. When auto theft rates are higher than average anywhere, rates will go up. Luckily, you can counter this and get lower rates by installing a car alarm and parking in a garage or carport if you have one.
- Large urban populations. States that have large populations, as Las Vegas does, or see a large influx in tourism and people in general, also have higher insurance rates. Unless you move, there isn't much you can do about this one.
- Expensive cars. Wealthier states or cities tend to have cars that are valued higher than middle class areas or lower-income states. As a result, they are more expensive to fix and repair.
- High traffic death/accident rates. Nevada has very high traffic accident and death rates; as a result, insurance will also be higher. You can get auto insurance discounts by keeping a safe driving record, taking defensive driving courses, and avoiding tickets. An accident forgiveness policy, if your record is good enough to qualify for one, is also a good idea to keep your rates from going sky high in the event of an accident.
Just like the scenery in Nevada itself, Nevada insurance rates fluctuate wildly depending on your driving record, where you live (lower populations vs. a large city), and your age and gender. So while you may be paying the state average of over $1,000 if you are a male under 25 living in Las Vegas, you could be paying nearly half that if you are a 40-year-old female living in Elko.
Saving On Nevada Insurance Rates
Just because the averages are high doesn't mean you have to pay an arm and a leg for insurance. One of the best ways to save money on your insurance costs is by shopping around and getting multiple quotes from various companies. This can be tedious work, but not if you use a comprehensive, free site like localinsurance.com. Here, you can research insurance and then get multiple quotes. Doing this will give you the confidence of knowing you got the best deal on your Nevada insurance rates.
