Buying Nevada auto insurance without knowing the basic facts is like leaping into one of the State's 300 plus hot springs before dipping a toe in. While that is a painful and possibly perilous venture, you wouldn't want to jump into the first auto insurance policy that comes your way either. Educating yourself on why Nevada auto insurance rates are so erratic can give you a better understanding on how to save some money.

The Rundown on Nevada Auto Insurance Rates
Nevadans were paying an average of $1,000 for auto insurance in 2007. Given that not all residents of The Silver State live and work in a congested area, drive expensive vehicles or have a tainted driving record, you could be paying well below that average. Factors such as your age, sex, marital status and credit score play a role in determining your Nevada auto insurance rates. Adding uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, collision or comprehensive insurances will raise your rate, but these coverages were designed to protect you from unforeseen predicaments and to save you from hefty bills that could arise after a disaster.

Layers of Protection
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported six consecutive years of declining car thefts the United States in 2009, and the Las Vegas-Paradise Metropolitan Statistical Area noted a reduction as well. However, falling from the number two spot in 2007 to the number nine spot in 2009 may not completely set your mind at ease, but armoring your vehicle with anti-theft devices just might do the trick and it will please your insurance agent as well. The NICB recommends you use a "layered approach" to protecting your vehicle: the more layers of protection on your vehicle, the more difficult it is to steal.

  • The first layer: use common sense. Always park in a well-lit area, remove your keys from the ignition, lock your doors and close your windows.
  • The second layer: use a warning device. Audible alarms, steering column collars, theft deterrent decals, window etching and wheel locks are just a handful of devices that thieves will see or hear when they approach your car.
  • The third layer: install an immobilizing device. Smart keys, kill switches and fuse cut-offs disallow thieves from starting or hot-wiring your car.
  • The fourth layer: implement a tracking device. If your car is stolen, a tracking device will alert police or a monitoring station by emitting a signal. Tracking devices can also lead police to the culprit who stole your car and/or help locate local chop shops.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Henderson Police Department added "Watch Your Car" to their auto theft prevention programs. This national program supplies decals to car owners to adhere to their vehicle's front windshield and rear windows. These decals allow police to stop the vehicle between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to verify if the driver is a registered owner, seeing as many thieves steal cars during this timeframe when they think the owners are sleeping. Implementing these preventative measures keeps your car safer and garners savings on your Nevada auto insurance rates.

Ace in the Hole
You must purchase liability insurance in the minimum amounts of $15,000 per injured person or death of one person per accident, $30,000 for injury or death of two or more people per accident, and $10,000 for property damage to drive legally in Nevada. While this might be the only coverage you deem necessary, it doesn't hurt to check out the competition. It's not a gamble to use LocalInsurance to shop for Nevada auto insurance rates… it's free! Simply visit LocalInsurance.com, enter your zip code and fill out a quick and easy form and you'll be on your way to savings.

To find more information on the auto insurance requirements in Nevada, visit these useful links: