No one anticipates being involved in a car accident, but they happen frequently. Car insurance is designed to provide financial assistance in such situations. However, many drivers choose not to purchase coverage beyond the minimum required. Nevada law requires all drivers to maintain at least 25/50/20 vehicle liability insurance.
In Nevada, car insurance policies must have minimum coverage limits of:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person,
- $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident (covering all individuals in the other vehicle), and
- $20,000 for property damage to the other vehicle.
However, about 12% of drivers do not carry car insurance, according to a 2022 United States report. And many drivers only have the minimum 25/50/20 coverage, which often isn’t high enough coverage in serious accidents.
If you are hit by an uninsured driver or by a driver whose policy limits are insufficient to cover your injuries, you may struggle to pay medical bills, car repair costs, and other losses following a car accident.
Private health insurance or government programs like Medicare can provide significant assistance. However, many health insurance plans do not cover services such as chiropractic care and acupuncture. Additionally, some policies come with high deductibles and co-pays, and health insurance will not cover car repairs.
We hope this article encourages you to consider uninsured motorist coverage and to explore options beyond the minimum liability insurance. While full coverage isn’t mandatory in Nevada, it offers substantial protection and peace of mind.
Explaining Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage reimburses policyholders in an accident involving an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in Nevada compensates you for reasonable and necessary medical expenses (special damages) caused by an uninsured motorist. It also covers general damages (pain and suffering) and wage loss resulting from the uninsured motorist’s actions. This coverage is represented by two numbers on your auto insurance policy, similar to your bodily injury liability coverage. Typical coverage amounts are 25/50, 50/100, 100/300. The first number is the per person limit, and the second number is the per accident limit. These coverages are often designated as UM (uninsured motorists) and UIM (underinsured motorists) coverage.
Undinsured Coverage in Nevada
In Nevada, if you have uninsured motorist coverage, you automatically have underinsurance coverage as well. Underinsurance coverage applies when your damages exceed the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability limits. It picks up where the other driver’s liability coverage ends.
For instance:
- If your injury claim amounts to $50,000 and the at-fault driver’s policy provides 25/50 bodily injury liability coverage, and you have 25/50 underinsurance coverage, the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover $25,000. Your underinsurance coverage will then cover the remaining $25,000, ensuring full compensation for your claim.
- In a scenario where your injury claim is valued at $150,000, with the same coverage limits, you would receive $25,000 from the at-fault driver’s insurance and an additional $25,000 from your underinsurance. The remaining $100,000 would not be covered, as it exceeds both coverage limits.
Have you been hurt in a car accident and need help? At Howard Injury Law, we specialize in all kinds of motor vehicle accidents and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Contact Howard Injury Law:
📲 702.331.5722
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