Guide to DUIs in Nevada

Let’s take a look at Nevada’s Revised Statutes, which stipulate what is considered “driving under the influence,” as well as the penalties for breaking the law.

Penalties for DUI Offenses

A DUI is a misdemeanor for first or second offenses or a felony for third offenses that occur within seven years. However, even a first offense could land you in jail for up to six months, plus more than $1,000 in fines total.¹ For second and third offenses, your driving privileges can be revoked, preventing you from operating a motor vehicle for five days.

Having a DUI conviction makes you a high-risk driver, which translates to a higher car insurance premium regardless of your provider.

Average Costs

On average, car insurance premiums in Nevada increase by 58 percent following a DUI conviction. However, that increase can range from 33 to 131 percent or more, depending on the provider, the rest of your driving history, your demographics, ZIP code, and many other factors that affect the cost of car insurance.

Will You Be Covered?

Not every company caters to high-risk drivers, so your provider may cancel your policy mid-term following a DUI conviction or license suspension. That being said, it’s required to notify you at least 30 days before your policy expires so you have enough time to get a new policy and avoid a lapse in coverage, which would result in having to get an SR-22.

You’ll need this window, as finding car insurance with a DUI is much harder than it would be with a clean driving record.

To find car insurance after a DUI, you’ll need to compare quotes from multiple providers to see which one can provide the best coverage for the most affordable rates. But where do you start?

Best and Cheapest Options

The cheapest and best DUI insurance in Nevada is:

• State Farm
• USAA (for military members, veterans, and their families only)
• GEICO

Alternatives

Let’s say you’ve shopped around and cannot find a provider that will agree to cover you. If that’s the case, the state of Nevada guarantees you coverage from its high-risk pool. And owners of 11 or more vehicles with the required security will be able to self-insure. Let’s take a closer look at these two alternatives to private auto insurance policies.

• High-risk pool: The Western Association Automobile Insurance Plan will provide you with the required liability insurance if you can’t find coverage elsewhere. Use the following contact information to learn more:
  • Mailing address:
    • Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans
    • P.O. Box 6530
    • Providence, Rhode Island 02940-6530
  • Phone number: 800-227-4659
  • Fax number: 800-827-6260
  • Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. PT
  • Email: waaip@aipso.com
  • Online: https://www.aipso.com/Find-a-Producer
• Self-insurance: If you have a certain number of vehicles and can provide the required collateral, which is either 130 percent of your average annual cost of claims for the past three years, or the below security, you can insure your own cars. However, this option will likely apply to commercial vehicles only, as most of us don’t own more than 10 cars to begin with.

How to Save

Now that you’ve found a provider, here’s how to get the lowest auto insurance rates you can.

1. Get minimum coverage. The minimum coverage that Nevada requires is a total of $95,000 of liability coverage, specifically:
   • Bodily injury liability per person: $25,000
   • Bodily injury liability per accident: $50,000
   • Property damage liability per accident: $20,000³
2. Improve your credit score. In Nevada, it’s legal for companies to consider credit score when they determine auto insurance premiums. Improving your credit score will result in lower rates.
3. Bundle home and auto. If you’re part of the 63 percent of Nevadians that own their homes, bundle home and auto insurance to save money.⁴ Even renters may be able to bundle renters and auto policies with some companies.

Although Nevada is known for its fun and nightlife, drunk driving is never acceptable or safe. Avoid state fines, imprisonment, community service, and license suspensions, as well as higher car insurance rates, by driving sober.