Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Seniors in Nevada
Nevada doesn't require uninsured motorist coverage, but for an older driver it often matters more than the coverage that is required.
It's optional in Nevada, and worth carrying anyway
Nevada law doesn't require you to buy uninsured motorist coverage. Your insurer has to offer it to you, but you can turn it down in writing. Plenty of drivers do, usually to save money on the renewal.
The case for keeping it has nothing to do with your age as a driver and everything to do with what happens if someone with no insurance, or not enough of it, hits you. Your own driving record stays clean either way. What changes is who pays if you're hurt and the other driver can't.
What it covers that your other coverage doesn't
Your health insurance or Medicare may cover some of the medical bills after a crash, but not lost income, not pain and suffering, and often not the full cost of ongoing care. Uninsured motorist coverage is built to cover the gap between what the at-fault driver owes you and what they can actually pay.
In Nevada, a fair number of drivers carry no insurance at all, and others carry only the state minimum, which doesn't go far if the injuries are serious. If you're hit by either kind of driver, this is the coverage that steps in for you.
Recovery also tends to take longer later in life, and the costs that come with that, more appointments, more time away from normal activity, add up. Uninsured motorist coverage doesn't change how you heal, but it changes whether that cost lands on you.
If you already dropped this coverage to lower your premium, it's worth asking your insurer what it would cost to add it back, and comparing that against what you'd be on the hook for without it.
What people get wrong about needing it
Some drivers assume that if they're careful and have a clean record, they won't need uninsured motorist coverage, because they won't be the one at fault. But this coverage isn't about your driving. It's about the other driver's insurance, which you have no control over.
Others assume their regular health coverage will handle everything if they're hurt by an uninsured driver. It usually handles the hospital bill. It doesn't replace income you lose, and it doesn't cover what's called pain and suffering, which uninsured motorist coverage can.
It's also easy to assume this coverage only matters in a serious crash. It applies to smaller claims too, including situations where an uninsured driver causes damage but it's a disagreement over fault that leaves you without a clear path to get paid any other way.
If you're unsure what your policy includes, ask your insurer directly whether you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and what the limits are. The declarations page of your policy will also show it, usually listed separately from your liability coverage.
Questions people ask about this
Does Nevada require uninsured motorist coverage?
No. Nevada requires insurers to offer it, but you can decline it in writing. Check your policy's declarations page to see whether you accepted or declined it when you signed up.
What's the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage applies when they have insurance, but not enough to cover your costs. Nevada insurers typically offer both together, so ask your insurer how each applies and what your limits are for each.
Will uninsured motorist coverage raise my premium as a senior driver?
It can add to your premium, since it's additional coverage, but the amount depends on your insurer and the limits you choose. Ask your insurer for a quote with and without it so you can see the actual difference for your policy.
Can I add uninsured motorist coverage back after dropping it?
Usually yes, by contacting your insurer and requesting it be added to your policy. Some insurers may ask you to do this at renewal rather than mid-term, so ask when the change would take effect.
Does uninsured motorist coverage help if a hit-and-run driver can't be found?
In many cases, yes, since a driver who can't be identified is treated the same as an uninsured driver under this coverage. Confirm with your insurer how they handle hit-and-run claims specifically, since the process for proving the claim differs from a standard uninsured motorist claim.
See what it would cost to add or increase this coverage before you decide to go without it.
Pull out your current policy and find the declarations page, which lists each type of coverage you have and the limits attached to it. Look for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage specifically, since it's often listed apart from your liability coverage. If you don't see it, or the limits look low, call your insurer and ask what it would cost to add it or raise it. Ask them directly how they define an underinsured driver and what proof they require for a hit-and-run claim, since insurers handle this differently. Once you know your options, compare quotes from a few insurers so you can see the coverage and the cost side by side before your renewal.
