2026 Nevada Revised StatutesChapter 485 – Motor Vehicles: Insurance And Financial ResponsibilityNRS 484.185 Insurance for payment of tort liabilities arising from maintenance or use of motor vehicle: Coverage to be obtained from insurance company duly licensed and approved; minimum thresholds of coverage.

Statutory Text

1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, every owner of a motor vehicle which is registered or required to be registered in this State shall continuously provide, while the motor vehicle is present or registered in this State, insurance provided by an insurance company licensed by the Division of Insurance of the Department of Business and Industry and approved to do business in this State:

(a) In the amount of $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one crash;

(b) Subject to the limit for one person, in the amount of $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one crash; and

(c) In the amount of $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one crash,

Ê for the payment of tort liabilities arising from the maintenance or use of the motor vehicle.

2.  The provisions of this section do not apply to a moped.

(Added to NRS by 1979, 1820; A 1981, 1862; 1987, 1090; 1993, 2484; 1995, 2734; 2007, 2049; 2015, 1646, 1768; 2017, 1340)

NV Rev Stat § 485.185 – Last Verified February 2026

Plain English Explanation

## Nevada’s Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements Explained

Nevada law requires nearly every vehicle owner in the state to carry car insurance at all times. This requirement applies as long as the vehicle is registered in Nevada or physically present in the state, and the coverage must come from an insurance company that is licensed and approved to operate in Nevada.

The law sets three specific minimum amounts of coverage that every qualifying vehicle owner must maintain.

The first covers bodily injury or death to a single person in a crash. That minimum is $25,000. So if one person is hurt or killed in an accident, your insurance must be able to pay up to that amount for their injuries or death.

The second covers situations where two or more people are hurt or killed in the same crash. The total minimum for those situations is $50,000. However, no single person from that group can receive more than the $25,000 single-person limit.

The third type of coverage is for property damage. If you damage someone else’s property in a crash, your insurance must cover at least $20,000 worth of that damage.

Together, these three numbers are what Nevada drivers commonly refer to as 25/50/20 coverage. They represent the floor, not the ceiling, meaning you are always free to purchase more coverage than the law requires.

There is one notable exception to all of this. Mopeds are specifically excluded from this requirement. If you own a moped, you are not legally obligated under this statute to carry the same insurance a standard motor vehicle owner must have.

The underlying purpose of the law is to make sure that when someone causes a crash, there is a real source of money available to compensate the people they injured or the property they damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions About NRS 485.185

What is the minimum car insurance required in Nevada?

Nevada requires all registered vehicle owners to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per crash when two or more people are injured, and $20,000 for property damage. These minimums are often written as 25/50/20 and represent the least amount of coverage you are legally allowed to carry on a registered vehicle in the state.

Does Nevada require car insurance at all times or just when driving?

Nevada law requires you to maintain continuous insurance coverage as long as your vehicle is registered in the state or physically present here. That means coverage cannot lapse even when the vehicle is parked, stored, or not being driven regularly. If your policy expires or is cancelled, you are already out of compliance with the law.

Does Nevada’s minimum insurance requirement apply to mopeds?

No. Mopeds are specifically excluded from the requirements set out in NRS 485.185. Owners of mopeds are not legally required under this statute to carry the same minimum insurance that owners of standard motor vehicles must maintain.

Does the insurance have to come from a specific type of company?

Yes. Nevada law requires that your auto insurance be provided by a company that is licensed by the Nevada Division of Insurance and approved to conduct business in the state. A policy from an unlicensed or unapproved insurer would not satisfy the legal requirement, even if the coverage amounts meet the minimums.

What does Nevada’s minimum car insurance actually cover?

The required coverage is specifically designed to pay for harm you cause to other people and their property. The bodily injury portions cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses suffered by people you injure or kill in a crash. The property damage portion covers the cost of repairing or replacing property belonging to others that you damage. This type of coverage protects other people, not you personally.

If you were injured in a crash and are unsure whether the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage is enough to fully compensate you for what you have been through, the team at Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers has the experience to fight for every dollar you deserve. Reach out to Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and let them help you understand your rights before the insurance company convinces you to settle for less.