2026 Nevada Revised StatutesChapter 485 – Motor Vehicles: Insurance And Financial ResponsibilityNRS 485.3091 Motor vehicle liability policy: Requirements.

Statutory Text

1.  An owner’s policy of liability insurance must:

(a) Designate by explicit description or by appropriate reference all motor vehicles with respect to which coverage is thereby to be granted; and

(b) Insure the person named therein and any other person, as insured, using any such motor vehicle with the express or implied permission of the named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of such motor vehicle within the United States of America or the Dominion of Canada, subject to limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each such motor vehicle, as follows:

(1) Because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one crash, $25,000;

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

(3) Because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one crash, $20,000.

2.  An operator’s policy of liability insurance must insure the person named as insured therein against loss from the liability imposed upon the person by law for damages arising out of the person’s use of any motor vehicle within the same territorial limits and subject to the same limits of liability as are set forth in paragraph (b) of subsection 1.

3.  A motor vehicle liability policy must state the name and address of the named insured, the coverage afforded by the policy, the premium charged therefor, the period of effectiveness and the limits of liability, and must contain an agreement or be endorsed that insurance is provided thereunder in accordance with the coverage defined in this chapter as respects bodily injury and death or property damage, or both, and is subject to all the provisions of this chapter.

4.  A motor vehicle liability policy need not insure any liability under any workers’ compensation law nor any liability on account of bodily injury to or death of an employee of the insured while engaged in the employment, other than domestic, of the insured, or while engaged in the operation, maintenance or repair of any motor vehicle owned by the insured nor any liability for damage to property owned by, rented to, in charge of or transported by the insured.

5.  Every motor vehicle liability policy is subject to the following provisions which need not be contained therein:

(a) The liability of the insurance carrier with respect to the insurance required by this chapter becomes absolute whenever injury or damage covered by the policy occurs. The policy may not be cancelled or annulled as to such liability by any agreement between the insurance carrier and the insured after the occurrence of the injury or damage. No statement made by the insured or on behalf of the insured and no violation of the policy defeats or voids the policy.

(b) The satisfaction by the insured of a judgment for injury or damage is not a condition precedent to the right or duty of the insurance carrier to make payment on account of the injury or damage.

(c) The insurance carrier may settle any claim covered by the policy, and if such a settlement is made in good faith, the amount thereof is deductible from the limits of liability specified in paragraph (b) of subsection 1.

(d) The policy, the written application therefor, if any, and any rider or endorsement which does not conflict with the provisions of this chapter constitute the entire contract between the parties.

6.  Any policy which grants the coverage required for a motor vehicle liability policy may also grant any lawful coverage in excess of or in addition to the coverage specified for a motor vehicle liability policy, and the excess or additional coverage is not subject to the provisions of this chapter.

7.  Any motor vehicle liability policy may provide for the prorating of the insurance thereunder with other valid and collectible insurance.

8.  The requirements for a motor vehicle liability policy may be fulfilled by the policies of one or more insurance carriers, which policies together meet those requirements.

9.  Any binder issued pending the issuance of a motor vehicle liability policy shall be deemed to fulfill the requirements for such a policy.

(Added to NRS by 1957, 726; A 1963, 222; 1967, 1203; 1969, 178; 1973, 837; 1979, 1516; 1981, 628; 1987, 1094; 2015, 1652; 2017, 1341)

NV Rev Stat § 485.3091 – Last Verified February 2026

Plain English Explanation

When you register and drive a car in Nevada, the state requires you to carry a specific type of insurance called a motor vehicle liability policy. This law spells out exactly what that policy must cover and how it has to work.

There are two kinds of policies this statute addresses. An owner’s policy covers the vehicle itself and applies to anyone who drives it with the owner’s permission, whether that permission was given out loud or just understood. An operator’s policy covers a specific driver no matter what vehicle they happen to be using.

The Minimum Coverage Amounts

Nevada sets the floor for how much your insurance must be willing to pay out after a crash. If one person is hurt or killed, your policy has to cover at least $25,000. If two or more people are injured or killed in the same crash, the total coverage rises to $50,000, though that $25,000 cap still applies to any single person’s claim. For property damage, the minimum is $20,000 per crash.

These numbers represent the least amount of coverage allowed by law. Many drivers choose higher limits for better financial protection.

What the Policy Must Include

Every valid liability policy in Nevada must clearly state the name and address of the person insured, what the policy actually covers, how much the premium costs, when the coverage is active, and what the liability limits are. The insurance company also has to confirm in writing that the policy meets all the requirements set by this chapter of Nevada law.

When Coverage Kicks In

One of the most important parts of this statute is that once an accident happens and the policy covers it, the insurance company’s obligation to pay becomes absolute. The company cannot cancel or wipe out that obligation by making a side agreement with the insured person after the fact. Even if the insured made a false statement or violated some term of the policy, the policy cannot be voided once an injury or damage has already occurred.

The injured person does not have to wait for a court judgment to be fully paid before the insurance company steps in. The company can and should pay without requiring that condition first.

What the Policy Does Not Have to Cover

The law does not require a liability policy to cover injuries to an employee who was hurt while working for the insured, since those claims fall under workers’ compensation. It also does not require coverage for damage to property that the insured owns, rents, or is transporting.

Flexibility Within the Law

Insurance companies are allowed to offer coverage beyond these minimums, and that extra coverage operates under different rules. A policy can also share responsibility with other insurance policies through a process called prorating. The minimum requirements can even be satisfied by combining two or more separate insurance policies together, as long as they jointly meet what the law demands.

Frequently Asked Questions About NRS 485.3091

What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Nevada?

Nevada law requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 in coverage for bodily injury or death to one person in a single crash, $50,000 for bodily injury or death to two or more people in the same crash, and $20,000 for property damage. These are often referred to as Nevada’s 25/50/20 minimums, and all drivers must meet them to legally operate a vehicle in the state.

What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Nevada?

Yes. Under an owner’s policy, your liability insurance covers not just you but also anyone who drives your vehicle with your permission. That permission does not have to be formal or written. If you let a friend borrow your car or a family member takes it with your general understanding that they can, your policy applies to them as well.

Can my insurance company cancel my policy after a car accident in Nevada?

Not in a way that erases their obligation to pay for that accident. Once a covered crash occurs, Nevada law makes the insurance company’s duty to pay absolute. They cannot enter into an agreement with you after the fact to cancel or void the coverage that applies to that specific incident. Even if you violated a term of your policy or made an inaccurate statement, the insurer cannot use that to escape paying for an accident that already happened.

Does someone have to win a lawsuit before my insurance pays them in Nevada?

No. Nevada law is clear that a person injured in a crash does not have to obtain and fully satisfy a court judgment before your insurance company is required to make payment. The insurer can and should pay out on a covered claim without waiting for the legal process to run its full course.

Does Nevada car insurance cover damage to my own property?

No. A motor vehicle liability policy as defined by Nevada law is designed to cover damage you cause to others, not to your own belongings. Property you own, rent, have in your care, or are transporting is excluded from the mandatory coverage requirements. If you want protection for your own vehicle or belongings, you would need to add additional coverage like collision or comprehensive to your policy.

If you were hurt in a crash and you’re not sure whether the at-fault driver’s insurance is treating you fairly under Nevada law, Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers can review your situation and help you understand what you’re truly owed. Reach out to their team today and let an experienced Nevada injury firm put this law to work for you.