Understanding Automobile Insurance Coverages

In short: This page explains common auto-policy terms that show up after a Las Vegas crash. It is general information, not insurance advice. If you were hurt, start with car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or personal injury, then contact Clark Law Group.

How Your Coverage Can Affect a Personal-Injury Claim

Legacy article by Joseph C. Abraham

After an automobile accident, medical expenses can accumulate, time away from work can reduce income, and pain can affect daily life. A personal-injury attorney can help evaluate the claim after the collision. Insurance choices made before the collision can also affect which sources of coverage are available.

Consumers sometimes buy only the minimum coverage required by Nevada law because it lowers the monthly premium. Minimum coverage does not always match a household’s actual financial risk. Review the declarations page supplied with the policy and ask a licensed insurance professional to explain the coverage and limits.

Questions to review include:

• What are the bodily-injury liability limits for each injured person and each accident?
• What are the property-damage limits?
• Does the policy include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?
• Does the policy include medical-payments coverage?

After treatment concludes, an attorney can collect final medical records and bills and present the available claims. Settlement funds can be used to address valid liens, legal fees, and case costs before the remaining balance is disbursed to the client. For the evidence and deadline questions that arise after a collision, visit the Las Vegas car accident page or the motorcycle accident page. For a broader negligence-claim overview, see personal injury.

Glossary of Terms

The descriptions below summarize terms that can appear on an automobile policy declarations page. Policy language and coverage decisions control. Ask the insurer or a licensed insurance professional about a specific policy.

Bodily-Injury Liability

Bodily-injury liability coverage applies when an insured person is legally responsible for injuring another person in an automobile accident. The source page identifies Nevada’s statutory minimum limits under NRS 485.3091 as $25,000 for one injured person and $50,000 for two or more injured people.

Property-Damage Liability

Property-damage liability coverage can pay for damage to another vehicle or property when an insured person is legally responsible for the collision. The source page identifies Nevada’s statutory minimum property-damage limit under NRS 485.3091 as $20,000. This liability coverage does not ordinarily pay for damage to the insured person’s own vehicle.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage can apply when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage can apply when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are not sufficient to cover the covered losses. Terms, exclusions, and limits vary by policy.

Medical-Payments Coverage

Medical-payments coverage can pay covered medical costs after an automobile accident, subject to the policy’s terms and limits. It can apply without regard to who caused the collision.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage can pay for covered damage to or theft of a vehicle from events other than a collision, such as fire, vandalism, or falling objects. A finance company can require this coverage even when state law does not.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage can pay for covered damage to the insured vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or an object. A finance company can require this coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Nevada’s minimum auto liability limits?

The source page identifies Nevada’s statutory minimums under NRS 485.3091 as $25,000 for one injured person, $50,000 for two or more injured people, and $20,000 for property damage. A household can buy higher limits.

Does property-damage liability pay to repair my own car?

No. Property-damage liability can pay for another person’s vehicle or property when an insured person is legally responsible. It does not ordinarily pay for damage to the insured person’s own vehicle. Collision coverage is the policy term that can apply to the insured vehicle.

What is uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage can apply when the at-fault driver has no liability insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage can apply when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are not enough to cover the covered losses. Terms, exclusions, and limits vary by policy.

Does medical-payments coverage depend on who caused the crash?

Medical-payments coverage can pay covered medical costs after an automobile accident, subject to the policy’s terms and limits. It can apply without regard to who caused the collision.

Is this page legal or insurance advice?

No. This page gives general information. Coverage depends on the policy and facts. Ask a licensed insurance professional about a specific policy, and contact Clark Law Group about an injury claim.

Talk with the firm

This page gives general information, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage depends on the policy and facts. Contacting Clark Law Group does not create an attorney-client relationship.

For a free consultation about an injury claim, contact Clark Law Group or call 702-330-3272. The office is at 2320 Potosi St, Las Vegas.