In Nevada, the only mandatory car insurance a driver must carry is liability insurance. Such coverage is for:

• Property damage: if you are the cause of the damage to the property or vehicle of someone else and it is a type of accident that is covered by your insurance provider.
• Bodily injury: if you are the cause of an accident that results in certain expenses owed by another injured person or persons.

Collision insurance covers damage to your car when you are in an accident that you cause. It will pay the cost of repairs after you have paid your deductible. Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your car caused by something other than a collision with another car. Some reasons for comprehensive coverage include non-collision damage caused by:

• Striking an animal
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Fire
• Breakage of glass, for example, by a stone ricocheting off your window
• Acts of nature, such as storm damage

Unlike requiring drivers to carry liability insurance, the state of Nevada does not require drivers to have collision/comprehensive coverage. But, if you have a car that is almost new, it would be a good idea to get this type of insurance. The more you pay for coverage, the lower your deductible is.

If your car is quite old, however, buying this kind of coverage may not be worth it. The most insurance will pay if you incur collision/comprehensive damages is the Kelley Blue Book value.

Insurance Claims When Something Goes Wrong

Sometimes insurance companies use certain tactics to avoid reimbursing a policyholder, even if they are legally required to do so. For example, the company may deny paying you, or delay paying you for a number of reasons, hoping you will stop pursuing them out of frustration and being worn down.

If you purchased a collision/comprehensive insurance policy and your insurance company tries to get out of paying for a legitimate claim, you should consult an attorney before giving up. Sometimes even the most reputable insurance companies act in bad faith in order to protect their bottom line. Examples of bad faith practices include:

• Failing to respond promptly to a claim that is filed
• Wrongfully delaying payment of a claim
• Denying a legitimate claim without conducting a fair investigation
• Failing to provide a reason for denying a legitimate claim

If you believe that your auto insurance company has wrongfully denied or delayed payment of your claim, you should consult an attorney to find out if you qualify to file a claim. To schedule a consultation with a qualified attorney in Nevada, contact Matthew L. Sharp today. Mr. Sharp is a highly skilled bad faith insurance lawyer who represents individuals in claims involving all types of auto insurance policies. To schedule a consultation to discuss a possible case, contact our law office today.