4.8out of 3,000+ reviews
Updated December 21, 2022
Residents of Reno, Nevada, bask in the glow of 300 days of sunshine each year.[1] Sunny days aren’t the only thing Reno drivers have to smile about: They can also relish relatively low auto insurance premiums for their state.
While Nevada drivers pay an average of $433 per month for car insurance, Reno drivers pay an average of $215 per month — more than 50% less than the state average.
Table of contents
- How much does car insurance cost in Reno?
- Average cost of auto insurance in Reno
- Cheapest car insurance in Reno: Sun Coast
- How much car insurance do you need in Reno?
- Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Reno
- How age affects car insurance rates in Reno
- How credit scores affect cheap car insurance in Reno
- The effect of driving habits on car insurance in Reno
- Find local Reno agents
- Reno car insurance FAQs
How much does car insurance cost in Reno?
Your exact car insurance quote will vary based on your unique situation. Some factors that insurance companies use to determine premiums include your age, driving history, vehicle, policy type, ZIP code, and more.[2] Shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies is the best way to find the cheapest auto insurance policy that meets your needs.
Insurify data scientists conducted an analysis to better understand the average costs for Reno drivers. In this city, the average cost of a minimum-coverage car insurance policy is $151 per month. Drivers who opt for a full-coverage policy pay an average of $252 per month.
Insurify tracked down the cheapest car insurance options in Reno:
Cheapest liability-only insurance: Sun Coast offers drivers the cheapest liability-only policies, at $85 per month on average.
Cheapest full-coverage policy: Travelers offers drivers an average monthly premium of $189 for a full-coverage policy.
Cheapest insurance for young drivers: Travelers offers drivers the cheapest insurance for young drivers in Reno, with an average premium of $167 per month.
Average cost of auto insurance in Reno
If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance policy, shopping around can lead to big rewards. Although Sun Coast and Kemper offer the cheapest average rates, getting quotes from multiple insurance companies can prevent you from overpaying.
Here’s a closer look at the average monthly costs for Reno drivers by insurance company.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Kemper | $146 |
Sun Coast | $156 |
Mercury | $170 |
Travelers | $172 |
Kemper Specialty | $178 |
Safeco | $189 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $194 |
Nationwide | $197 |
Liberty Mutual | $205 |
Dairyland | $222 |
Progressive | $241 |
Bristol West | $310 |
Acuity | $373 |
Average car insurance premiums in Reno by marital status
Whether or not you’ve tied the knot can affect your Reno car insurance premiums. In general, married policyholders file fewer claims than unmarried policyholders. A higher likelihood of filing a claim can lead to higher car insurance costs for unmarried drivers.
In Reno, unmarried drivers pay an average premium of $245 per month. In contrast, married drivers pay an average of $220 per month.
Cheapest car insurance in Reno: Sun Coast
While Sun Coast offers the cheapest liability-only car insurance options for average drivers in Reno, Kemper offers the cheapest options for drivers seeking a full-coverage policy. But keep in mind that your exact quotes will vary based on your ZIP code, driving record, age, vehicle type, and more.
Since every insurance company takes a slightly different approach to determining premiums, shopping around can pay off in the form of lower rates. Although Sun Coast offers the cheapest average rates, you might tap into more savings by comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies.
Here’s a closer look at the average costs based on the insurance company:
Insurance Company | Liability Only | Full Coverage |
---|---|---|
Sun Coast | $85 | $207 |
Kemper | $96 | $173 |
Travelers | $100 | $189 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $108 | $224 |
Safeco | $111 | $213 |
Mercury | $121 | $201 |
Nationwide | $129 | $215 |
Liberty Mutual | $131 | $241 |
Progressive | $160 | $293 |
Dairyland | $189 | $252 |
Bristol West | $214 | $366 |
How much car insurance do you need in Reno?
You can’t drive in Reno without car insurance. At the very least, you’ll need to carry the minimum amount of car insurance set by the Nevada Division of Insurance. You must carry at least 25/50/20 car insurance. Here’s the breakdown:[3]
$25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
$50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$20,000 in property damage liability coverage
In addition to purchasing this coverage, you’ll need to carry proof of your insurance policy with you. While some drivers might prefer to keep a physical copy of this card in their wallet, others might take advantage of a digital proof of insurance card. A law enforcement officer can ask for this document for any driving-related reason.
Although the minimum insurance requirements are often cheaper, opting for this coverage might leave your wallet vulnerable. For example, minimum insurance won’t help you replace your vehicle after a wildfire, but comprehensive insurance will.
Nevada DMV information
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers services to make managing your responsibilities as a driver easier. With more than 20 DMV locations across the state, Reno has two office locations.
For most services at the Reno DMV locations, you’ll need to make an appointment. But many of its services are available online — for example, you can update your policy information or cancel your registration from the comfort of your couch.[4]
Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Reno
Reno drivers pay an average of $215 per month for car insurance, or $2,580 a year. This substantial bill can be a drain on anyone’s financial situation, which makes finding cheap car insurance a priority for many drivers.
Here are some of the ways to lower your car insurance costs:
Seek out discounts. Most car insurers offer a wide range of discounts. It never hurts to ask if you qualify. Discounts are commonly available for students, military members, drivers with extra vehicle safety features, and drivers who bundle their home and car insurance.
Prioritize safe driving. Drivers without any violations on their record can typically find lower auto insurance premiums.
Choose a higher deductible. Higher deductibles often come with lower insurance premiums. But don’t choose a deductible that you can’t afford to pay if you’re in an accident and need to file a claim.
A thoughtful vehicle choice is another way to find savings. “Luxurious, sporty cars and newer-model cars are expensive to buy and expensive to fix, so they cost more to insure,” says William Styles, an insurance agent with Country Financial.
“On the other hand, newer cars with sensors and other safety features don’t just give you peace of mind on the road, they can be safer to drive and help keep your insurance rates low, too,” he adds.
If you take the time to compare insurance costs before you purchase your next vehicle, you could tap into significant savings.
Additionally, shopping around provides an effective way to lock in cheap car insurance. As you comparison shop, you can determine which company offers the lowest rate for your unique situation. An online quote-comparison tool makes it painless to track down quotes from multiple companies in a matter of minutes. With that information, you can choose the cheapest option.
Read More: Compare Home and Auto Insurance Bundles
How age affects car insurance rates in Reno
Mature drivers have more experience behind the wheel, which translates into fewer accidents than younger drivers. Insurance companies typically charge more to insure younger drivers. In Reno, teenagers pay the most for car insurance. After hitting your 25th birthday, you’ll likely see significantly lower rates.
The table below outlines the average Reno drivers can expect to pay each month based on their age group.
Age Group | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Teenagers | $359 |
Under 25 | $270 |
25-29 | $197 |
30s | $175 |
40s | $177 |
50s | $135 |
60s | $143 |
70s | $160 |
80+ | $152 |
Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Reno
Young drivers generally pay more for car insurance because of their lack of driving experience. On average, young drivers in Reno find the cheapest full-coverage premiums with Travelers. Other relatively affordable options include Safeco, Sun Coast, and Kemper.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Rate |
---|---|
Safeco | $168 |
Sun Coast | $176 |
Kemper | $192 |
Nationwide | $217 |
Mercury | $227 |
Progressive | $235 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $238 |
Liberty Mutual | $247 |
Dairyland | $278 |
Bristol West | $351 |
Cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Reno
Middle-aged drivers will likely find more affordable premiums than young drivers. On average, middle-aged drivers find the cheapest full-coverage policy through Kemper, at $92 per month.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Kemper | $92 |
Safeco | $124 |
Sun Coast | $129 |
Travelers | $134 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $134 |
Mercury | $135 |
Nationwide | $145 |
Liberty Mutual | $145 |
Dairyland | $181 |
Progressive | $188 |
Bristol West | $241 |
Acuity | $249 |
Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in Reno
While senior drivers in Reno tend to find slightly higher rates than middle-aged drivers, affordable premiums are still available. On average, seniors find the lowest rates for a full-coverage policy through Safeco, at $114 per month.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Safeco | $114 |
Travelers | $117 |
Mercury | $122 |
Liberty Mutual | $124 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $128 |
Progressive | $130 |
Nationwide | $141 |
Sun Coast | $143 |
Kemper | $160 |
Dairyland | $164 |
Bristol West | $211 |
Acuity | $459 |
How credit scores affect cheap car insurance in Reno
Many insurance companies look at your credit information when setting a premium rate.[5] In Reno, drivers with excellent credit scores tend to pay less for insurance than those with poor credit scores.
FICO scores fall between 300 and 850. A good credit score falls between 670 and 739, while a poor credit score falls below 579. If you want to improve your credit score, consider making on-time payments a priority.
Here’s a breakdown of average monthly quotes for full-coverage policies in Reno:
Credit Tier | Average Monthly Quote |
---|---|
Excellent | $175 |
Good | $198 |
Fair | $206 |
Poor | $191 |
Learn More: Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier
The effect of driving habits on car insurance in Reno
When determining insurance premiums, insurance companies take a close look at your driving record. Drivers with a record free of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs typically pay less for car insurance than drivers with any of these violations on their record.
The tables below outline how different driving infractions could increase your car insurance rates.
It’s important to note that when you see a negative difference in a table, it doesn’t mean that particular insurance company lowers rates for drivers with that infraction on their records. Rather, it may mean that our sample size was small — insurers may choose to not offer policies to drivers with that infraction. Your actual rate can vary, based on a number of factors other than driving record.
Cheapest car insurance with an accident in Reno: Kemper
Kemper offers drivers with an accident in their past the cheapest car insurance, at an average of $89 per month. If you cause an accident, your insurance premiums will likely increase. But even with an incident in your past, some insurance companies offer affordable rates.
Car Insurance Company | Clean Record | With Accident | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Safeco | $127 | $152 | +$25 |
Sun Coast | $129 | $202 | +$73 |
Travelers | $130 | $156 | +$26 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $152 | $287 | +$135 |
Mercury | $156 | $192 | +$36 |
Nationwide | $159 | $139 | -$20 |
Progressive | $162 | $207 | +$45 |
Kemper | $165 | $89 | -$76 |
Liberty Mutual | $166 | $210 | +$44 |
Dairyland | $203 | $270 | +$67 |
Bristol West | $242 | $391 | +$149 |
Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in Reno: Kemper
A DUI is a serious driving violation that often leads to higher insurance premiums. But after a DUI, Reno drivers can still find affordable premium options. For example, Kemper offers drivers with a DUI on their driving record average monthly premiums of $61.
Car Insurance Company | Clean Record | With DUI | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Safeco | $127 | $160 | +$33 |
Sun Coast | $129 | $183 | +$54 |
Travelers | $130 | $163 | +$33 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $152 | $147 | -$5 |
Mercury | $156 | $194 | +$38 |
Progressive | $162 | $300 | +$138 |
Kemper | $165 | $61 | -$104 |
Liberty Mutual | $166 | $198 | +$32 |
Dairyland | $203 | $243 | +$40 |
Bristol West | $242 | $350 | +$108 |
Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in Reno: Kemper
If you get distracted by the beautiful scenery in Reno, you might end up with a speeding ticket. In general, speeding tickets leads to higher monthly premiums. But Reno drivers can still find affordable auto insurance rates. Kemper offers drivers with a speeding ticket average monthly premiums of $83.
Car Insurance Company | Clean Record | With Speeding Ticket | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Safeco | $127 | $155 | +$28 |
Sun Coast | $129 | $169 | +$40 |
Travelers | $130 | $170 | +$40 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $152 | $208 | +$56 |
Mercury | $156 | $205 | +$49 |
Nationwide | $159 | $270 | +$111 |
Progressive | $162 | $179 | +$17 |
Kemper | $165 | $83 | -$82 |
Liberty Mutual | $166 | $208 | +$42 |
Dairyland | $203 | $242 | +$39 |
Bristol West | $242 | $360 | +$118 |
Car insurance in other Nevada cities
Car insurance rates can vary greatly from city to city — even within the same state. Here’s a look at car insurance in some other Nevada cities:
Find local Reno agents
Alpine Insurance Associates
6160 Plumas,
Suite 100, Reno, NV 89519Comstock Insurance Agencies, Inc.
9424 Double R Blvd,
Reno, NV 89521Amity Insurance Services Inc
3100 Mill Street #102,
Reno, NV 89502Suburbia Corp. dba:Patrick W Condon & Associates
619 S Arlington Ave.,
Reno, NV 89509Lacerda Group
770 Trademark Dr # 202,
Reno, NV 89521-5926Snoaspen Insurance Group, Inc.
10775 Double R. Blvd,
Reno, NV 89521Breen Insurance Inc.
7155 Park Valley Ct,
Reno, NV 89523Ardent Insurance Inc
6119 Ridgeview Ct. #500,
Reno, NV 89519USI Insurance Services
5355 Kietzke Lane Ste 1,
Reno, NV 89511Wilkins & Associates Insurance Services, Inc.
140 W. Huffaker Lane,
Ste 508, Reno, NV 89511-4012
Reno car insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Reno, Nevada.
On average, car insurance costs $215 per month, or $2,580 per year, in Reno. As a driver in Reno, your exact costs will vary based on your unique situation. Take a few minutes to compare quotes to find the best deal.
Drivers in Reno need at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident, and $20,000 in property damage liability. But you might opt for more coverage to better protect your wallet from the fallout of an accident.
If you’re caught driving without insurance in Reno, you’ll pay a fine. Depending on the situation, you may pay between $250 and $1,750 as a penalty. Additionally, your driver’s license might be suspended.
Sun Coast, Kemper, and Travelers offer some of the cheapest car insurance options in Reno. For liability-only car insurance, drivers pay an average of $85 per month with Sun Coast, $96 per month with Kemper, and $100 per month with Travelers.
Nationwide offers the best coverage in Reno, according to Insurify data. Although the company doesn’t offer rock-bottom prices, it still stands out as a reliable insurance company.
Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly
Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Service's database of auto insurance rates. With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums.
Sources
- Visit Reno Tahoe. "Reno Climate and Lake Tahoe Climate." Accessed December 19, 2022
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed December 19, 2022
- Nevada Division of Insurance. "Understanding Auto Insurance." Accessed December 19, 2022
- Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. "Online Services." Accessed December 19, 2022
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores." Accessed December 19, 2022