If you own a home in Nevada, you may wonder what kind of insurance you need to protect your property and assets. Here are some details of Nevada home insurance requirements, laws, policies as well as average costs and best companies.
Nevada home insurance requirements
Nevada does not require home insurance by law, but if you finance your home, your lender may require you to have a homeowners insurance policy in place. Your policy's coverages are designed to safeguard your property and assets. A typical policy will include the following:
- Dwelling coverage: This covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home if it is damaged by a covered peril, such as fire, wind, hail, or vandalism.
- Personal property coverage: This covers the cost of replacing your belongings, such as furniture, clothing, electronics, or appliances, if they are stolen or damaged by a covered peril.
- Liability coverage: This covers the cost of legal fees and damages if you are sued for causing bodily injury or property damage to someone else.
- Medical payments coverage: This covers the cost of medical expenses for guests who are injured on your property, regardless of who is at fault.
- Loss of use coverage: This covers the cost of additional living expenses, such as hotel bills, food, or transportation, if you have to temporarily move out of your home due to a covered loss.
Nevada home insurance laws
Nevada home insurance laws regulate how insurers operate in the state and protect consumers' rights. Some of the laws that affect homeowners insurance in Nevada are:
- The Nevada Division of Insurance oversees the licensing and regulation of insurance companies and agents in the state. It also handles complaints and inquiries from consumers and enforces the state's insurance laws and regulations.
- The Nevada Fair Claims Practices Act requires insurers to handle claims promptly, fairly, and in good faith. It also sets deadlines for insurers to acknowledge, investigate, and pay claims.
- The Nevada Homeowner's Bill of Rights outlines the rights and responsibilities of homeowners and insurers in the event of a claim. It also provides information on how to file a complaint with the Division of Insurance or request mediation or arbitration for disputed claims.
Nevada home insurance policies
Nevada home insurance policies vary in terms of coverage options, limits, deductibles, and exclusions. You can choose from different types of policies depending on your needs and preferences. Some of the common types of policies are:
- HO-1: This is the most basic type of policy that covers only 10 perils: fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, vandalism or malicious mischief, theft, and volcanic eruption. It does not cover personal property or liability.
- HO-2: This is a broad form policy that covers 16 perils: the 10 perils covered by HO-1 plus falling objects, weight of ice, snow or sleet, accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam, sudden and accidental tearing apart or cracking of a heating or cooling system, freezing of plumbing or heating systems, and sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current. It also covers personal property and liability.
- HO-3: This is a special form policy that covers all perils except those that are specifically excluded. It is the most common type of policy that offers comprehensive coverage for your dwelling and personal property. It also covers liability.
- HO-4: This is a renters policy that covers only personal property and liability. It does not cover the dwelling itself.
- HO-5: This is a comprehensive form policy that covers all perils for both dwelling and personal property except those that are specifically excluded. It offers the highest level of coverage and is usually more expensive than HO-3.
- HO-6: This is a condo policy that covers only personal property and liability. It does not cover the dwelling itself but may cover some improvements or additions made by the owner. The condo association usually has a master policy that covers the common areas and structures.
- HO-7: This is a mobile home policy that covers similar perils as HO-3 but is designed for mobile homes that are permanently attached to a foundation.
- HO-8: This is a modified coverage policy that covers similar perils as HO-1 but is designed for older homes that have a replacement cost that exceeds their market value.
Nevada home insurance average costs
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Nevada is $1,103 per year or $92 per month for a typical policy with $