Guide compares Nevada auto insurance prices

Wednesday, April 21, 1999 | 10:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman on Tuesday released the annual consumer's guide that shows motorists can save more than $1,000 in many cases by shopping for car insurance.

A survey of 26 companies shows that such firms as Hawkeye-Security Insurance Co. and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. offer some of the lowest rates.

Lower rates are charged by United Services Automobile Association and USAA Casualty Insurance Company but those policies are available only to military and dependents.

Among those charging the highest rates were Nevada General Insurance Co. and Dairyland Insurance Co.

The report shows insurance rates continue to be higher in the Las Vegas area than in Reno, Carson City and rural Nevada.

The guide offers examples of both single and married middle-aged motorists with various records. For the survey, the insurance division used a 1998 Ford Taurus sedan.

The sample policy purchased was for $15,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage; $250 deductible collision and $250 deductible comprehensive; $1,000 per accident medical payments and $15,000 per person for coverage from an uninsured motorist.

For a 50-year old single male with a clean record who drives less than 12,000 miles annually and lives in suburban Las Vegas in the 89128 zip code, the lowest rate was $776 offered by Hawkeye-Security and the highest of $2,424 by Dairyland Insurance.

For the same driver who lives in the Clark County zip code area of 89005, the low rate of $623 was offered by Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance and the high of $1,932 came from Nevada General Insurance Co.

For a 17-year-old female with a good record with drivers education who is on her father's policy and who lives in the 89128 zip code area of Las Vegas, the low rate was $1,580 from Hawkeye-Security and the high rate was $4,704 from Nevada General Insurance Co.

For the same driver in the Clark County zip code area of 89005, the low rate was $1,216 by Country Mutual Insurance Co. and the high of $4,452 by Nevada General Insurance Co.

The guide says the low rate for a 65-year-old married retired couple with a good record living in the 89128 zip code area of Las Vegas is $727 from Colonial Penn Franklin Insurance Co., and the high rate was $2,226 by Dairyland.

The same couple living in the Clark County zip code area of 89005 would pay a low rate of $520 for Colonial Penn and a high of $2,016 for Nevada General Insurance.

Molasky-Arman cautions consumers to call her division and verify that the agent they are dealing with is licensed in Nevada. "Business cards are not proof of a licensed insurance agent or company," she said.

"If you do business with an unlicensed agent or company, you have no guarantee that the coverage you pay for will ever be honored."

She also said there is no grace period on insurance premium payments. If a payment is due the 15th of the month, it must be received on or before that date. If there is a lapse, the premium may be increased.

The consumer guides are available free from the division with its offices in Las Vegas (2501 East Sahara Avenue, Room 302). Or the consumer can get one by calling 486-4009 in Las Vegas and selecting either the "1" or the "3" option.

Guides are also available in Carson City by calling 800 992-0900.