Las Vegas drivers share frustrations over rising auto insurance rates

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Las Vegas drivers spoke with 8 News Now Wednesday about rising auto insurance rates as state records show another increase on the horizon later this year.

“It’s just been really hard,” driver Randi Castillo Lessard said. “Everything is going up.”

Many drivers shared their frustrations over rising costs as insurance premiums across Nevada are seeing a spike in 2024.

“Last year was around 20, 30 bucks,” driver Mesoud Rezaei said of his rate increase. “I don’t know why this year it’s raised a lot.”

The Nevada Division of Insurance signed off on an upcoming rate change for several major insurance companies, affecting thousands across the valley.

Most are set to take effect in October and November with the hikes between 25% and 31%.

“They said everybody’s insurance went up,” Castillo Lessard said. “So it’s kind of making it hard to even drive anymore.”

“Perfect driving record, my husband has a perfect driving record,” she explained. “I have no idea why.”

A report released by Insurify listed several reasons for this, citing higher vehicle repair costs and damage from more severe and frequent weather events around the country.

Nevada, on average, has also long been known as a state with some of the highest rates in the U.S.

“We have to pay it, it’s so hard,” Rezaei said. “Everything is hard right now.”

To stay behind the wheel, people told 8 News Now that they had no choice but to push through and hope for some relief in the future.

Most of the premium hikes listed apply to general private passenger auto plans.

A few companies, like American Family Insurance, are expected to see recreational vehicle and motorcycle insurance rates go down in the coming months.

Experts recommend shopping around and looking for cheaper rates from different companies if a premium is set to go up.

In addition, keeping a clean driving record will also help keep costs down.

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