If you’re 55 or older and drive in Nevada, taking an approved defensive driving course could help lower your auto insurance premium and keep you abreast on the rules of the road.
The AARP Smart Driver™ Course is designed for older drivers and provides a refresher on safe driving, Nevada traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, and navigating today’s roads.
Even better, Nevada law provides a three-year auto insurance premium reduction for eligible drivers age 55+ who complete an approved traffic safety course. The actual discount varies by insurance company.
How Much Does the AARP Course Cost?AARP Smart Driver classroom courses in the Las Vegas area are typically:
$20 for AARP members
$25 for non-members

Where Can You Take the Course in Las Vegas?AARP offers classes throughout Las Vegas and Henderson, including local recreation and community centers. Dates and locations change, so the easiest option is to use AARP’s Smart Driver course locator to find an upcoming class near you. https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/auto/driver-safety/
Don’t Forget to Send Us Your Certificate!Once you complete the course, send your certificate to Blue Sky Insurance so we can make sure any eligible discount is applied to your auto policy.
Already took the course? The Nevada insurance discount generally lasts three years, so check the date on your certificate—it may be time to renew!
Looking for ways to save on auto insurance in Las Vegas? Give the team at Blue Sky Insurance a call. We’re always happy to review your policy and make sure you’re receiving the discounts you qualify for.
Written by:
Amy Miller/Agency Owner
Blue Sky Insurance Group

A common misconception among Nevada business owners is that if someone is paid on a 1099, they are automatically considered an independent contractor.

For workers' compensation insurance, it isn't always that simple.

Insurance companies look at the actual working relationship - not just how the person is paid. Some of the questions that may matter include:

• Who controls when and how the work is performed?
• Does the worker use their own equipment?
• Do they work for other businesses?
• Is the work part of the normal operations of the company?
• Does the worker carry their own workers' compensation insurance?

This becomes particularly important at the end of the policy year when the insurance company performs its workers' compensation audit.

A Las Vegas business may begin the year assuming certain workers are independent contractors, only to have the insurance company include some of those payments as payroll during the audit. That can result in a significant additional premium.
The important takeaway: issuing someone a 1099 doesn't necessarily settle the workers' compensation question.

If your Nevada business regularly uses subcontractors or independent contractors, it is worth discussing the arrangement with your insurance agent before the audit rather than after you receive an unexpected bill.

Blue Sky Insurance works with businesses throughout Las Vegas and Nevada on workers' compensation insurance and audit questions.
​
Written By:
Stephen Miller/Agency Owner
Blue Sky Insurance Group

If you're on Medicare in Las Vegas, your mailbox is probably starting to look a little… crowded.
Medicare advertisements. Postcards. Flyers. Letters marked “IMPORTANT.” More postcards. And probably a few envelopes featuring very happy-looking retirees walking on a beach. 😄
It's tempting to toss the whole pile into the recycling bin.
But there's one piece of Medicare mail you definitely want to keep: your Annual Notice of Change, or ANOC.
What Is a Medicare ANOC?
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan, your plan sends you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each fall.
And unlike most of the Medicare mail filling your mailbox, this one is actually about the Medicare plan you currently have. And it's important because your ANOC explains what is changing with your coverage for the upcoming year.
Think of it as your Medicare plan saying:
“Hey… before you automatically keep me for another year, there are a few things you should know.”
And those “few things” can be pretty important! Look for changes to copay's, deductibles and ancillary benefits like dental coverage.

Your Medicare Plan Can Change Every Year
One of the most common things we hear from our Las Vegas Medicare clients is:
“I like my plan, so I'm just going to keep it.” And you absolutely may decide to keep it—but let's make sure you still like the new version of it first!
Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans can make changes from year to year. Your ANOC can alert you to changes involving:

• Monthly premiums
• Doctor and specialist copays
• Hospital costs
• Prescription drug coverage and costs
• Maximum out-of-pocket limits
• Dental, vision, hearing and other additional benefits

A Medicare plan that worked beautifully for you this year may still be a great fit next year. Or a few changes could mean it's worth comparing your other Medicare options in Las Vegas. That's exactly why an annual Medicare review is so important.

Pay Special Attention to Your Prescriptions.
This is a big one. The annual out of pocket maximum for prescription is going up from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027.  Once a member reaches the $2,400 threshold, they enter the catastrophic phase and have $0 cost sharing for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year.

Medicare Annual Enrollment in Las Vegas Is Almost Here
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. This is your opportunity to review your Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage and determine whether your current plan still fits your needs for the upcoming year.

At Blue Sky Insurance, we help Medicare members throughout Las Vegas and Southern Nevada review their coverage, compare available Medicare options and understand what's changing—without making Medicare more complicated than it needs to be.

Ready to Start Your Las Vegas Medicare Review?
You don't have to wait until October 15 to start getting organized. Start your Medicare review with Blue Sky Insurance here: 
https://www.sunfirematrix.com/app/blazesync/medicareadvocates/17929301/2025/#/blazesync/launch
You can enter your  providers and prescriptions ahead of time so we'll have the information needed to help review your Medicare options for 2027. You can even schedule a phone, zoom or in office appointment here: calendly.com/amyblueskyinsurance

Whether you're happy with your current Medicare plan or wondering if there's a better fit, an annual review can help you make an informed decision.
So when that ANOC arrives…Open it. Read it. Keep it.

And then you have our permission to recycle the other 47 Medicare postcards that showed up this week. 😉

Written by:
Amy Miller
Blue Sky Insurance/Agency Owner